What should you do when a roofer offers to cover your deductible?
Short answer. Decline it and look for another roofer. In Georgia, contractors may not waive, absorb or rebate a homeowner's insurance deductible, because doing so misrepresents the true cost of the loss to the insurer. A roofer willing to bend that rule may cut corners elsewhere, and you can be the one left with a denied claim.
How the offer is disguised
- We will take care of your deductible.
- A payment for putting a yard sign in your lawn or a review online, equal to your deductible.
- A referral bonus that just happens to match it.
- An inflated estimate so the insurer's payment covers everything.
- A discount on the real price that is never disclosed to the insurer.
Why it puts you at risk
- The claim reports a cost that is not real, which can be treated as misrepresentation.
- The insurer can deny or reduce the claim, or ask for money back.
- The contractor has to recover the lost money somewhere, often through cheaper materials or skipped steps.
- Contractors who rely on these deals are often storm chasers who are hard to find later for warranty work.
How to respond
- Say no clearly and do not sign anything.
- Ask other roofers for honest estimates that list your deductible as your share.
- If you need help paying, ask about financing.
- Consider reporting the offer to the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.
What an honest contract looks like
The contract price matches the insurance scope plus any upgrades you choose, and you pay your deductible. See can a roofer pay your deductible in Georgia, storm chaser scams and filing a complaint.