The Truth About Roof Deductibles in Texas

Can a Roofer Cover Your Deductible?

In a word: “No.”

There really should be no debate over this, yet there are far too many unethical contractors who take part in this practice. You will never find someone from your insurance carrier telling you this is acceptable, and a deductible-covering contractor will never disclose the details on a final invoice.

Below are a few important facts to know before you do business with a company that offers to "cover" your deductible. (Please note, we offer no legal opinion or advice).

What Does An Insurance Contract Say About Deductibles?

You pay a premium for protection against a big loss. Your insurance is not there for small losses, so there is a deductible amount that must be exceeded before coverage kicks in. This deductible always comes first.

If your deductible is $1,500 and you have a loss that is less than $1,500, your insurance owes you nothing. If you have a $12,000 loss, your insurance company would owe you $10,500, and the $1,500 would be paid by you. For any loss above your deductible, your part will always be the same: your deductible amount.

Shopping For A Better Price Does Not Save Your Deductible

What if a roofer can do the job for $10,500 when your adjuster estimated $12,000? Did you just save your deductible? No.

If the job costs $10,500, your insurance company only owes $9,000. There is no financial reward for finding a lower price. The only way a deductible is "saved" is by a contractor turning in a false invoice reflecting a higher dollar amount. This constitutes fraud and can get you, the homeowner, in serious trouble.

Texas Law: House Bill 2102 (Chapter 707)

The Texas Legislature has made the deductible issue black and white. House Bill 2102 (Chapter 707 of the Texas Insurance Code) strictly requires homeowners to pay their property insurance deductible.

It is a violation of state law for contractors to waive, absorb, rebate, or “cover” a deductible in any way. Violations are treated as criminal offenses, and insurers are allowed to require reasonable proof that the deductible was actually paid before releasing funds.