Wind/Hail Deductible
A separate deductible that applies only to losses caused by wind or hail. Often expressed as a percentage of the dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount, resulting in a higher deductible than standard perils.
A wind/hail deductible is a separate deductible on a property policy that applies only to losses caused by wind or hail. In storm-prone states, it is often expressed as a percentage of the dwelling coverage and is significantly larger than the standard perils deductible.
How the Wind/Hail Deductible Applies
When damage is caused by wind or hail, the wind/hail deductible substitutes for the standard deductible. On a $400,000 dwelling with a $1,000 flat deductible and a 2 percent wind/hail deductible, a kitchen fire claim uses the $1,000 deductible. A hailstorm claim uses the 2 percent wind/hail deductible, or $8,000. Contractors estimating roof losses should confirm which deductible applies before discussing net payout with the homeowner.
Percentage vs Flat Structure
Some carriers write wind/hail as a flat dollar amount (such as $2,500 or $5,000) and others as a percentage of coverage A. Percentage deductibles scale with home value, meaning higher-value homes face larger out-of-pocket costs on wind/hail claims. A handful of carriers in specific states use a hybrid structure with both a minimum flat amount and a percentage.
Regional Practices
Coastal and Gulf states, along with tornado-prone Plains states, use percentage wind/hail deductibles as the default. In inland areas with less storm exposure, flat deductibles dominate. When homeowners move between regions or change carriers, the deductible structure often changes too, and many policyholders do not notice until a claim arises.
Frequently asked questions
Carriers treat wind and hail as higher-frequency, higher-severity perils, especially in storm-prone regions. Applying a higher deductible to those perils lets carriers keep overall premiums more affordable while shifting more of the wind/hail risk to the policyholder.
No. A wind/hail deductible applies to any wind or hail loss, including from unnamed thunderstorms. A named storm deductible only applies to losses caused by a storm named by the National Hurricane Center. A policy may have both, with the named storm deductible taking precedence when the trigger is met.
Commonly 1 to 5 percent of the dwelling coverage, though some regions and carriers use higher percentages. On a $400,000 dwelling with a 2 percent wind/hail deductible, the deductible is $8,000. Confirm your policy because the specific percentage is always on the declarations page.
No credit card required