Can you get insurance to cover your deductible?

What the deductible actually is

Your deductible is subtracted from every covered claim before the insurer pays. If a hail claim is approved at $14,000 and your deductible is $2,000, the insurer's payments total $12,000 and the remaining $2,000 is yours to pay the contractor. On many Georgia policies, wind and hail losses carry a separate percentage deductible, such as 1 or 2 percent of the dwelling limit, which can be far larger than the regular deductible. See percentage wind and hail deductibles.

Why nobody can legally make it disappear

Some contractors advertise that they will cover your deductible through a fake discount, a rebate, a gift card or an inflated estimate. Georgia law makes deductible waivers and rebates by contractors illegal, and a claim built on one can be treated as insurance fraud for both of you. Read can a roofer pay your deductible in Georgia.

What about gap insurance?

Gap insurance is an auto product that covers the difference between a car's value and the loan balance. It does nothing for a home or roof claim.

Real ways to handle it

• Pick a deductible at renewal that you could pay tomorrow without strain.
• Ask your agent whether a flat wind and hail deductible is available instead of a percentage.
• Use contractor financing for the deductible and any upgrades.
• Keep an emergency fund sized to your deductible.