A hailstorm just rolled through the Denver metro area and your vehicle is covered in dents. You know you need to file an insurance claim — but if you’ve never done it before, the process can feel intimidating. What do you say when you call? Who comes to inspect the damage? What if the estimate seems too low? How do you make sure you get the full repair your vehicle deserves?
This step-by-step guide walks Colorado drivers through the entire hail damage insurance claim process — from the morning after the storm to picking up your fully repaired vehicle.
Step 1: Document the Damage Before Anything Else
Before you call your insurance company, spend a few minutes documenting the damage to your vehicle. Use your phone to take photos and video of every panel — hood, roof, trunk, doors, fenders, and mirrors. Walk around the vehicle slowly and capture the damage from multiple angles and in good lighting. If possible, photograph the vehicle next to something that shows scale.
This documentation protects you throughout the claims process. If your insurer’s adjuster misses damage during their assessment — which happens frequently — your photos provide evidence that the damage existed before the claim was filed.
Also note the date and approximate time of the storm, and where your vehicle was located when the damage occurred. Your insurer will ask for this information when you call to file.
Step 2: Call Your Insurance Company to Open a Claim
Call the number on the back of your insurance card and let them know you need to file a comprehensive claim for hail damage. The representative will ask for basic information including your policy number, the date of the storm, your vehicle’s location during the storm, and a general description of the visible damage. You do not need a repair estimate at this point — just report what you observed.
Your insurer will assign you a claim number. Write this down and keep it handy — you’ll reference it throughout the process. They will also let you know the next steps for getting your vehicle assessed, which typically involves scheduling an adjuster inspection.
One important note: David’s Hail & Collision can file the claim on your behalf if you prefer. All we need is your insurance carrier name and policy information. Many of our customers find it easier to let us handle the filing process from the start.
Step 3: Schedule the Adjuster Inspection Strategically
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the hail damage and write an initial repair estimate. You have options for where this inspection takes place — at your home, at your workplace, or at the repair shop. We strongly recommend scheduling the adjuster inspection at David’s Hail & Collision rather than at your home or a random inspection center.
Here’s why: when the adjuster writes the estimate at our facility, our technicians can be present during the inspection to point out damage the adjuster might otherwise overlook. Adjusters work quickly and under high volume during hail season — they frequently miss dents on curved panels, door jambs, and hard-to-see areas. Having our team present during the inspection helps ensure a more complete initial estimate, which reduces the likelihood of delays caused by supplements later in the process.
Step 4: Understand That the First Estimate Is Often Too Low
This is the part of the process that surprises most Colorado drivers. The initial estimate written by your insurance adjuster is almost always lower than the true cost of repairing the vehicle. This isn’t necessarily intentional — adjusters are working fast, often in outdoor conditions, and they simply miss things. But the result is the same: an estimate that doesn’t cover the full scope of the repair.
This is called being underwritten, and it happens on the majority of hail damage claims. The good news is there’s a standard process to address it called a supplement.
Step 5: Let David’s Hail & Collision File a Supplement
Once your vehicle arrives at our shop and our technicians perform a complete damage assessment, we compare our findings to the insurance estimate. When we identify damage that wasn’t included — additional dents, damaged trim, cracked moldings, or anything else the adjuster missed — we document it thoroughly and submit a supplement directly to your insurance company.
A supplement is simply a formal request to update the repair authorization to include the additional damage. We provide photos, measurements, and repair documentation to support every supplement we file. Your insurer reviews it and in most cases approves the additional coverage. You don’t pay more out of pocket — your deductible remains the same regardless of how many supplements are filed.
This is one of the most valuable things a professional auto body shop does for you during the hail damage repair process. Filing supplements correctly and completely is a skill — and it’s one David’s Hail & Collision has been doing on behalf of our customers for years.
Step 6: Choose Your Repair Shop — and Know Your Rights
Your insurance company may recommend a specific repair facility or a network of preferred shops. You are not required to use them. Under Colorado law, you have the legal right to choose any licensed auto body shop for your hail damage repair. Your insurer cannot deny your claim, delay your repair, or reduce your coverage because you chose an independent shop.
Preferred shop networks exist because those shops have agreed to prioritize cost efficiency for the insurer. Choosing your own shop means choosing technicians who are working for you and your vehicle — not for the insurance company’s bottom line.
Step 7: Understand Your Deductible — and How We Can Help
Your deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying out of pocket before your insurance coverage applies. For comprehensive hail damage claims, deductibles typically range from $250 to $1,000. David’s Hail & Collision offers deductible assistance of up to $500 on qualifying hail damage repairs, which means many of our customers pay little to nothing out of pocket for their entire repair.
Call us at (303) 815-3854 to find out if your repair qualifies before you schedule your appointment.
Step 8: Review the Repair and Pick Up Your Vehicle
Once repairs are complete, our team will walk you through everything that was done before you drive away. Check the panel alignment, paint match, and any areas that were part of the repair. Ask questions — we want you to leave completely satisfied. Every hail damage repair performed by David’s Hail & Collision is backed by our lifetime warranty for as long as you own the vehicle.
Filing a hail damage insurance claim in Colorado doesn’t have to be stressful or confusing. With the right shop on your side, the process is straightforward — and you end up with a fully repaired vehicle and minimal out-of-pocket costs. David’s Hail & Collision handles claims for drivers throughout Englewood, Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Littleton, and the entire Denver metro area.
