Hail ya go

http://www.krdo.com/news/31172584/detail.html

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Two days of hail, pounding parts of Southern Colorado could do a number on your finances. Roofers tell me, Thursday night's hail damage was worse than Wednesday's. For hundreds of homeowners if not more, the hard part is making a choice about replacement shingles. Total Roofing's Scott McIntyre and Rodney Ullstrom took me on top of a roof off Austin Bluffs which had hail resistant shingles put on top of the home. Total Roofing laid down the shingles in 2010. It has no damage.

Despite that no damage assessment, Total Roofing's Scott McIntyre says, "You know for the costs of these roofs, I would not put one on my place." Here's why McIntyre wouldn't do it. He tells me, these hail resistant roofs can be an average of 12-15 hundred more than traditional shingle roofs.

The positives of hail resistant shingles are that each has an added rubber backing for durability. Each of this kind of roof also has an average seven years of life. That life span is two more years than traditional shingles. You can also get insurance discounts with Class Four or hail resistant shingles. Scott McIntyre still believes the negatives may outweigh all these positives.

McIntyre says insurance won't pay cosmetic damage if the shingle is still functionable unless you buy a special cosmetic insurance endorsement. Total Roofing expert, Rodney Ullstrom agrees that the hail resistant shingle may not be a best buy. He explained to me that if the outside of the shingle is damaged or bruised but the matting underneath hasn't been broken, then insurance won't fix it without that cosmetic insurance endorsement. Remember you have to pay for the endorsement from your insurance company.

Ultimately roofers think it's short term gain compared to long term loss. Roofers believe you need to factor in how long, even with the insurance discounts it will take you to pay for the increased hail resistant shingle costs.

McIntyre believes your best bet is to upgrade to a high wind rate shingle. It's an added 300 dollars on an average roof replacement cost. Colorado has more windy days, than hail events like we've experienced the past couple of days

funny.....