Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. For roof claims in Georgia, this number is changing — and not in your favor.
Two Types of Deductibles
Flat deductible: A specific dollar amount — typically $1,000 to $2,500. You pay $2,000, insurance pays the rest. Simple.
Percentage deductible: A percentage of your home’s insured dwelling value. On a $350,000 dwelling coverage policy with a 2% hail deductible, you pay $7,000 before coverage begins.
The shift from flat to percentage deductibles for wind and hail has been one of the biggest changes in Georgia homeowners insurance over the past decade.
How to Find Your Deductible
Your declarations page lists your deductibles. Look for:
- “All peril deductible” or “standard deductible”
- “Wind/hail deductible” (may be different and higher)
If you see a percentage listed next to wind/hail — that’s a percentage deductible. Calculate your actual dollar amount by multiplying your dwelling coverage by that percentage.
Does This Affect Whether to File?
Absolutely. On a $10,000 roof claim with a $7,000 deductible, you’d net $3,000 — probably not worth the claims record impact. On a $16,000 claim with that same deductible, you’d net $9,000 — worth it.
A contractor inspection helps you assess the likely claim amount before you decide whether to file.
Can You Negotiate Your Deductible?
At policy renewal, yes. Talk to your agent about converting a percentage deductible back to a flat deductible — it may increase your premium slightly but reduce your risk exposure significantly.
Questions about your specific situation? Talk to our team →