How does the insurance deductible work for roof hail damage?
A worked example
- Dwelling limit: $350,000
- Wind and hail deductible: 1 percent, or $3,500
- Replacement cost of roof, gutters and screens: $16,000
- Depreciation withheld: $5,000
- Actual cash value: $11,000
- First check, actual cash value minus deductible: $7,500
- Second check after the work and final invoice: $5,000
The insurer pays $12,500 in total. You pay the $3,500 deductible to your roofer, plus any upgrades you choose. The numbers are an illustration.
When the deductible is larger than the damage
If the estimate comes in under the deductible, nothing is paid. Before giving up, check whether every slope, vent, pipe boot, gutter run, window screen and other structure was included. If it still falls short, the honest answer may be a repair you pay for yourself.
Paying your deductible
Your deductible is due to the contractor as part of the job, often at completion or on a schedule in your contract. If cash is tight, ask about financing rather than any arrangement that hides the deductible.
Red flags
- "We will take care of your deductible."
- A "discount," gift card or yard sign payment that offsets the deductible.
- An invoice to the insurer that is higher than what you were told the job costs.
Each of these is a deductible rebate, which is illegal in Georgia and can expose the homeowner to a fraud allegation.
More: percentage deductibles, roofers and deductibles and recoverable depreciation.