Colorado wind/hail deductible explained
Most Colorado homeowners have a percentage-based wind/hail deductible — not a flat dollar amount. Here's what that means for your out-of-pocket costs after a hailstorm.
What is a wind/hail deductible?
A wind/hail deductible is a separate deductible that applies specifically to claims caused by wind or hail damage. It is listed separately on your declarations page from your standard homeowners deductible.
Most standard homeowners deductibles in Colorado are flat dollar amounts — $1,000 or $2,500 for example. Wind/hail deductibles are almost always percentage-based, calculated as a percentage of your home's insured dwelling value.
Why percentage deductibles matter
A 2% deductible sounds small. On a $500,000 home, it means you owe $10,000 out of pocket before your insurer pays a single dollar toward your hail damage claim.
Many Colorado homeowners don't realize this until they file a claim and discover their deductible is larger than the cost of the repairs. In those cases, filing a claim may not make financial sense.
Deductible dollar examples
| Home insured value | Deductible % | You owe |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | 1% | $3,000 |
| $400,000 | 1% | $4,000 |
| $500,000 | 2% | $10,000 |
| $600,000 | 2% | $12,000 |
| $750,000 | 2% | $15,000 |
| $500,000 | 3% | $15,000 |
Before insurance pays anything. Based on dwelling coverage value, not market value.
How to find your deductible
Your wind/hail deductible is listed on your declarations page — the summary page at the front of your policy documents. Look for a line that says "Wind/Hail Deductible" or "Named Storm Deductible." It will show a percentage, typically 1%, 2%, or 3%.
If you can't find it, call your insurance agent and ask specifically: "What is my wind/hail deductible percentage and what dwelling value is it applied to?"
ACV vs RCV — a second critical policy question
Beyond your deductible percentage, the other crucial question is whether your policy pays Actual Cash Value (ACV) or Replacement Cost Value (RCV).
An ACV policy depreciates your roof before paying out. A 15-year-old asphalt shingle roof may be valued at 40–50% of replacement cost — meaning your insurer pays half of what a new roof costs, less your deductible. An RCV policy pays the full cost of a new comparable roof, less your deductible. The difference on a $15,000 roof replacement can be $6,000–$8,000 out of pocket.
Calculate your deductible dollar amount before contacting your insurer. If your repair estimate is less than or close to your deductible, filing a claim may not make financial sense — and may increase your premiums. Get an independent repair estimate first.
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