Is Your Deductible Too High to Cover Roof Damage? What Oklahoma Homeowners Should Know
When a tornado tears through Tulsa or hail hammers your roof in Broken Arrow, one thing becomes very clear—your homeowners insurance is either going to help... or it’s going to leave you hanging.
And for a lot of homeowners in Oklahoma, the biggest surprise isn’t the storm. It’s the deductible.
You’d be shocked how many families assume insurance will “take care of it,” only to find out they’re on the hook for thousands of dollars before a penny gets paid out.
Let’s break this down with zero fluff, zero scare tactics, and a whole lot of real-world experience from the roofing trenches. You deserve to know how this works, what you can do about it, and how Tier-One Roofing can help you walk through it with confidence—even when the wind’s howling.
What Is a Roof Insurance Deductible, Really?
At its core, your deductible is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket before your insurance starts covering the rest of the bill.
Think of it like this: if your roof suffers $15,000 in storm damage and your deductible is $5,000, your insurance company only pays $10,000.
Now here’s where things get tricky: most people don’t realize how variable these deductibles can be.
Some are flat-dollar amounts. Others are a percentage of your home’s value—which in this market, with rising home prices, could mean $7,000, $10,000, even more.
And when your roof’s shredded after a May hailstorm, guess what? That deductible is due now—not next month, not “once things settle down.”
Why Are Deductibles Getting So High in Oklahoma?
It’s not your imagination—deductibles are going up across the board. Here’s why:
Storm frequency: Oklahoma is one of the most hail-prone states in the country. Insurance companies know this. They price accordingly.
Rising repair costs: Materials, labor, and inflation are all driving up the cost of roof replacements. Insurers push more risk onto homeowners to control their own exposure.
Policy structuring: More insurers are pushing for “percentage-based deductibles” on wind and hail claims. These are calculated as a percentage of your home’s insured value, not a flat dollar amount.
For example, a 2% deductible on a $300,000 home = $6,000.
If you didn’t know that, you’re not alone. Most people don’t realize it until they file their first claim.
Here's the Real Problem
The moment your roof is damaged is not the time you want to realize you can't afford your deductible.
And we see it all the time.
Families call us in a panic. “My roof is leaking, the adjuster came out, and now my insurance says I owe $5,400 before they pay a dime. What do I do?”
It’s heartbreaking.
But here’s the good news: you have more control than you think.
Understanding the Two Deductible Types in Oklahoma
Let’s break down the two most common deductible structures found in Oklahoma homeowners policies:
1. Flat-Fee Deductible
This is a fixed dollar amount—like $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000. You pay this amount no matter how expensive the repair is.
✅ Pro: Easy to budget for.
✅ Con: May be higher to get this kind of policy (higher premiums).
✅ Best For: Homeowners who value predictability or who have savings set aside.
2. Percentage-Based Deductible
This is where things get dicey. Instead of a fixed dollar amount, your deductible is a percentage of your home’s insured value (not market value).
✅ Pro: Can lead to lower monthly premiums.
🚫 Con: Can result in unexpectedly high costs when damage happens.
🚫 Best For: People trying to lower premiums—but only if they’re aware of the risk.
What’s the “Right” Deductible?
There’s no perfect answer, but there is a practical one:
Choose a deductible you could comfortably pay within 48 hours of your roof being destroyed.
That’s the gut-check moment.
If a spring storm rips half your roof off and you suddenly have to cover a $6,800 deductible before any work begins, would you be okay?
If not, your deductible is too high.
How to Find Out What Your Deductible Is
If it’s been a while since you reviewed your policy (or if you’re not even sure where it is), now’s the time.
Call your agent. Don’t email. Don’t wait. Just pick up the phone and ask:
“Can you walk me through my current wind and hail deductible?”
“Is it a flat amount or a percentage of my insured value?”
“What would I owe out of pocket if I had a $15,000 roofing claim?”
Write it down. If they’re vague or use confusing terms, ask again until you get real numbers.
Then—call us.
At Tier-One Roofing, we’ll look at your home, your roof condition, and your policy side-by-side, and help you get a handle on what you’re really exposed to.
We’ve walked hundreds of homeowners through this. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
What Happens If You Can’t Afford Your Deductible?
This is where it gets real.
If you can’t pay your deductible, most roofing companies won’t begin work—and insurance won’t either. Your claim may be held up, or worse, closed.
You have a few options:
1. Financing
Tier-One Roofing partners with flexible, fast-approval financing providers. If you need help bridging the deductible gap, we can help you apply and get funded—often the same day.
We know how important it is to get repairs done quickly after a storm. We’ll never leave you stuck just because of paperwork.
2. Policy Review + Adjustments
Sometimes, insurance companies will re-open or adjust a claim—especially if it was misclassified or if there’s newly discovered damage.
We can inspect the roof ourselves, document what was missed, and work with your adjuster directly. It doesn’t always work, but it’s worth a try—and we don’t charge for the effort.
3. Public Adjusters (In Some Cases)
If your insurance company is really stonewalling and you know your roof damage is significant, we can recommend licensed public adjusters we trust.
These folks work on your behalf—not the insurer’s—to maximize the claim payout. (Be warned: they take a cut, and it’s only worth it in higher-dollar disputes.)
Why It’s Illegal for Roofers to “Cover” Your Deductible
Let’s clear this up.
If a roofer offers to “waive” your deductible or “cover it under the table,” that’s insurance fraud. Plain and simple.
Not only is it illegal in Oklahoma (and many other states), but it puts you at massive risk if the insurance company finds out—and they do find out.
At Tier-One Roofing, we follow the law, we follow the codes, and we keep you protected.
How Tier-One Roofing Helps You Plan for the Unexpected
Look—we get it.
No one plans for their roof to be torn up by golf-ball-sized hail or blown halfway to Arkansas by 75-mph winds. And most people don’t have $5,000 just sitting in a roof emergency fund.
That’s why our process puts transparency first:
We’ll review your insurance documents with you.
We’ll provide a no-BS inspection and clearly document the damage.
We’ll help you understand what’s covered, what’s not, and what your deductible actually means for your wallet.
We’ll help you access financing, submit supplements, and speak directly with your adjuster when needed.
Our team is local. Veteran-owned. Rooted in Tulsa. And we take your roof—and your peace of mind—seriously.
Whether you’re trying to figure out if your deductible is too high or you just want a second opinion on your current policy before the next storm season, give us a call.
We’re not here to sell you something you don’t need.
We’re here to keep a roof over your head—and your finances intact.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Every spring in Oklahoma, we get the same calls:
“I thought insurance would cover this...”
“I didn’t realize my deductible was that high...”
“Can you help us figure this out?”
Yes, we can.
But the best time to prepare is before the wind starts howling.
So here’s your move:
📞 Call Tier-One Roofing today for a free policy + roof review.
🔍 Let’s look at your exposure, your deductible, and your next steps—together.
✅ No pressure. No games. Just real answers from people who care.
Because when your roof is on the line, you don’t need a contractor.
You need a partner.
And that’s what Tier-One Roofing is built to be.