Your Complete Insurance Claims Guide
From first inspection to final completion — expert guidance for every step of a Colorado or Wyoming roof insurance claim, written by a team that has worked both sides of the claims table.
Expertise you can count on.
Sorensen Roofing & Restoration brings a rare combination of expertise to every insurance claim: our owner has worked as both a licensed insurance agent and a certified insurance adjuster. We understand exactly how carriers evaluate damage — and we document every project to meet that standard.
Brian Sorensen brings a unique perspective that very few roofing contractors can offer: a background as both a licensed insurance agent and a certified insurance adjuster. Having worked on both sides of the claims process, Brian understands exactly how adjusters evaluate damage, how scopes are written, and what documentation insurers require to approve full replacement. This means every inspection is structured to meet the carrier's own standards — giving you the best chance of a complete, approved claim.
Elite certification status with five leading manufacturers.
Sorensen Roofing holds elite certification status with the industry's leading manufacturers — qualifying you for extended, transferable warranties that most contractors simply cannot offer.
| TAMKO — Pro Platinum | Platinum-level installation certification enabling access to TAMKO's best-in-class extended warranty programs. |
| Malarkey — Emerald Premium Pro | Malarkey's highest certification tier for installation excellence and product expertise. |
| GAF — Certified Plus | Certified Plus Residential Roofing Contractor status with access to GAF's enhanced warranty coverage options. |
| Owens Corning — Preferred Contractor | Preferred Contractor status, including access to TruDefinition® Duration® IR shingles. |
| CertainTeed — Certified Contractor | Access to the SureStart PLUS™ extended warranty program for qualifying installations. |
- All certifications are current and verified — ask for manufacturer warranty documentation at any time.
- Extended warranties on qualifying systems are fully transferable if you sell your home — a proven selling advantage.
- These warranty offerings represent the best available coverage in the industry for each product line installed.
From first call to Certificate of Completion — step by step.
Free Storm Damage Inspection
A specialist performs a thorough inspection of your roof, siding, gutters, and exterior at no cost. Every impact point is documented with photos and measurements using the 27-Point ClaimForge™ Protocol — built to meet Xactimate/Symbility documentation standards, the estimating platforms most insurance carriers use to price claims.
ClaimForge Evidence Package Delivered
You receive the completed ClaimForge™ Evidence Package — full photo documentation, measurements, and findings. This is your documentation to keep. The decision of whether to file a claim is entirely yours; a contractor does not advise for or against filing.
You File Your Claim
You contact your insurance carrier to open the claim, using the storm date, documented findings, and inspection report to accompany your filing. You remain in full control of your claim at all times.
Adjuster Inspection
Your insurer schedules an adjuster visit. A Sorensen representative is available to meet the adjuster on-site, walk through the property, and answer technical questions about materials and installation standards.
Scope of Loss Review
Once the insurer issues their Scope of Loss (typically an Xactimate or Symbility estimate), it's reviewed against the inspection report. If covered items were missed or undervalued, a Supplement documentation package is prepared for your review and submission.
Contract & Material Selection
Once the scope is confirmed, you sign a production agreement and choose from premium certified product lines — Class 4 IR, DECRA Steel, Metal Roofing, or Stone-Coated Metal. Permitting and crew scheduling are handled for you.
Installation & Completion
Your new roof is installed by a certified crew, typically in 1–2 days, with photo documentation completed at every stage. Your Certificate of Completion is issued within 24 hours — required to release your Recoverable Depreciation.
What the numbers mean, and what you actually receive.
When hail damages your property, your insurer typically uses a standardized estimating platform — most commonly Xactimate or Symbility — to calculate repair or replacement cost. Most homeowners are surprised to learn their first check is not the full amount: the initial payment covers only Actual Cash Value (ACV), and the remaining Recoverable Depreciation is released only after completed work is confirmed with a Certificate of Completion.
| Replacement Cost Value (RCV) | The full cost to repair or replace damaged property with new materials of like kind and quality — without any deduction for age or wear. |
| Actual Cash Value (ACV) | RCV minus depreciation. Your first payment from the insurer, reflecting the depreciated value based on age and condition. |
| Depreciation | A reduction applied to material value based on age, expected lifespan, and condition. A 15-year-old roof carries more depreciation than a 3-year-old roof. |
| Recoverable Depreciation | The amount held back by the insurer until repairs are completed. Once a Certificate of Completion is submitted, this amount is released — most RCV policies include this. |
| Non-Recoverable Depreciation | On ACV-only policies, depreciation cannot be recovered. The ACV check is the final payment. Knowing your policy type before filing is critical. |
| Deductible | Your share of the claim before insurance pays. Colorado and Wyoming law require deductibles be collected — no contractor may legally waive or absorb it. |
| Supplement | Additional documentation submitted when items are missed or undervalued in the original Scope of Loss — a normal part of the process, reviewed by your carrier. |
Payment Breakdown — An Illustrative Example
Important disclaimer: Every insurance policy is different — the example below is for illustration only and does not represent a specific coverage determination. As a roofing contractor, Sorensen is not licensed to determine your coverage or interpret your policy on the insurer's behalf; UPPA does not permit contractors to act in this capacity — only your insurance carrier or a licensed Public Adjuster can determine what your specific policy covers.
The table below illustrates how a typical RCV insurance payment might flow for a $22,000 roof replacement — figures are illustrative only and will vary by policy:
| Replacement Cost Value (RCV) | $22,000 |
| minus Depreciation (age / condition) | − $4,500 |
| Actual Cash Value (ACV) | $17,500 |
| minus Your Deductible | − $2,500 |
| First Check (ACV − Deductible) | $15,000 |
| After completion — Recoverable Depreciation released | + $4,500 |
| Total Insurance Payout | $19,500 |
| Your Out-of-Pocket (deductible only) | $2,500 |
RCV vs. ACV Policy — Know Your Coverage
| Feature | RCV — Replacement Cost Value | ACV — Actual Cash Value |
|---|---|---|
| First Payment | ACV (depreciation held back) | ACV — this is the final payment |
| Recoverable Depreciation | ✔ Yes — released after completion | ✘ No — not recoverable |
| Total Payout | Full RCV minus deductible | ACV minus deductible only |
| Best For | Maximum coverage — most homes carry this | Lower premium; limited payout |
Helping you make a confident, informed decision.
Money & Cost Questions
“What is this going to cost me?”
For a covered insurance claim, your only out-of-pocket cost is your deductible — the fixed amount specified in your policy. The insurance carrier pays everything above that, priced to the carrier-approved Xactimate scope, so there are no surprise costs.
“My deductible feels too high.”
Your deductible is a fixed obligation that exists regardless of whether you file a claim. The cost of leaving hail-damaged materials on your home — interior water damage, accelerated aging, potential mold — almost always far exceeds the deductible.
“I don't want my rates to go up.”
Colorado and Wyoming classify hail as an “Act of God” or weather event. Most carriers are legally restricted from raising your premium solely based on a weather-related claim.
“I'll just pay out of pocket.”
A full roof replacement at industry-standard pricing typically runs $20,000–$30,000 for an average-sized home. A ClaimForge Evidence Package gives you full documentation to make that decision for yourself.
Process & Timing Questions
“I don't want the hassle of dealing with insurance.”
That's exactly why documentation, inspection reports, Scope of Loss review, and Supplement requests are handled for you — you make the decisions, the paperwork is managed.
“I'll wait and see if it gets worse.”
Roof damage accelerates quickly. Water infiltration typically begins within 30–60 days of unrepaired hail damage. Most policies also have time limits — typically 1 year from the date of loss — to file.
“The insurance company already said there's no damage.”
Adjusters cover many properties quickly after a storm and can miss subtle functional damage. You have the right to request a re-inspection, supported by an independent evidence package.
“I just had my roof done a few years ago.”
Even recently installed roofs can sustain functional damage from a severe hail event. The question is whether hail impacted materials hard enough to cause loss of function — not whether the roof looks new.
Trust & Contractor Concerns
“I've been burned by contractors before.”
A transparent process means a written scope before work begins, photo documentation at every stage, and no payment requests outside the approved carrier scope.
“I want to get multiple bids.”
All insurance work in Colorado and Wyoming is priced to the same Xactimate database your carrier uses — the scope and price are established by the insurer. What varies is documentation quality, certification level, and communication.
“What if my claim gets denied?”
A well-documented inspection significantly reduces denial risk. If denied, you have the right to appeal, request a re-inspection, or invoke the Appraisal Clause in your policy.
What Colorado law requires your insurance company to do.
Colorado Senate Bill 38 (SB38), enacted in 2008, was designed to protect Colorado homeowners from unfair insurance claim handling. SB38 applies to all residential property insurance claims in Colorado — including roofing, siding, gutters, windows, and any other exterior component listed in your policy.
- Provide a written, itemized Scope of Loss (Xactimate estimate) within a reasonable timeframe.
- Pay the full Replacement Cost Value (RCV) for RCV-policy holders — not just the ACV.
- Re-inspect the property when a licensed contractor provides documentation of additional covered damage.
- Process supplemental claims for items missed during the initial adjustment.
- Not apply profit and overhead exclusions that prevent proper contractor compensation.
- Provide written denial explanations citing specific policy language if any claim item is denied.
Know your rights: you can request a re-inspection at any time before the claim closes; you can hire a licensed Public Adjuster to negotiate on your behalf; you can invoke the Appraisal Clause if you dispute the insurer's valuation. Your contractor cannot legally waive your deductible. Most Colorado policies allow 1–2 years from the date of loss to file a claim. If you believe your insurer has not handled your claim in accordance with SB38, you may file a complaint with the Colorado Division of Insurance at doi.colorado.gov or by calling 1-800-930-3745.
Insurance claim rights for Wyoming homeowners.
Wyoming does not have a statute equivalent to Colorado's SB38, but Wyoming property owners are protected by the Wyoming Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act (W.S. §26-13-124) and the terms of their homeowner's policy.
| Prompt Acknowledgment | Insurers must acknowledge your claim within 10 working days of receipt. |
| Fair Investigation | Your insurer must conduct a reasonable investigation based on all available information before making any coverage decision. |
| Timely Payment | Once a claim is accepted, payment must be issued promptly. Unreasonable delays are prohibited. |
| Written Denial | Any denial must be provided in writing with specific reasons citing your policy language. |
| Appraisal Rights | Most Wyoming policies include an Appraisal Clause to challenge the insurer's valuation independently. |
| No Misrepresentation | Insurers cannot misrepresent policy provisions, coverages, or benefits to settle claims for less than owed. |
Wyoming policies typically carry a 1-year statute of limitations from the date of loss — file promptly. Sorensen serves Cheyenne and surrounding Wyoming communities with the same ClaimForge inspection standard used in Colorado.
Unauthorized Practice of Public Adjusting: what it means for you.
UPPA establishes clear legal limits on what a roofing contractor may do versus what requires a licensed Public Adjuster. Contractors who cross the UPPA boundary expose homeowners to potential policy voiding, fraud allegations, and denied claims.
✔ What A Contractor CAN Do
- Perform a free storm damage inspection and provide written findings.
- Explain general policy types and how the claims process typically works.
- Provide a written repair or replacement estimate for review.
- Be available to meet the adjuster on-site for technical questions.
- Prepare and submit supplemental documentation as the contracted company.
- Communicate with the insurer about scope and pricing — from a contractor perspective.
- Issue a Certificate of Completion to support release of Recoverable Depreciation.
- Offer financing for the deductible or uncovered costs — separate from the claim.
✘ What A Contractor CANNOT Do
- Negotiate your claim settlement directly with the insurer (requires a PA license).
- Waive, absorb, discount, or forgive your deductible — this is insurance fraud in CO and WY.
- Provide a “deductible credit” through inflated billing or any mechanism.
- Sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) transferring your policy rights.
- Act as your Public Adjuster without a valid PA license.
- Make false or misleading statements to your insurer about damage.
- Apply pressure or threats to secure a contract.
Protect yourself: if any contractor offers to “cover your deductible,” “work with insurance for free,” or “make the insurance pay for everything including your deductible” — this is a major red flag. These practices are illegal and can result in your entire claim being voided.
The document that unlocks your final depreciation payment.
After your roof is installed and passes final inspection, a Certificate of Completion (COC) is issued — required by your insurer to release your Recoverable Depreciation payment, often the largest single check in the entire claims process.
Installation Complete
Crew completes your roof to the full approved scope; final walkthrough performed.
Photo Documentation
Completion photos taken and uploaded to your project file — every phase, every detail.
COC Issued
Your signed Certificate of Completion is issued within 24 hours of project completion.
Submit To Insurer
You submit the COC to your insurance carrier along with your claim number.
Depreciation Check Released
Your insurer releases the held Recoverable Depreciation — typically within 10–15 business days.
Straight answers on Colorado & Wyoming roof claims.
Will filing a hail claim raise my insurance rates?
What is the difference between RCV and ACV policies?
How long does the process take from start to finish?
What if the insurer's estimate is lower than the actual cost?
Do I need to be home during installation?
Are extended warranties transferable if I sell my home?
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