When does a deductible apply on homeowners insurance?
Per occurrence, not per item
One storm that damages your roof, gutters, fence and a window is one occurrence with one deductible. The insurer adds up all the covered property damage from that event and subtracts the deductible once. That is why it pays to get everything from the same storm into the same claim instead of filing the fence later.
Which deductible applies
- Wind or hail: the wind and hail deductible, often a percentage of your dwelling limit.
- Fire, theft, burst pipe: the all other perils deductible.
- Named storm or hurricane: only when the policy's trigger is met.
When it does not apply
- Liability claims, such as someone suing you after an injury.
- Medical payments to others.
- A few small additional coverages on standard forms, such as the fire department service charge, which say no deductible applies.
And if the damage is less than the deductible, nothing is paid at all.
Two storms, two deductibles
North Georgia springs can bring hail in March and again in May. If an adjuster finds damage from both, the insurer may treat them as separate losses with separate deductibles, or attribute everything to one date and question the rest. The date of loss you report matters, so check the hail history for your address on northgeorgiahailmap.com before you call.
How it comes out of the money
The insurer subtracts it from the first payment, usually the actual cash value check, and you pay that amount to your contractor.
More: choosing the right date of loss and percentage wind and hail deductibles.