Homeowners Insurance Estimator

Wind/Hail Deductibles Explained

By Editorial Team · Last updated 2025-08-29

In many coastal states, wind/hail deductibles are a percentage of Coverage A.

Last updated 2025-08-29

What is a wind/hail deductible?

A wind/hail deductible applies only to losses caused by wind or hail. It’s separate from your “all perils” deductible and can be higher.

Percentage vs flat

Percentage deductibles (e.g., 1–5%) are a percent of Coverage A (dwelling). Flat deductibles are a set dollar amount. Percentage deductibles can be large on high Coverage A values—plan for that out‑of‑pocket risk.

Where they’re common

Coastal states and hail‑prone regions often use percentage deductibles. Review your policy carefully if you live in hurricane or severe‑storm corridors.

How to choose

  • Balance premium savings vs. your emergency fund.
  • Consider roof age/material; higher deductibles shift more cost to you.
  • Ask if impact‑resistant shingles qualify for credits that offset a lower deductible.

Use our estimator to see how changing Deductible interacts with other factors. Start on the homepage or jump to your state page.

FAQs

Is wind/hail deductible separate from hurricane deductible?

Some policies separate them; others treat hurricane as a subset. Your policy’s definitions control.

Can I buy it down?

Many carriers offer options; the pricing impact varies by state and carrier.

Checking Whether Your Wind/Hail Deductible Is Affordable

One way to test this is to imagine that a storm hits tomorrow and your roof needs to be replaced. If paying the wind or hail deductible would require loans, credit cards, or major disruption, it may be worth exploring a lower deductible—even if it increases your premium a bit.

Running “What If” Storm Scenarios

One way to test deductibles is to imagine storms of different severities: minor shingle damage versus a full roof replacement. Using the estimator to pair these scenarios with different deductibles can show how much of the financial risk you are comfortable carrying yourself.

Locating Wind and Hail Deductibles in Your Policy

Wind or hail deductibles are sometimes listed separately from the standard deductible on the declarations page. After reading about them here, reviewing those pages on your own policy helps you connect the concepts to the exact numbers that apply to your home.

Learning from Community Experiences After Storms

Talking with neighbors about how their policies responded after recent storms—while being mindful of privacy—can reveal how different wind or hail deductibles played out in practice. Those stories, combined with estimator scenarios, can guide your choice of structure for future renewals.

How Often to Reevaluate Wind and Hail Deductibles

Changes in local weather patterns, home value, or savings levels can all be reasons to revisit your wind or hail deductible choice. Checking this setting every few renewal cycles ensures that it still reflects both your risk environment and your current financial comfort.

When Different Properties Have Different Wind and Hail Deductibles

If you own more than one property, you may find that each location ends up with a different wind or hail deductible structure. Using separate estimator scenarios for each address keeps expectations clear and reduces confusion when a storm affects only part of your portfolio.

Reviewing Your Wind and Hail Deductibles After a Storm Season

After a particularly active storm season, it can be helpful to review whether your current wind or hail deductible still feels comfortable. Even if you did not file a claim, seeing how close you came to using your coverage can inform whether you prefer to shift more or less risk back to the insurer next term.

Wind and Hail Considerations for Condos and HOAs

If you live in a condominium or a community governed by a homeowners association, master policies and special assessments can interact with your individual wind or hail deductible. Understanding which parts of a building are covered where—and who pays which deductibles—can prevent surprises after a storm.

Aligning Wind and Hail Deductibles with Your Emergency Plan

Because severe storms can create both property damage and temporary living expenses, it can help to think about wind and hail deductibles alongside your broader emergency plan. Ask yourself how you would manage both the deductible and day-to-day needs if a major event occurred.

Using Photo Documentation After Storms

After a wind or hail event, taking clear photos of any damage or near misses can be valuable even if you do not immediately file a claim. Those images may help you and your insurer track patterns over time.