If you own a home in Englewood, Colorado, you've probably heard your neighbors talking about hail damage, rising insurance premiums, and the headache of finding affordable coverage. You're not imagining it—Englewood sits squarely in one of the most challenging home insurance markets in the country. Between the Front Range's notorious hailstorms and Colorado's skyrocketing insurance costs, protecting your home here requires more than just checking a box. It means understanding what you're up against and making smart decisions about your coverage.
Englewood is a city of contrasts. You've got northwest neighborhoods with charming homes dating back to the 1910s, postwar subdivisions from the 1940s through 1960s, and modern developments. You're close to light rail, the medical district, and all the conveniences of metro Denver. But those older, established neighborhoods that give Englewood its character also come with insurance challenges—aging roofs, outdated systems, and higher vulnerability to hail damage. Let's break down what you need to know to protect your investment.
Why Home Insurance in Englewood Is More Expensive Than You Think
Colorado homeowners have watched their insurance premiums climb faster than almost anywhere else in the nation. Between 2015 and 2024, the average Colorado home insurance premium jumped 137%, from $1,745 to $4,142. By 2025, some reports project the average annual premium will hit $6,630. That's not a typo—Colorado now has the second-highest home insurance premiums in the United States, behind only Florida.
What's driving these increases? Hail. In eight of the last eleven years, hail—not wildfires—has been the biggest source of insurance losses in Colorado. The Front Range, where Englewood sits, is part of 'Hail Alley,' which records the highest frequency of large hail in North America. Englewood specifically has experienced 83 Doppler radar-detected hail events in recent years, with 31 confirmed on-the-ground reports. You're not just facing occasional storms; you're in a high-risk zone.
The financial toll is staggering. The May 8, 2017 Front Range hailstorm alone caused $2.3 billion in insured damage, making it Colorado's most expensive catastrophe on record. Over the past decade, hailstorms have caused more than $5 billion in insured damage statewide. When your insurer looks at Englewood, they see those numbers—and they price your policy accordingly.
Understanding Hail Deductibles: The Hidden Cost
Here's where things get tricky. Most Colorado insurers no longer offer simple dollar-amount deductibles for hail damage. Instead, they require percentage-based deductibles ranging from 1% to 5% of your dwelling coverage (called Coverage A). This is separate from your standard deductible for other perils like theft or fire.
Let's do the math. Englewood's median home value is around $600,000. If you have a 2% hail deductible, you're responsible for the first $12,000 in repairs before insurance pays a dime. With a 5% deductible, you'd pay $30,000 out of pocket. Even a seemingly modest 1% deductible means $6,000 in upfront costs. Wind and hail are typically bundled together, so filing a claim for either peril triggers this same high deductible.
Some insurers offer flat hail deductibles instead, typically ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. If you can find this option and afford slightly higher premiums, it might save you money in the long run, especially if you live in an older Englewood neighborhood with a roof that's approaching replacement age.
Special Considerations for Englewood's Older Homes
Englewood's charm lies partly in its established neighborhoods. Northwest Englewood contains homes dating back to the 1910s, while much of the city features postwar construction from 1947 to 1965. The historic Arapahoe Acres neighborhood even made it onto the National Register of Historic Places. But insurers don't share your appreciation for vintage architecture—they see risk.
Older homes often have original roofs, outdated electrical systems, old plumbing, and materials that don't meet modern building codes. Your 1950s bungalow might have knob-and-tube wiring or galvanized pipes that insurers consider liabilities. Some carriers won't insure homes with roofs older than 15 or 20 years without a professional inspection. Others may require you to replace your roof before they'll even quote you a policy.
If you're buying an older home in Englewood, get a four-point inspection before you close. This inspection covers your roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems—exactly what insurers care about most. Knowing what needs updating gives you negotiating power with the seller and helps you avoid nasty surprises when shopping for insurance.
What Coverage Do You Actually Need?
With Englewood home values averaging around $600,000, making sure you have adequate dwelling coverage is crucial. Your dwelling coverage (Coverage A) should reflect the cost to rebuild your home from the ground up—not its market value. Rebuilding costs include materials, labor, permits, and debris removal, which can exceed your home's sale price, especially in today's construction market.
Don't skimp on liability coverage, either. Colorado's outdoor lifestyle means you're hosting backyard barbecues, neighborhood kids are riding bikes past your house, and delivery drivers are navigating your front steps year-round. If someone gets hurt on your property, your liability coverage protects you from lawsuits. Most policies start at $100,000, but consider bumping it to $300,000 or $500,000—or adding an umbrella policy for extra protection.
Pay attention to your personal property coverage (Coverage C) and additional living expenses (Coverage D). If a hailstorm punches holes through your roof and you need to move out during repairs, Coverage D pays for your hotel and meals. In Colorado's tight insurance market, some policies have started reducing these coverages to keep premiums lower—read your policy carefully.
How to Lower Your Premiums Without Sacrificing Protection
The single most effective way to reduce your home insurance costs in Englewood is upgrading your roof to impact-resistant materials. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are designed to withstand hail up to 2 inches in diameter. Many Colorado insurers offer discounts ranging from 5% to 30% for impact-resistant roofs, and some will even offer lower hail deductibles. Yes, these roofs cost more upfront—sometimes $10,000 to $20,000 more than standard asphalt shingles—but the premium savings and storm protection can pay off over time.
Other money-saving strategies include bundling your home and auto policies with the same insurer, installing a monitored security system, upgrading your electrical panel and plumbing, and maintaining good credit. Colorado insurers use credit-based insurance scores, so improving your credit can directly lower your premiums. Shop around every year or two—the Colorado insurance market is volatile, and the best rate this year might not be the best rate next year.
What to Do After a Hailstorm Hits
When the inevitable hailstorm strikes Englewood, document everything. Take photos of the damage to your roof, siding, windows, vehicles, and landscaping before you make any temporary repairs. Check your policy for deadlines—Colorado law generally requires insurers to allow at least one year to file a hail claim, but some policies may have shorter timeframes buried in the fine print.
Be cautious of storm chasers—roofing contractors who flood neighborhoods after hailstorms offering free inspections and promising to cover your deductible. Some are legitimate, but others use high-pressure tactics or shoddy work. Get multiple estimates from licensed, local contractors with good reputations. Your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the damage; don't let anyone start major work before your adjuster has documented everything.
Getting Started with Home Insurance in Englewood
Protecting your Englewood home starts with understanding what you're facing: frequent hail, rising premiums, and percentage-based deductibles that can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Don't wait until after a storm to figure out your coverage. Review your policy now, make sure your dwelling coverage reflects current rebuild costs, and ask your agent about impact-resistant roof discounts and flat deductible options.
Get quotes from multiple insurers—rates vary dramatically in Colorado, and what works for your neighbor might not work for you. Consider working with an independent insurance agent who can compare options across different carriers and help you balance premium costs with adequate protection. Your home is likely your biggest investment. In Englewood's challenging insurance climate, making informed decisions about your coverage isn't optional—it's essential.
