Roof Insurance 101
How Does a Wind or Hail Deductible Work?
The homeowner question
“My policy says I have a 1% or 2% wind/hail deductible. One percent of what?”
A deductible is the portion of a covered loss you are responsible for before the insurer’s payment applies. For wind and hail, some Texas policies use a percentage deductible. The percentage is usually tied to a policy value stated in your documents, not one percent of the repair bill. The exact basis must be confirmed in your policy.
Quick Guide
- Find the separate wind/hail deductible
- Percentage usually applies to a policy value
- Calculate the dollar amount before a storm
- Deductible is the homeowner’s responsibility
- Recheck at every renewal
A simple example
If the policy’s applicable insured value were $400,000 and the wind/hail deductible were 2% of that value, the deductible would be $8,000. This is only an illustration; your policy may use different wording or values.
Why homeowners get surprised
People often remember a $1,000 or $2,500 deductible from another coverage and do not realize the wind/hail deductible is separate.
The deductible is not a discount
It is the policyholder’s share of the covered loss. Texas prohibits contractors from offering to waive, absorb or rebate the property-insurance deductible.
Check before storm season
Knowing the amount before damage occurs helps you plan an emergency fund and make an informed decision about whether a claim is appropriate.
Policy language wins
Do not rely on a neighbor’s deductible, a salesperson’s estimate or last year’s policy. Use the current declarations and endorsements or ask your insurer/agent to explain the calculation in writing.
What You Can Safely Check Yourself
- Find the deductible section on your current declarations page.
- Ask your agent which value the percentage is applied to.
- Calculate the dollar amount and write it in your home records.
- Recheck after each renewal because policy terms can change.
When It Becomes More Serious
Treat anyone promising to “cover” or “eat” your deductible as a red flag. TDI specifically warns Texans that deductible waivers are illegal.
Insurance note: This article is general homeowner education, not legal, insurance-coverage or public-adjusting advice. Policy terms and claim facts control. In Texas, contractors performing the repair should not represent themselves as the policyholder’s public adjuster on that claim.
Sources & Further Reading
- Texas Department of Insurance — Insurance and your roof
- Texas Department of Insurance — Roofing and insurance: Know the law
- Texas Department of Insurance — How to avoid contracting scams
Editorial note: Sources are cited for homeowner education and technical context. Ridge Point Roofing is not affiliated with these organizations unless separately stated. Local codes, product instructions and insurance policy terms should always be checked for a specific property.