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Colorado insurance guide · Updated Oct 22, 2026
Colorado roof insurance claims, explained.Every term, in plain English.
ACV, RCV, depreciation, roof payment schedules, cosmetic exclusions, hail deductibles and your rights under Colorado law. Plus a free policy check before you file.
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The main thing
Read your policy before you file. It decides your check.
Two neighbors with the same hail can get very different checks because their policies are different. The Colorado Division of Insurance notes a policy can pay replacement cost on the house and only actual cash value on the roof (DOI / NAIC Claims Guide). Below is every term you'll run into, with a plain-English box under each.
Find out before you file, free policy check
What we go over with you
- Your wind/hail deductible, in dollars
- Replacement cost, ACV or a roof schedule
- Cosmetic or marring endorsements
- Ordinance or Law coverage
- A photo inspection of your roof
Plain-English glossary
How will my insurance pay for my roof?
RCV (Replacement Cost Value)
The cost to repair or replace damaged property with new material, without subtracting for age.
Source: Colorado DOI / NAIC Claims Guide
ACV (Actual Cash Value)
Replacement cost minus depreciation.
Source: Colorado DOI / NAIC Claims Guide
Depreciation
The amount taken off for age and wear.
Source: Colorado DOI / NAIC Claims Guide
Recoverable depreciation
On many replacement cost policies, the insurer pays the depreciated amount first and releases the held-back depreciation after the work is done.
Roof paid differently than the house
A policy can pay replacement cost on the home but only ACV on the roof.
Source: Colorado DOI / NAIC Claims Guide
Allstate Roof Surfaces Endorsement (Roof Surface Payment Schedule)
Allstate form AVP84. For wind or hail roof damage, Allstate pays the smallest of: the repair cost, a percentage of roof replacement cost based on roof age and material, or the dwelling limit. The deductible applies on top, and code upgrades are not included.
Source: Allstate Roof Surfaces Endorsement AVP84 (agency copy, 2015 edition) · Allstate schedule guide + calculator
American Family roof coverage
American Family's base home policy pays ACV on roofs; replacement cost for wind and hail is an add-on if your roof qualifies by age and type.
Takeaways
- Find "replacement cost" or "actual cash value" on your declarations page.
- Look for a separate roof endorsement, like Allstate's AVP84.
- Older roof + ACV or a schedule = a bigger gap you pay.
Plain-English glossary
What will I pay out of pocket?
Percentage wind/hail deductible
Many Colorado policies set the wind/hail deductible as a percentage of your dwelling coverage, for example 1%, 2% or 5%.
Deductible waivers are illegal
Under C.R.S. 6-22-105, a Colorado roofer can't advertise or promise to pay, waive or rebate any part of your insurance deductible.
Source: C.R.S. 6-22-105
Ordinance or law (code upgrade) coverage
Pays added costs caused by enforcing building codes when repairing or rebuilding. Colorado HB23-1174 requires insurers to offer this coverage on qualifying policies.
Source: HB23-1174 · Allstate AVP84 excludes code costs from schedule payments
Matching
Whether new material has to match undamaged areas.
Takeaways
- Know your wind/hail deductible in dollars before you file.
- No Colorado roofer can legally cover your deductible.
- Check for Ordinance or Law coverage and its limit.
Find out before you file, free policy check.
We read your declarations page with you and inspect the roof. Free, no obligation.
Plain-English glossary
Will dents in metal be covered?
Cosmetic damage exclusion
An endorsement that excludes hail or wind damage that only changes appearance (marring, pitting, dents) but still keeps water out. Standard industry versions (ISO HO 06 43 and HO 06 44) are available in Colorado.
State Farm metal roof exclusion
To get State Farm's premium discount for qualifying impact-resistant metal roofing, you must sign the "Exclusion of Cosmetic Loss to Metal Roof Covering Caused by Hail" endorsement. It's your choice.
Marring coverage (Foremost)
Foremost's dwelling-fire forms add "Marring Coverage Other Than Metal Roof Surface Material", which covers hail marring on metal gutters, downspouts, metal roof components, doors, windows, solar and HVAC, but not metal roof surfaces. It isn't available if the property had a paid hail loss in the last five years.
Source: Foremost dwelling fire forms highlights (national; Colorado availability not confirmed) · Farmers / Foremost metal guide
Takeaways
- Metal roof, gutters or siding? Search your endorsements for "cosmetic" or "marring".
- Leaks, punctures and broken seals are not cosmetic.
Plain-English glossary
What do these policy papers mean?
Declarations page
The summary page of your policy: coverage limits, deductibles and the list of endorsements.
Source: Colorado DOI / NAIC Claims Guide
Endorsement
A form that adds to, removes or changes your base policy.
3-business-day policy copy right
Under C.R.S. 10-4-110.8, a Colorado homeowner's insurer must make a copy of your policy, including declarations and endorsements, available within 3 business days of your request.
Source: C.R.S. 10-4-110.8
Supplement
A request to the insurer to add items that were missed or found later, such as damaged decking discovered at tear-off.
Appraisal
A process in many policies for settling disagreements about the amount of a loss, usually with each side choosing an appraiser and an umpire deciding.
Takeaways
- Ask for your full policy. You're entitled to it within 3 business days.
- The declarations page plus the endorsement list tells you most of the story.
Find out before you file, free policy check.
We read your declarations page with you and inspect the roof. Free, no obligation.
Plain-English glossary
What are my rights with a Colorado roofer?
72-hour cancel after signing
Colorado roofing contracts must let you cancel within 72 hours of signing and get a full refund of any deposit.
Source: C.R.S. 6-22-103
72-hour cancel after a denial
If you plan to pay with insurance, you can cancel within 72 hours after receiving a written denial (in whole or in part) from your insurer. The roofer must return payments within 10 days, except for work already done.
Source: C.R.S. 6-22-104
Deposit held in trust
The contract must state in bold that the roofer holds your payment in trust until materials are delivered or most of the work is done.
Source: C.R.S. 6-22-103
Roofers aren't adjusters
Colorado law says a roofer can't claim to be or act as a public adjuster. A roofer with a signed contract can discuss the scope of repairs with your insurer.
Source: C.R.S. 6-22-105(3)
Takeaways
- 3 days to cancel after signing.
- 3 days to cancel after a written denial.
- Your deposit is held in trust.
Colorado rulings & rules
What have Colorado courts and regulators said?
Appraisal can include causation
In BonBeck Parker v. Travelers (10th Cir. 2021), applying Colorado law, the court held that "amount of loss" in that policy's appraisal clause includes causation disputes, so appraisers could decide whether hail caused the disputed roof damage.
Source: BonBeck Parker, LLC v. Travelers, 14 F.4th 1169 (10th Cir. 2021)
Matching
In Bertisen v. Travelers (D. Colo. Sept. 8, 2023), a federal judge read an ambiguous policy in the homeowners' favor and held that it covered matching on a concrete tile roof.
Source: Bertisen v. Travelers Home & Marine, No. 20-cv-03650 (D. Colo.)
Aerial photos and nonrenewals
DOI Bulletin B-5.57 (effective March 16, 2026) says aerial imagery shouldn't be the sole basis for adverse actions such as nonrenewals or claim reductions. Separately, C.R.S. 10-4-110.7 requires 60 days' mailed notice, with reasons, before a homeowners nonrenewal.
Source: DOI Bulletin B-5.57 · C.R.S. 10-4-110.7
Roof insurance FAQ
Quick answers to common questions.
Call or text (720) 948-5726, Mon–Sat 9–7.
Related guides:
What is the difference between ACV and RCV on a roof claim?
RCV (replacement cost) pays what a new roof costs, minus your deductible. ACV (actual cash value) subtracts depreciation for age first, so older roofs get smaller checks. Your declarations page shows which you have.
What is Allstate's roof surface payment schedule?
It's Allstate's Roof Surfaces Endorsement (form AVP84). For wind or hail roof damage it pays a percentage of replacement cost based on roof age and material, for example 70% for a 10-year-old asphalt shingle roof, and the deductible still applies.
Can a Colorado roofer pay or waive my deductible?
No. C.R.S. 6-22-105 prohibits roofers from advertising or promising to pay, waive or rebate any part of an insurance deductible.
Does insurance have to match my undamaged siding or roof in Colorado?
The Colorado Division of Insurance says there is no law requiring insurers to match undamaged siding or paint. The insurer must repair the actual damage; your policy wording controls the rest.
How do I get a copy of my homeowners policy in Colorado?
Ask your insurer. Under C.R.S. 10-4-110.8 it must make your policy, declarations and endorsements available within 3 business days of your request.
Can I cancel a roofing contract in Colorado?
Yes. You can cancel within 72 hours of signing for a full deposit refund, and within 72 hours of receiving a written insurance denial if insurance is paying.
Are hail dents in a metal roof covered?
It depends on your policy. A cosmetic damage exclusion can remove coverage for dents that don't affect function. Punctures, open seams and broken seals are functional damage.
Find out before you file, free policy check.
We read your declarations page with you and inspect the roof. Free, no obligation.
This guide explains common policy terms and Colorado law in general. Your policy wording controls your coverage; ask your insurer or agent about your policy. Written by Jeff Kish, founder of Homey Roofing and Restoration (in roofing since 2009). Reviewed by Allie Whitworth, Homey sales & operations and licensed Colorado REALTOR® with RE/MAX Professionals. Homey Roofing and Restoration is a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster. Updated Oct 22, 2026.