Key numbers
IBHS said in 2019 that hail losses have grown to over $10 billion annually (Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), 2019).
| 50% | The U.S. saw 50% more hail claims in 2023 than in any of the previous four years, per Verisk. Source: Verisk (ISO ClaimSearch), 2023 |
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A T-lock shingle roof can still be covered by insurance, but it is harder to get paid fairly for, and harder to keep insured. T-lock shingles are no longer manufactured, so a storm-damaged section usually cannot be matched. Depending on your policy and the damage, an insurer may pay for a full replacement, pay for a repair only, or send a renewal letter requiring you to replace the roof. Colorado codes add a second issue: in El Paso County every old layer must come off before a new roof goes on, and Lakewood does not approve T-lock shingles for re-roofing.
Why T-lock roofs cause insurance problems
T-lock shingles interlock with their neighbors instead of sealing down in rows. That design is why so many are still on Colorado homes, and why they cause trouble now:
- They cannot be matched. No manufacturer makes them, so a damaged section cannot be replaced with the same product. Some insurers have treated that as a reason to replace the roof; others pay for a repair only and leave you with a patch that does not match.
- They are old. Most T-lock roofs are decades old. An adjuster may attribute damage to age and wear rather than the last storm, or the policy may pay an old roof at actual cash value.
- They lift in wind. Brittle, curled T-locks lift and tear in high wind, and one missing T-lock leaves the underlayment open to sun and water.
- Underwriting. Some insurers review older roofs at renewal. Over the years we have met homeowners who got letters saying they had to replace their T-lock roof to keep coverage.
Repair, replacement or denial: what decides it
Your policy wording and the evidence decide it, not the shingle type alone. Ask these questions:
- Is there storm damage from a covered event? If hail or wind hit while your policy was in force, report it. Some of the homeowners who received replacement letters had earlier storm damage that their insurer then paid as a claim.
- How does your policy pay for a roof? Replacement cost, actual cash value, or a roof-age schedule. It is on your declarations page.
- What is your wind and hail deductible? Many Colorado policies now use a percentage of your coverage instead of a flat amount, so check before you file.
- What does the estimate assume? If the insurer scopes a T-lock repair, ask how it will be matched. Our guide to reading your claim summary explains where to look.
If the claim is denied, see your options when an adjuster denies roof damage.
What local codes say about replacing T-lock shingles
- Colorado Springs and El Paso County: PPRBD requires all existing layers of roofing to be removed before new asphalt shingles are installed on a home, and any repair or replacement over 100 square feet needs a permit. More in our Colorado Springs roofing codes guide.
- Lakewood: the city’s roofing handout states that T-lock shingles are not approved for re-roof installation, and every roof covering must carry a Class A fire rating. See our Lakewood roofing page.
- Elsewhere in the Denver area: each city sets its own tear-off and permit rules. Our Denver roof replacement page compares them.
Tear-off also exposes the deck. Older homes often have plank decking under the T-locks. PPRBD allows gaps of 1/4 inch or less; wider gaps mean re-decking or an overlay of new sheathing, so expect a decking line on the estimate.
What to do before your next renewal
- Find out what you have. A free inspection confirms the shingle type, any storm damage, and the deck condition.
- Check for a covered storm. If damage dates from a storm during your policy, file before it ages further. See how long you have to file a hail damage claim.
- Price the replacement. If there is no claim, get a written Good, Better and Best estimate. Impact-rated shingles may earn a premium discount with some insurers; compare options in our Class 4 shingle guide.
- Ask about financing if replacing out of pocket before a renewal deadline is the issue.
Get your T-lock roof inspected
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor with 650+ Google reviews. We reach out the same business day, tell you honestly whether you have a claim, and quote a full tear-off and replacement if you need one. Book in Colorado Springs or Denver, or call (719) 488-2800 or (303) 209-0152. For the whole claim process, start with our roof damage insurance claims guide.
Sources: PPRBD Reroofing Guidelines (removal of all layers, 100 sq ft permit threshold); City of Lakewood, Residential Roof or Re-roof handout (T-lock not approved for re-roof, Class A); Colorado Division of Insurance, consumer advisory on wind and hail deductibles.
