Roofing Tips & Maintenance

How to Make Your Insurance Pay What You Deserve for Roof Damage

June 9, 2025
byChaz Polson

A Colorado Homeowner’s Guide to Getting the Coverage You’re Owed

If your roof has been damaged by hail, wind, or storms — welcome to the club. Living in Colorado means your home will likely face severe weather at some point. And when that happens, your insurance is supposed to help cover the cost of repairs or replacement. But if you’ve ever dealt with a claim, you know it’s rarely that simple.

At APE Roofing, we’ve helped countless Colorado homeowners get the full value they deserve from their insurance policies. We know the tricks, the loopholes, and the common mistakes that lead to underpaid or denied claims — and how to avoid them.

Here’s how to make sure your insurance pays what you’re actually owed when your roof is damaged.

Call a Roofer Before You Call Your Insurance

Insurance companies send adjusters who work for them. Their job is to minimize the payout. When you call APE Roofing first, we send out a trained storm damage expert to inspect your roof and document all the damage from your perspective — not the insurance company’s.

We create a detailed inspection report, complete with photos, that can be used to support your claim.

Document Everything — Immediately

Take pictures of:

Roof shingles, gutters, and siding
Hailstones (if possible) and debris on the ground
Interior ceiling stains or leaks

Write down the date and time of the storm, and save any local weather alerts or news reports. The more proof you have, the stronger your claim.

Understand What Your Policy Really Covers

Most policies include coverage for hail and wind damage, but there are two major types of coverage:

RCV (Replacement Cost Value): Covers the full cost to replace your roof
ACV (Actual Cash Value): Pays out depreciated value (less money for older roofs)

Not sure which one you have? Let us review your policy with you. We do this for free, and it’s one of the easiest ways to prevent a lowball payout.

Be Ready to Challenge the First Oﬀer

It’s common for insurance adjusters to miss damage or undervalue repairs. Don’t accept their first estimate without a second opinion. At APE Roofing, we work directly with insurance companies to ensure:

All damage is accounted for
Fair market pricing is used
Code upgrades and local permit costs are included

We’ll even meet the adjuster at your property to advocate on your behalf — at no cost to you.

Don’t Pay Out-of-Pocket Until You Have To

If your claim is valid, you should only be responsible for your deductible — not the full replacement cost. Be cautious of contractors who ask you to pay upfront or promise to “waive your deductible” (that’s illegal in Colorado).

With APE Roofing, you get honest, compliant guidance from a local company that puts your interests first.

Bonus Tip: Work With a Roofer Who Knows the Insurance Process

This might be the most important step. Most roofers just fix roofs — but APE Roofing helps you through the insurance maze. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in Northern Colorado get the fair compensation they deserve, and we’ll do the same for you.

Don’t Leave Money on the Table

Roof damage is stressful — fighting your insurance company doesn’t have to be. If your home’s been hit by hail or storm damage, let APE Roofing walk you through the process, from inspection to payout to final repair.

APE Roofing

Colorado Tough. Built to Perform.

No Monkey Business.

Author: Chaz Polson

Born and raised in Colorado, Chaz Polson brings a lifelong commitment to hard work, discipline, and community. As a former NCAA athlete and professional MMA fighter, he leads APE Roofing with the same drive—delivering trusted service, honest work, and lasting results.