Texas leads the nation in hail claims, and North Texas takes a disproportionate share of them. If you own a home in DFW long enough, you will file one of these.
The process isn’t complicated, but a few specific things determine whether it goes well.
First: Find Your Wind and Hail Deductible
Do this before you do anything else, because it may change your decision entirely.
Most Texas homeowners policies carry a separate wind and hail deductible, expressed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage — not a flat dollar amount. A 1% or 2% deductible is common.
On a home insured for $400,000:
- 1% deductible = $4,000
- 2% deductible = $8,000
- 5% deductible = $20,000
People routinely expect the $1,000 flat deductible they have for other perils and discover this number mid-claim. Find yours on your declarations page today.
Step 1: Document Before You Repair
Photograph everything: roof (from the ground or with a drone — don’t climb up there yourself), gutters, downspouts, window screens, siding, garage door, AC condenser fins, fencing, outdoor furniture. Hail damage to soft metal like gutters and AC fins is often the easiest evidence to demonstrate.
Note the date and approximate time of the storm. If you can find a local news report or NWS record for that hail event, save it.
Step 2: Make Temporary Repairs Only
You’re expected to prevent further damage — tarp an opening, board a broken window. Keep those receipts, since reasonable emergency repairs are usually reimbursable.
Don’t make permanent repairs before the adjuster inspects. Once the evidence is gone, you’re arguing about damage nobody can verify.
Step 3: File the Claim
Contact your insurer or agent. You’ll get a claim number and an adjuster assignment. Note the date you filed — it starts a legal clock.
Step 4: Know Your Insurer’s Deadlines
The Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act gives insurers hard deadlines, and this is real leverage most homeowners don’t know they have:
- 15 days to acknowledge your claim, begin investigating, and request what they need from you
- 15 business days to accept or reject in writing after receiving all requested information (extendable by 45 days with written explanation)
- 5 business days to pay after accepting
Two important caveats. When TDI declares a weather catastrophe — which happens after major hail events — these deadlines extend by an additional 15 days. And if an insurer violates them, statutory interest plus attorney’s fees can apply.
The practical takeaway: document the date you submitted every requested item. That’s what the clock runs from.
Step 5: Be Present for the Inspection
Walk the property with the adjuster. Point out everything you found. If you’ve had a roofing contractor look at it, having their assessment in hand is useful — but be careful about who you invite into this.
A Word About Storm-Chasing Contractors
After every significant Texas hail event, out-of-area contractors flood the neighborhood. Some are legitimate. Many are not.
Warning signs worth taking seriously: pressure to sign immediately, an offer to “waive” or absorb your deductible (that’s insurance fraud, and it implicates you), no local address or Texas license, demanding large money up front, or asking you to sign something that assigns your claim rights to them.
Use a contractor with a permanent local presence and a real reputation to protect.
If You Disagree With the Outcome
You have options beyond accepting the first number:
- Ask for a re-inspection and submit your own contractor’s detailed estimate.
- Invoke the appraisal clause. Most policies contain one. It’s a process for resolving disputes about the amount of loss (not whether it’s covered) using independent appraisers and an umpire. It’s faster and cheaper than litigation.
- File a complaint with TDI. Companies must respond within a set window.
Note that weather-related property claims in Texas also carry a 60-day pre-suit notice requirement under Chapter 542A before litigation can begin.
Key Takeaways
- Your wind/hail deductible is likely a percentage of dwelling coverage, not a flat amount. Know it.
- Document thoroughly before any permanent repair.
- Insurers face statutory deadlines: 15 days to acknowledge, 15 business days to decide, 5 business days to pay — extended by 15 days after a declared catastrophe.
- Avoid contractors who offer to cover your deductible. That’s fraud.
- Appraisal is an underused option when you disagree about the amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a hail damage claim in Texas?
Policies generally require prompt notice, and Texas law provides a limitations period for property claims. Waiting is risky — the longer the gap between the storm and the claim, the harder it is to prove the damage came from that event.
Will filing a hail claim raise my rates?
Weather claims are non-fault events and are generally treated differently from at-fault claims, but claim history can affect pricing and eligibility. For damage well below your deductible, filing usually isn’t worthwhile.
What is a percentage deductible?
A deductible calculated as a percentage of your dwelling coverage limit rather than a fixed dollar amount. On a $400,000 home, a 2% wind/hail deductible is $8,000.
Can a contractor waive my deductible?
No. It is illegal in Texas for a contractor to pay, waive, or rebate your insurance deductible, and participating can expose you to liability.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not insurance or legal advice. Coverage varies by policy and insurer. Consult your agent or the Texas Department of Insurance for guidance on your situation.
Storm damage and not sure where to start? Call (817) 750-1051. We handle these constantly. See our home insurance coverage or request a free policy review.
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