Sound familiar?
Why Most People Accept Less Than Their Damage Is Worth
Here’s what most people don’t realize until it’s too late: Your adjuster’s estimate isn’t gospel. It’s a starting point.
The first settlement offer almost always falls short. Not because adjusters are trying to cheat you, but because:
- Standard inspections take 20-30 minutes. A thorough assessment takes 2-3 hours.
- Adjusters use software that defaults to “repair” when replacement might be the only viable option.
- They’re trained to document obvious damage. Secondary damage? You have to know to ask.
- Regional pricing databases undervalue Colorado Springs labor rates and Class 4 shingle costs.
- Without your own documentation, it becomes your word against theirs—and they have the photos.
The average underpayment on initial hail damage settlements in Colorado Springs:
$4,200
Based on analysis of 150+ supplemental claims in El Paso County, 2022-2024
The result? You accept an $8,200 settlement for damage that actually costs $12,400 to repair properly. Then you’re stuck choosing between cutting corners or paying the difference out of pocket.
The Complete Hail Damage Documentation Kit
This isn’t about gaming the system or inflating your claim. It’s about documenting your damage as thoroughly as the professionals do—so nothing gets overlooked, and nothing gets undervalued.
Think of it this way: Your adjuster has a checklist. This guide gives you the same checklist, plus the documentation that backs up every item on it.
What’s Inside the Free Guide
Before the Adjuster Arrives
The damage is already done. Now you need proof.
- The 27-point photo sequence that captures every angle (the same sequence professional restoration contractors use)
- How to safely document ground-level damage without getting on your roof
- The “baseline photos” that protect you if damage worsens while you wait for repairs
- What to photograph inside your attic (water stains, ventilation damage, light penetration)
- How to document collateral damage to gutters, downspouts, siding, and windows
Choose your During the Adjuster’s Inspection Level
This is your one shot to get it right.
- The 5 questions that prompt adjusters to check areas they typically skip
- What to say (and what NOT to say) that keeps your claim on track
- How to request a ladder inspection vs. drone inspection (and why it matters)
- When it’s appropriate to ask for a second opinion or supplement inspection
- The paperwork you should request before the adjuster leaves
Reading Your Settlement Letter
The estimate isn’t written in plain English. Here’s how to decode it.
- How to read line items and spot common calculation errors
- Understanding depreciation (ACV vs. RCV) and which charges you can challenge
- The “scope of loss” section and why it’s the most important part
- Red flags that indicate your estimate is incomplete
- Market value adjustments and how they affect your payout
After You Receive the Settlement
Your claim isn’t closed until the work is done and paid for.
- When and how to request a re-inspection (supplement claim)
- How to document additional damage discovered during repairs
- Working with contractors: getting estimates that match your settlement
- The recoverable depreciation process (getting your full RCV payout)
- What to do if your claim gets denied or underpaid
Get Your Free Documentation Kit Now
Everything you need to photograph, measure, and document roof damage like a professional.
Join 2,800+ Colorado Springs property owners. Instant PDF. No spam.
Real Results from Real Claims
Why Documentation Makes a $4200 Difference
Initial Offer
$8,200
With Proper Documentation
$12,400
The Gap
$4,200
Essential Care
$490
per year
Describe your service plan and the unique features it includes.
The plan features listed out here
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Advanced Care
$990
per year
Describe your service plan and the unique features it includes.
The plan features listed out here
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Commercial Plans
Call our office to speak with our sales team regarding commercial accounts and customized service plans.
(888) 555-5555
Dedicated service technician
Priority appointment booking
Discounts on parts and labor
One year commitment required
This isn’t about inflating claims. It’s about making sure your settlement reflects the actual cost of proper repairs…
Is This Guide Right for You?
This Guide Is Perfect If You:
- Want to handle your own claim but need to know what documentation actually
- Feel unprepared for the adjuster’s visit and don’t know what questions to ask
- Received an initial settlement that seems low but don’t know how to respond
- Manage rental or commercial properties and need a repeatable system
- Are a real estate professional helping clients navigate damage claims
- Want to work with a contractor but need to understand the estimate first
- Are preparing in advance so you’re not scrambling after the next hailstorm
This Guide Probably Isn’t Right If You:
- Have extremely complex commercial claims requiring legal intervention (this is designed for straightforward hail damage)
- Are looking for shortcuts to claim damage that doesn’t exist (this is about documentation, not fraud)
- Prefer to hire a public adjuster to handle everything and don’t want to be involved (though the guide can help you understand their process)
- Have already settled your claim and signed a release (at that point, documentation won’t help)
About This Guide (And Why I Created It)
I’m Gerald Winik, a Colorado Springs roofing consultant who’s reviewed over 1,200 hail damage claims in El Paso County since 2018.
After watching too many property owners accept settlements that didn’t cover their actual repair costs—not because they were being cheated, but because they didn’t know what to document—I created this system.
It’s based on:
- Insurance industry standards for damage assessment
- Best practices from professional restoration contractors I’ve worked with
- Common gaps in standard adjuster inspections (the things they miss most often)
- Real questions from hundreds of claims I’ve consulted on over the past 6 years
My Goal Is Simple
Give Colorado Springs property owners the same level of documentation knowledge that my paid consulting clients receive—but in a format anyone can use themselves, for free.
You shouldn’t need to hire someone like me for a straightforward hail damage claim. You just need to know what matters and what doesn’t.
I’m a roofing consultant specializing in hail damage claims in Colorado Springs, with 13 years in the roofing industry. I’m also a member of Colorado Roofing Association (CRA), and National Roofing Contractors Association.
Get Your Free Documentation Kit
Here’s what happens when you download:
- Instant PDF download — No waiting for emails, no manual approval. Click the button and get immediate access.
- Monthly Colorado Springs roofing newsletter — Hail forecasts, new building code updates, contractor licensing alerts, and seasonal maintenance tips. (You can unsubscribe with one click anytime.)
- No sales pressure — This is a free resource. I’m not going to call you, pressure you, or try to upsell you on consulting services.
Your privacy matters. I don’t share your email with anyone. Ever. You can review my [privacy policy] before signing up.
Your Adjuster Found $8,200 in Damage. You Suspect It’s More.
You’re probably right. This free guide shows you how to document what insurance adjusters routinely miss—before they close your claim and leave you thousands short.
✓ Instant PDF download | ✓ No sales calls | ✓ Used by 2,800+ Colorado Springs property owners
Created By Gerald Winik, Colorado Springs Roofing Consultant | 1,200+ claims reviewed since 2018