Colorado Property Damage Insurance Claims

How can people achieve fair outcomes on Colorado property damage insurance claims when the damage is real, but the process feels unclear? At Kuhn Raslavich, P.A., we see homeowners and business owners face significant challenges, even when the policy appears straightforward.

Insurance carriers are allowed to investigate and request proof, yet Colorado law also requires timely, reasonable decisions and payments. We will work to build a strong claim that stays focused on the policy language and the condition of the property, and to provide clear documentation that makes the loss easy to understand.

What Colorado Law Expects From the Claims Process

Colorado has rules aimed at keeping property and casualty claims moving. One key set of standards requires insurers to make a decision and/or pay benefits due within 60 days after receiving a “valid and complete claim,” unless a reasonable dispute exists. Consequences of failing to meet that deadline can include penalties and interest.

The phrase “valid and complete claim” carries weight because it ties the clock to what has been provided and what has been investigated. The same rule describes what can count as complete, including receiving the necessary information, completing a reasonable investigation, establishing coverage, and finishing appraisals or negotiations when they are used.

Colorado also recognizes that an insurer cannot unreasonably delay or deny payment of benefits owed to a first-party claimant “without a reasonable basis.” The remedies statute allows recovery of reasonable fees, court costs, and twice the covered benefit in certain instances. A well-prepared file helps you show what was owed, when it was owed, and why the carrier’s position did not fit the proof.

Start With the Policy, Not the Adjuster Conversation

A property claim is built on the contract first, then on the facts. The declarations page, coverages, deductibles, endorsements, and exclusions set the boundaries for what is potentially payable. When confusion arises early, it is often because the insured relies on a summary statement rather than the actual wording that controls the outcome.

Deadlines and duties in the policy also shape Colorado property damage insurance claims. Notice requirements, “proof of loss” language, documentation requests, and access for inspection can become the carrier’s reason for pushing back. A careful approach, guided by our team, will keep the claim aligned with the policy’s requirements while still pushing for a timely resolution.

Separating “cause” from “scope” is also important. A carrier can agree that a loss occurred and still dispute how far the damage spread, what repairs are required, or whether certain items are due to wear and tear rather than a covered event. Clear photos, credible estimates, and consistent descriptions help prevent the claim from turning into a long argument over basics.

Building a Claim File That Forces Clarity

Insurers do not pay based on frustration, urgency, or a gut feeling that the property is not the same. They pay when the file shows a covered event, a reasonable scope of repairs, and credible pricing. Strong documentation also reduces the chance that the carrier treats the loss like a moving target.

Helpful proof often includes the following items:

• The full policy packet (declarations and endorsements included), plus any renewal notices that changed terms.

• Photos and videos that show affected areas over time, not only on day one, including mitigation efforts.

• A repair estimate with line-item scope and materials, tied to each damaged area.

• Invoices and receipts for mitigation work and temporary protection.

• A contents list with age, condition, and replacement pricing support.

• Records that show business interruption impacts, when the policy includes that coverage.

A consistent narrative matters because it prevents “version drift.” When dates shift, rooms change, or the claimed cause changes from one call to the next, carriers tend to slow down and expand the investigation. Coordination with a property damage lawyer will help keep the story clean and aligned with the policy, especially when the carrier asks for repeated statements or new forms of documentation late in the process.

A Legal Professional Will Closely Watch the Timeline and Know Colorado’s Standards

Time can work for you or against you in a property claim. The earlier your documentation locks in what happened and what it will take to restore the property, the harder it becomes for the carrier to treat the loss as uncertain. Delays also affect pricing, contractor availability, and secondary damage that grows while everyone waits.

Colorado’s rules on timely decisions and payments often serve as a practical reference point when a claim stalls. Again, the law mandates the 60-day deadline after a valid and complete claim, and recognizes “reasonable disputes.” It also outlines potential consequences such as interest on benefits due and additional penalties in certain circumstances. Even when a carrier argues a dispute exists, the file still has to show why the dispute is reasonable.

When the carrier agrees that some portion is covered but refuses to pay anything, that issue deserves close attention. It also deserves a legal team’s plan built around what is provable now, not what might be provable months later.

What a “Reasonable Dispute” Usually Looks Like

Disputes happen in property claims, and some are legitimate. The regulation itself gives examples of what can constitute a reasonable dispute, such as missing or conflicting information that requires further investigation, unresolved coverage questions, or ongoing appraisals and negotiations. The key is whether the carrier’s position matches the evidence and the policy terms, not whether the carrier can say the word “dispute.”

Causation fights are common. A carrier may argue that the damage resulted from long-term seepage, construction issues, or maintenance problems rather than a sudden covered event. Scope fights are also common, with disagreements about whether a full replacement is required or whether partial repairs will restore the property to its prior condition.

When those disputes drag on without concrete next steps, pressure increases. Our approach at Kuhn Raslavich is to set deadlines and demand specific explanations tied to policy language. We will also prepare for escalation when needed, ready to build a record that holds up if the claim turns into a formal dispute.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an insurer have to make a decision in Colorado?

Colorado regulations describe a 60-day expectation to make a decision and/or pay benefits after receipt of a valid and complete claim, unless a reasonable dispute exists. Timing still depends on what has been provided, what has been investigated, and what the carrier can justify in writing.

Can I recover more than the repair cost if the carrier unreasonably delays payment?

Colorado law recognizes a statutory remedy for unreasonable delay or denial of covered benefits, and the Colorado Supreme Court has explained how the statutes authorize recovery that may include fees, costs, and twice the covered benefit in appropriate cases. The facts, the policy, and the claim record control whether that remedy is available.

Where can I file a complaint about claim handling in Colorado?

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies provides a complaint pathway that can direct consumers to the Division of Insurance for insurance-related issues. Keeping copies of your claim communications and documents is important before submitting any complaint.

We Are Ready to Handle Even the Most Complex Colorado Property Damage Insurance Claims

A strong outcome usually comes from a simple theme: show the covered event, show the full scope, show the cost to restore, and show where the carrier’s position no longer matches the proof. Kuhn Raslavich, P.A. will review the policy language, organize the claim record, and pursue the next steps. 

We will build our approach for achieving the most positive result possible, whether the path is negotiation, appraisal, or litigation, and put our years of experience to work. If you are dealing with Colorado property damage insurance claims that feel delayed, underpaid, or brushed off, our team is ready to step in and pursue the recovery you should receive. Please use our online form or call 970-400-7732 for a free case review.