Do I Have to Pay My Insurance Deductible?
Property owners often ask us whether they need to pay a deductible to use their homeowner’s insurance for a roofing repair or replacement.
The short answer is YES, you do need to pay it if you want your homeowner’s insurance to kick in some money to cover the cost of your roof work.
In fact, Oklahoma and Texas homeowners are required by law to pay their deductible when they file a homeowner’s insurance claim.
So, what is a deductible, when shouldn’t you pay it, and what should you do if a roofer offers to pay your deductible for you? Keep reading to find out.
What is a Deductible?
From health insurance to car insurance, you’ll find a deductible with pretty much any insurance you use. A deductible is a set amount of money that you’ll have to pay before your insurance company will send you any money or do any work on your claim. Essentially, the deductible is the portion of your claim which you are responsible for.
When SHOULD You Pay Your Deductible?
If you’re about to spend a lot of money on your home, like if you need a new roof, insurance can be a lifesaver. Most roofs cost around 10% of the value of your home, which is a lot! Paying your deductible, in this instance, can save you money because you’ll only be paying for a small portion of the materials and labor on your own. Your insurance company will pay the remainder.
When SHOULDN’T You Pay Your Deductible?
If you just need a small gutter repair or a little paint, you may not need to pay your deductible, or even file a claim with your insurance company. If the cost of repairs is less than your deductible, you’ll actually save money by paying the cost out of pocket. This is the one instance in which we often recommend that homeowners DON’T pay their deductible.
If a Roofer Says, "We'll Pay Your Deductible," Beware!
You wouldn't expect your doctor to pay your health insurance deductible. Likewise, you wouldn't expect Geico to pay your deductible after a car accident.
Yes, it seems like you’re paying them a lot, but most of your insurance check will be used to pay for materials and labor.
If a roofing contractor says they’ll “pay your deductible,” it’s safe to assume they’re recovering that money somewhere else on a project. They have to be able to pay their employees and stay in business, so they’re not going to just take a loss on your project.
If they DO pay your deductible, they’re going to cut costs elsewhere to make up the difference. For example, they might use cheap shingles or rush through the installation to save on labor costs.
Ways Shady Contractors Cut Corners
To recover the cost of the deductible that they paid, we’ve seen other roofers cut costs by:
1. Reusing Old Flashing
Flashing is used to cover exposed or weak areas of the roof to keep water out. They can rust and deteriorate over time, so reusing old ones is inviting a premature leak in your new roof.
2. Skimping on Ventilation
Ventilation is essential to extending the life of your roof, especially in Oklahoma’s hot summers and harsh winters.
We get really hot summers, and your roof acts like a greenhouse. It needs good ventilation channels so the heat can escape.
We also get hard freezes and ice storms in the winter, so ventilation helps the occasional snow and ice thaw evenly and drain off your roof, limiting the chances of an ice dam. When a roofer is trying to skimp on costs and make a bigger profit, they often skip over this essential step, which greatly reduces the effective lifespan of your new roof.
3. Using "Second-Grade" Shingles
“Second-grade” shingles are cheaper because they often have defects. It can save a ton of money for your roofer, but really harm your property over time.
4. Doing the Work Quickly and with Poor Quality
The less time they spend on your roof, the more time they can spend on someone else's. More roofs done means more money, but that also means you're more likely to run into issues with your roof because the work was done too quickly.
A Contractor You Can Trust
Your roof protects everything inside your home that matters to you, so it’s worth investing in. If you’re looking for a roofing contractor who will do quality work without cutting corners, get in touch with us. You can call us at 405-768-2626 or click below to schedule a Free Roof Inspection.
