Hurricane Deductible Calculator

How hurricane deductibles work

A hurricane (or “named storm” or “windstorm and hail”) deductible is a percentage of your dwelling coverage limit, not of the damage. On a home insured for $350,000, a 2% deductible is $7,000 — the first $7,000 of hurricane damage is yours. Many Houston-area policies carry 1% to 2%; homes closer to the coast and policies through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) can be higher.

What triggers the deductible matters. Most policies apply it only when the National Weather Service has named the storm, and only for a defined window around it. Damage from a derecho like May 2024, a spring hailstorm or an unnamed tropical system usually falls under the standard deductible instead. We have seen carriers apply the larger deductible to the wrong event, and that alone can cost a homeowner thousands.

Ways to reduce what you pay out of pocket

• Make sure the carrier’s estimate is complete; low scopes are the most common reason a claim “doesn’t meet the deductible”
• Include all wind damage: roof, fences, siding, gutters, screens, interior water from wind openings
• Confirm the deductible actually applies to the storm and dates in question
• Check whether separate structures, contents and ALE are affected by the same deductible

Frequently asked questions