Colorado law gives homeowners a limited window to file a storm damage claim, and missing it can mean paying for a new roof entirely out of pocket. Here is what every Colorado Springs homeowner needs to know.
The Storm Damage Claim Window Is Two Years
Under Colorado law, homeowners generally have two years from the date of a storm to file a property insurance claim for hail or wind damage. After that window closes, your insurer can deny the claim outright, leaving you responsible for the full cost of repairs or replacement.
Why Damage Is Easy to Miss
Hail rarely leaves obvious holes. Instead it bruises shingles, fractures the mat beneath the surface, and knocks away the protective granules that shield your roof from UV and water. These problems are invisible from the ground and often go unnoticed until leaks appear, sometimes long after the claim deadline has passed.
Document the Storm Early
The single best protection is a professional inspection soon after any significant storm. Fixins documents every affected element to adjuster standards, creating a dated record that supports your claim even if you decide to file later. A free inspection now can preserve thousands of dollars in coverage.
How Fixins Helps
As a licensed General Contractor, Fixins manages the entire claim, documenting roof, siding, gutters, and interior damage under a single storm event. We work directly with your adjuster to ensure the full scope of legitimate damage is recognized before your window closes.
What Counts as the Date of Loss
The two-year window runs from the date the damage occurred, not the date you noticed it. That distinction matters in a hail market, because a roof can take a hit in June and not show a ceiling stain until the following spring. Storm history for your specific address can be reconstructed from weather records, and an experienced inspector can often match damage patterns to a particular event.
When multiple storms have crossed a neighborhood, attributing damage to the right event becomes part of the claim itself, and it is another reason early documentation is so valuable.
If the Deadline Is Getting Close
If you suspect your roof was hit and the storm is aging toward the two-year mark, the path is simple and fast: get a documented inspection now, file with the evidence attached, and let the insurer's clock stop with the claim on record. Filing before the deadline preserves your rights even while scope discussions continue afterward.
Fixins offers free inspections for exactly this situation and can usually document a roof within days of your call, so a deadline never turns into a forfeited claim.
Common Questions
How long does an inspection take?
Most residential roof inspections take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size and complexity of the roof.
What if you find storm damage?
We document it with dated photos to adjuster standards and explain your options, including filing an insurance claim before Colorado’s two-year window closes.
Should I get inspected even without obvious damage?
Yes. Hail damage is usually invisible from the ground. An inspection after any significant storm protects you from surprises and preserves your claim rights.