What is your insurance deductible amount, and where do you find it?
Reading the declarations page
Look for a deductibles section. Common lines include:
- All other perils (AOP): applies to fire, theft, water from plumbing, falling objects and most non storm losses.
- Wind and hail: applies to damage from windstorm or hail, including most roof claims after a storm. Often a percentage in Georgia.
- Hurricane or named storm: in some coastal policies.
- Roof or roof surfacing: on some policies with a special roof endorsement.
Converting a percentage to dollars
Multiply the percentage by your Coverage A dwelling limit, not by your home's market value or the claim amount.
- 1 percent of $280,000 = $2,800
- 2 percent of $280,000 = $5,600
Some policies state a minimum, such as "2 percent, but not less than $1,000." Many policies also raise Coverage A a little each year for inflation, so the dollar value of a percentage deductible rises with it. See percentage wind and hail deductibles.
If you cannot find it
Log into your insurer's site or app, or call your agent and ask, "What deductible applies to a hail or wind claim on my roof, in dollars?" Get the answer in writing. Knowing this number before a storm tells you whether small damage is worth a claim at all. For how the deductible plays out on a roof replacement, see roof replacement coverage.