Roofing Insurance Deductibles
Your deductible is the amount you pay before insurance pays anything. In Texas, wind and hail deductibles are frequently a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount, which catches a lot of homeowners off guard at claim time.
Flat vs. percentage deductibles
| Dwelling coverage | 1% wind/hail deductible | 2% wind/hail deductible |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| $450,000 | $4,500 | $9,000 |
| $600,000 | $6,000 | $12,000 |
Note that the percentage applies to your dwelling coverage amount, not to the claim amount and not to your home's market value. A homeowner who remembers a $1,000 deductible from an old policy can find themselves owing several times that.
Why no contractor can absorb your deductible
Texas law addresses this directly. A contractor who pays, waives, rebates or otherwise absorbs an insurance deductible, including by inflating the invoice to cover it, is committing an offense, and the homeowner who participates is exposed as well. It also gives your carrier grounds to deny the claim.
When a roofer offers to "take care of your deductible," what they are actually telling you is that they are willing to break the law on your roof. Consider what else they are willing to do when nobody is looking.
Managing the out-of-pocket cost legitimately
- Ask about financing so the deductible can be paid over time rather than at once
- Ask your agent whether a different deductible structure makes sense at renewal
- Bundle work you were going to do anyway, such as gutters, into the same mobilization
- Decide on upgrades like Class 4 with clear eyes about what is covered and what is not
Frequently asked questions
- How do I find out what my roof deductible is?
- Check your declarations page for a separate wind and hail deductible. It is frequently expressed as a percentage of dwelling coverage rather than a dollar amount.
- Do I pay the deductible to the insurance company or the contractor?
- To the contractor, as part of the project cost. The carrier simply subtracts it from what they pay you.
- Can my deductible be financed?
- Yes, through legitimate third-party financing. That is different from a contractor absorbing it, which is not legal in Texas.
- What if the damage costs less than my deductible?
- Then filing a claim generally does not help you, and we will say so. Paying for a small repair directly is often the better outcome.
Keep reading
Weighing a claim against your deductible?
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