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Colorado’s hail season usually starts in April and runs through August, with the most damaging storms often hitting the Front Range in May and June. The May 8, 2017 hailstorm that struck the west Denver metro area caused roughly $2.3 billion in insured losses, the most expensive insured catastrophe in Colorado history, according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association. A few steps this spring can make a big difference.

Check Your Coverage Before the First Storm

Know your wind and hail deductible. Many Colorado policies use a percentage, such as 1% or 2% of your dwelling coverage. On a $500,000 home, 2% is $10,000.
Know how your roof is covered, at replacement cost or actual cash value.
Check your car’s Comprehensive deductible. Comprehensive coverage is what pays for hail damage to your vehicle. Liability-only policies don’t cover it.
Update your home inventory with photos of your roof, siding, windows, and cars before storm season.

Protect Your Car

Clear space in the garage now so both cars fit.
Sign up for weather alerts and watch the afternoon forecast. Most Front Range hail falls between noon and evening.
If you’re caught driving, pull into a parking garage or under a gas station canopy. Don’t stop under an overpass, which creates a traffic hazard.
Keep a hail cover or thick blankets in the car if you can’t park indoors.

Protect Your Home

Trim branches that hang over the roof.
Clean gutters and downspouts so heavy rain can drain.
Bring in patio furniture and grills when storms are forecast.
If you’re replacing your roof, ask about Class 4 impact-resistant materials and the discount they may earn. See our article on impact-resistant roofs.

After the Storm: Watch for Storm Chasers

Out-of-town contractors often go door to door after big hailstorms. Colorado law protects homeowners:

Roofing contracts must be in writing.
Roofers can’t pay, waive, or rebate your insurance deductible, or advertise that they will.
You generally have 72 hours to cancel a roofing contract, and 72 hours after your insurer denies the claim.

Get more than one estimate, check reviews and local licensing, and call us before you sign anything.

Filing a Hail Claim

Photograph damage to your roof, siding, windows, and cars from the ground. Don’t climb on the roof.
Make temporary repairs, such as tarping, to prevent more damage, and save receipts.
Report the claim promptly. Policies set deadlines for reporting storm damage, and damage is easier to document when it’s fresh.

Learn more about home insurance and auto insurance.

Sources

Have questions about your coverage? Call Johnson Insurance Agency at 303-768-8130 or stop by our office at 14 Inverness Dr. E, Suite G236, in Englewood. We compare coverage from multiple carriers for families and businesses across the Denver metro area and Colorado.