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Roofs are a big deal for insurance companies in Texas.
Hail is not rare here. The form you buy — replacement cost or actual cash value — decides what you take home after the storm.
Replacement cost or actual cash value?
Replacement cost pays to put a similar roof back on, minus your deductible. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation for age. Example: a $10,000 roof with a $1,000 deductible, 10 years old and half-depreciated — replacement cost pays about $9,000; ACV pays about $4,000. That gap is why we argue for replacement cost when the house qualifies.
Deductibles
Many Texas policies use a percentage deductible for wind and hail, not a flat dollar amount. A 2% deductible on a $250,000 dwelling is $5,000 out of pocket. Higher deductibles lower the premium. Only pick one you can actually write a check for.
Filing and contractors
Call the office (or the carrier) before you sign a work order.
Use local companies. Get more than one written estimate.
Do not use a contractor who offers to waive your deductible. That is illegal in Texas.
Do not pay the full job up front.
Roofers cannot advertise that they will “handle your insurance claim.” Public adjusters are separate, and they cannot also do the repair.
