Texas Hail Season Is Here: Is Your Homeowners Policy Ready?

If you live in North Texas, you already know the drill: clear morning, building clouds by noon, and by 4 PM the radar looks like a Jackson Pollock painting. Summer storm season is here, and with it comes the annual reminder that hail is one of the most expensive and most common homeowners insurance claims in the state.

Before the next cell rolls through Tarrant County, take 20 minutes to review your homeowners policy. Most people have not looked at it since they bought their house — and a lot can change.

The Wind and Hail Deductible: The Number Most Homeowners Don't Know

Ask most homeowners what their deductible is, and they will say "$1,000" or "$2,500." What they do not realize is that their policy likely has a separate wind and hail deductible that works completely differently.

Instead of a flat dollar amount, wind and hail deductibles in Texas are typically calculated as a percentage of your home's insured value — usually 1% to 2%. On a $400,000 home:

• 1% deductible = $4,000 out of pocket before insurance pays
• 2% deductible = $8,000 out of pocket before insurance pays

That is a significant number, and it catches homeowners off guard every storm season. Pull out your declarations page and look for "wind/hail deductible" or "hurricane deductible." If you cannot find it, call your agent.

Roof Age and How It Affects Your Claim Settlement

This is the one that surprises people most.

Over the past several years, Texas carriers have increasingly moved to actual cash value (ACV) settlement for older roofs — typically those 10 to 15 years old or more. ACV means the insurance company pays the depreciated value of your roof, not what it costs to replace it today.

Here is what that looks like in practice:

• Your 18-year-old roof needs full replacement after a hail storm
• Replacement cost: $20,000
• Depreciation applied: 60%
• ACV payout: $8,000
• Your out-of-pocket cost: $12,000 — plus your deductible

Replacement cost value (RCV) coverage pays the full replacement cost without depreciation deductions. If your roof is getting up in years, it is worth asking your agent whether your policy settles on RCV or ACV — and whether you can upgrade.

What a Standard Policy Covers (and What It Does Not)

A standard Texas homeowners policy covers hail and wind damage to your home's structure and your personal property. But there are important gaps:

Typically covered:

• Roof damage from hail and wind
• Siding, gutters, and windows
• Personal property damaged inside the home
• Additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable during repairs

Typically not covered:

• Flood damage (requires a separate flood policy)
• Foundation movement from soil expansion
• Damage from gradual wear and neglect
• Vehicles (covered under your auto policy's comprehensive coverage)

If you have a detached garage, fence, or outbuilding, check your "other structures" coverage limit — it is usually set at 10% of your dwelling coverage by default, which may not be enough.

The Storm-Chaser Problem

After every major hail event in North Texas, roofing contractors flood the neighborhoods. Some are legitimate. Many are not.

Be cautious of contractors who:

• Show up unsolicited and pressure you to sign immediately
• Offer to "work with your insurance" or waive your deductible (this is insurance fraud in Texas)
• Ask you to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) form before you have filed a claim

Always contact your insurance agent before signing anything with a contractor. Your agent can help you understand your coverage, guide you through the claims process, and recommend reputable contractors.

Before the Next Storm: A Quick Checklist

Take a few minutes now while the weather is calm:

• Find your declarations page — know your wind/hail deductible amount
• Check your roof age — ask your agent whether you have RCV or ACV settlement
• Review your dwelling coverage limit — construction costs have risen significantly; make sure your coverage reflects current rebuild costs
• Document your home — walk through with your phone and record a video of every room and the exterior; store it in the cloud
• Confirm your flood coverage — if you do not have a separate flood policy, ask your agent about options

When to Call Us

If you have not reviewed your homeowners policy in the past year, now is the right time. We work with multiple carriers and can compare your current coverage against what is available in the market — including options that may offer better roof settlement terms or lower wind/hail deductibles.

A quick policy review costs you nothing. A gap in coverage after a major hail storm can cost you tens of thousands.

Call or text us at 817.277.6166 — we are happy to walk through your current policy and make sure you are covered before the next storm season hits.