If you’ve lived in the Northland for more than one spring, you’ve probably heard hail bouncing off the gutters. Storms are part of life in Gladstone, Liberty, North Kansas City and the rest of Clay and Platte County. When one hits, the first question most homeowners ask is “Will insurance cover this?” The second question, usually asked a little too late, is “What’s my deductible?”
This guide explains how wind and hail deductibles work on a Missouri homeowners policy, so you can check yours before the next storm instead of after it.
What Is a Wind and Hail Deductible?
A deductible is the part of a covered loss you pay before your insurance pays the rest. Many homeowners policies have one “all other perils” deductible that applies to things like a kitchen fire or a burst pipe. Some policies also have a separate deductible just for wind and hail damage.
That separate deductible can be set up two ways:
- Flat dollar deductible. You pay a set amount, like $1,000 or $2,500, on a covered wind or hail claim.
- Percentage deductible. You pay a percentage of your home’s dwelling coverage amount (Coverage A), not a percentage of the claim.
That second one surprises a lot of people, so let’s walk through it.
How a Percentage Deductible Works
Say your home has $300,000 of dwelling coverage and a 1% wind/hail deductible. Your deductible on a covered hail claim would be $3,000. At 2%, it would be $6,000. The math is based on your coverage limit, so as your dwelling coverage goes up at renewal, the dollar amount of your deductible goes up too.
This is just an illustration. Your actual deductible options depend on your policy, your home and the insurer’s guidelines. The point is to look at your declarations page and figure out the real dollar amount you’d owe, not just the percentage.
Why It Matters So Much in the Northland
Hail claims tend to involve roofs, siding, gutters, window screens and sometimes vehicles. Roof replacement is one of the bigger repair bills a homeowner can face. If your wind/hail deductible is higher than you realized, a storm that damages your roof could leave you with a larger out-of-pocket cost than you planned for.
It also matters for smaller storms. If the damage is less than your deductible, you’d typically handle the repair yourself, and you may decide not to file a claim at all.
Roof Age and How Your Roof Is Covered
Your deductible isn’t the only thing to look at. Many policies also spell out how roof damage is paid:
- Replacement cost generally pays to repair or replace the damaged roof with similar materials, minus your deductible.
- Actual cash value generally takes depreciation into account, so an older roof may be paid at a lower amount.
Some policies settle roofs differently based on age or roofing material. If your roof is getting older, ask your agent how it would be handled on your specific policy.
How to Choose the Right Deductible
There’s no single right answer. Here are a few questions that help:
- How much could you comfortably pay on short notice? Pick a deductible you could cover from savings without stress.
- How old is your roof? A newer, impact-resistant roof may change the math compared with an older roof.
- What’s the premium difference? A higher deductible often lowers your premium, but the trade-off is a bigger bill when you do have a claim. Ask to see quotes at a couple of deductible levels side by side.
- Do you plan to stay in the home? Long-term owners sometimes weigh roof upgrades and deductible choices together.
What to Do After a Hail Storm
- Check for damage safely from the ground. Look at gutters, downspouts, window screens, siding and soft metals like vents.
- Take photos and write down the date of the storm.
- Make temporary repairs to prevent more damage, like tarping a leak, and keep the receipts.
- Be careful with door-to-door contractors who show up after storms. Get references and read any contract before signing.
- Call your agent or insurer to talk through whether a claim makes sense with your deductible.
Local Help in Gladstone, Liberty and North Kansas City
We’re a local Allstate agency in the Northland, and reviewing deductibles is one of the most common things we help with. If you’re in Gladstone, North Kansas City, Liberty, Parkville, Riverside or Smithville, we can sit down with your declarations page and explain exactly what you’d owe on a hail claim. We also help homeowners anywhere in Missouri and Kansas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a percentage deductible a percentage of the claim?
No. A percentage wind/hail deductible is usually calculated from your dwelling coverage amount (Coverage A), not from the size of the claim. Check your declarations page to see the dollar amount.
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage in Missouri?
Hail is a covered peril on many homeowners policies, but coverage depends on your policy’s terms, exclusions, deductibles and how roofs are settled. An agent can review your specific policy.
Should I file a claim if the damage is close to my deductible?
If the damage is less than your deductible, the policy generally wouldn’t pay. When it’s close, it can help to get a contractor estimate and talk with your agent before deciding.
Can I change my wind and hail deductible?
Often, yes, usually at renewal or with a policy change, depending on what options are available for your home. Ask your agent to compare premiums at different deductible levels.
Talk to a Local Agent
Want a second set of eyes on your coverage? Request a free quote online or call our Gladstone office at 816-420-0502. We’re at 6812 N Oak Trafficway, Unit 3, Gladstone, MO 64118. Our other office is Hilt Group Agency, run by Eric Hilt, at 315 E 18th Ave, North Kansas City, MO 64116, phone 816-605-7683. We write policies throughout Missouri and Kansas.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Coverage, discounts and availability vary and are subject to policy terms, conditions, exclusions and underwriting. Talk with a licensed agent about your situation.
