What Is a Wind and Hail Deductible in Homeowners Insurance?
According to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), about one in 36 insured homes has a property damage claim related to wind or hail each year. Because these weather events are so common, understanding how your homeowners insurance responds to them — including key details like separate deductibles — can help you feel more prepared before severe weather strikes.
If you’ve noticed a wind and hail deductible on your policy and aren’t sure what it means, you’re not alone. In this article, we'll explain how wind and hail deductibles work, where to find them on your policy, and what to review before storm season.
Is Wind and Hail Damage Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
In many cases, wind and hail damage is covered by homeowners insurance, subject to your policy’s terms, conditions, and limits.
However, coverage doesn’t mean every claim is handled the same way. Depending on your policy, wind and hail losses may be subject to a separate wind and hail deductible rather than the standard deductible — often called an All Perils or All Other Perils (AOP) deductible — that applies to many other covered losses.
What Is a Wind and Hail Deductible?
A wind and hail deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying out of pocket before your homeowners insurance begins paying for covered damage caused by wind or hail.
Common examples of storm damage that may be subject to a wind and hail deductible include:
- Hail damage to a roof
- Wind damage to siding or shingles
- Damage caused by wind-driven debris
Depending on your policy, this deductible may be different from the standard deductible.
How Does a Wind and Hail Deductible Work?
Wind and hail deductibles are common in many homeowners insurance policies and may vary based on factors, such as your geographic location, coverage, and insurance company. They are typically calculated as either a flat-dollar amount or a percentage of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A). Let’s look at how each type of deductible works.
Flat-Dollar Deductibles
A flat-dollar deductible is a fixed amount that applies regardless of your home’s insured value. For example, if your policy has a $2,500 wind and hail deductible, you would be responsible for paying the first $2,500 of a covered wind or hail loss before your insurance coverage would apply.
Percentage-Based Deductibles
A percentage-based deductible is calculated as a percentage of your home’s dwelling coverage limit. For example, if your home is insured for $300,000 and your policy includes a 1% wind and hail deductible, your deductible would be $3,000.
Because percentage-based deductibles are tied to your home’s insured value, they may be higher than a flat-dollar deductible or your policy’s standard AOP deductible. If your dwelling coverage limit increases over time, your percentage-based deductible will increase as well.
Where Can You Find Your Wind and Hail Deductible?
The easiest place to find your wind and hail deductible is on your policy’s declarations page. A declarations page is a summary of your policy that outlines key details, such as your coverages, limits, and deductibles.
Depending on your policy, you may see both a standard deductible and a separate wind and hail deductible listed on the declarations page or in your renewal documents.
What to Review Before Storm Season
Understanding your wind and hail deductible is an important part of preparing for severe weather. Before storm season, take a few minutes to review whether your deductible is a flat-dollar amount or a percentage of your dwelling coverage and make sure you know what you could be responsible for paying after a covered event.
It’s also a good time to review your dwelling coverage limit and consider whether any recent renovations, additions, or major home improvements could affect your home’s rebuilding cost.
Whether you have a homeowners insurance policy, WesPak® home and auto policy, or WesPak® Estate high-value home and auto policy, your Westfield agent can help answer questions about your coverage and make sure it still meets your needs.
The information contained herein is provided solely as a general overview of products and services offered by Westfield and does not replace the terms and conditions of your actual policy language. This information is not to be considered a firm offer to sell insurance and does not constitute a binding contract. All applications for insurance are subject to normal underwriting standards and guidelines applicable to a risk. For more information on coverages and limits, please contact your Westfield agent. Westfield reserves the right to change any of the terms and conditions or the availability of products and services. Products and services may not be available in all states.
