Residential Roofing
How to Read Your Homeowners Policy Before Hail Season in Colorado
By Ryan Sanchez, Commercial Roofing Contractor · July 10, 2026
- Insurance Claims
- Hail Damage
- Homeowner Guide
Quick Answer: Before hail season, pull out your policy and check four things: your wind/hail deductible (often a percentage, not a flat dollar amount), whether your roof is covered on RCV or ACV, any roof surfaces or cosmetic exclusions in your endorsements, and the claim deadline. Knowing these now means no surprises after a storm, when it is too late to change coverage.
Nobody reads their homeowners policy until they have to, and after a Colorado hail storm is the worst time to learn what it says. Ten minutes with your Declarations page today can save you thousands and a lot of stress later. Here is your four-point policy audit.
- 1Your wind & hail deductibleDeclarations pageOften a percentage of your dwelling coverage, not the flat dollar amount you remember.
- 2RCV or ACV roof coverageCoverage termsDecides whether depreciation is subtracted from what the insurer actually pays you.
- 3Roof exclusionsEndorsementsRoof-surfaces ACV schedules and cosmetic-damage exclusions hide in the fine print.
- 4Claim deadlinePolicy conditionsPrompt-notice rules and a filing window, sometimes one year from the date of loss.
1. Find Your Wind and Hail Deductible
Start with your Declarations page, the summary page at the front of your policy. Many Colorado insurers now apply a separate wind/hail deductible that is higher than your standard deductible, and it is frequently written as a percentage of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A), not a flat amount.
Here is how that math plays out.
| Dwelling coverage (Coverage A) | Wind/hail deductible | You pay before insurance |
|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | 1% | $4,000 |
| $500,000 | 2% | $10,000 |
| $600,000 | 5% | $30,000 |
2. Know Whether Your Roof Is RCV or ACV
This is the single most important coverage distinction for a roof. It decides whether depreciation comes out of your pocket.
Replacement Cost Value (RCV)
- Pays what it costs to replace the roof today, minus your deductible
- Depreciation is held back at first, then released once the work is done
- Worth the higher premium in hail country
Actual Cash Value (ACV)
- Pays replacement cost minus depreciation for age and wear
- That depreciation is not recoverable
- On an older roof, leaves a large gap you pay yourself
Many carriers move older roofs to ACV, so a 15-year-old roof that seemed fully covered may only pay a fraction of replacement cost. If you have a choice at renewal, RCV roof coverage is worth the higher premium in hail country. The RCV vs ACV split also shapes what you actually pay out of pocket on a replacement, which we cover in our roof replacement cost guide.
3. Read the Endorsements for Roof Exclusions
The fine print that trips people up is usually in the endorsements, the pages that modify your base policy. Watch for two in particular.
- Roof surfaces endorsement (ACV schedule): schedules just the roof on an ACV or payment-schedule basis by age, even if the rest of the home is RCV.
- Cosmetic damage exclusion: denies damage that is cosmetic and does not cause a leak. This matters most for metal roofs, where hail dents may be excluded.
Insurers often add these at renewal, so re-read your endorsements every year rather than assuming this year's policy matches last year's.
4. Check the Claim Deadline and Notice Requirements
Policies require prompt notice of a loss and typically set a filing window, sometimes one year from the date of damage. The catch with hail is that damage is often invisible from the ground, so homeowners miss it until the roof starts leaking, sometimes after the window has closed. The fix is simple: get a roof inspection after any significant storm so damage is documented while the claim is still valid.
Put It Together Before the Storm
Take ten minutes now and write down four things from your policy: your wind/hail deductible, whether your roof is RCV or ACV, any roof endorsements or exclusions, and your claim deadline. Keep them somewhere you can find them. When a storm does hit, our first-48-hours hail checklist walks through the exact steps to take next.
Commercial Roofing Contractor handles storm-damage inspections and manages the insurance claim process alongside homeowners across Colorado. Our Denver office serves the Denver Metro and Front Range, and our Grand Junction office serves the Western Slope.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find my wind and hail deductible?
Look at your policy Declarations page, usually the first page. Many Colorado policies list a separate wind/hail deductible that is different from your standard all-perils deductible. It is often shown as a percentage of the dwelling coverage (Coverage A) rather than a flat dollar amount.
What is the difference between RCV and ACV coverage?
Replacement Cost Value (RCV) pays what it costs to replace your roof today, minus your deductible. Actual Cash Value (ACV) pays replacement cost minus depreciation for the roof's age and wear, which can leave a large gap you cover yourself. On an RCV policy the depreciation is usually recoverable once the work is completed.
How much is a percentage hail deductible in Colorado?
If your dwelling coverage is $500,000 and your wind/hail deductible is 2 percent, your deductible is $10,000. Percentage deductibles of 1 to 5 percent have become common in Colorado, so a homeowner expecting an old $1,000 flat deductible can be surprised. Always confirm the exact figure on your Declarations page.
Can an insurer put my roof on an ACV or cosmetic-only basis?
Yes. Some Colorado policies include a roof surfaces endorsement that schedules the roof on ACV, or a cosmetic damage exclusion that denies dents that do not cause leaks (common on metal roofs). These clauses are often added at renewal, so read your endorsements each year, not just when you buy the policy.
Does my policy have a deadline to file a hail claim?
Most policies require prompt notice and set a window to file after a loss, sometimes one year from the date of damage. Because hail damage is not always visible from the ground, get an inspection after a significant storm so you do not miss the window.
Should I call my insurer or a roofer first after hail?
Get an independent roof inspection first so you know whether you have real, claimable damage before you open a claim. Filing a claim that gets denied still counts as a claim on your record. A reputable roofer can tell you if the damage justifies filing.
Get an Independent Storm Inspection
Not sure whether you have claimable damage, or what your policy actually covers? Start with an independent inspection. Call Denver at (720) 893-7663 or Grand Junction at (970) 877-7663, or request a free roof inspection.