Homeowners insurance in Oklahoma typically covers hail damage, including damage to your roof, siding, and windows. However, purely cosmetic damage may not be covered. Many policies also have a separate wind and hail deductible for covered hail damage claims.
How does homeowners insurance cover hail damage in Oklahoma?
Standard homeowners insurance covers hail damage, but coverage details vary depending on what part of your home or property is affected. Claims may be denied if the damage is pre-existing or cosmetic.
Here's how hail damage is typically handled across each part of a standard policy:
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Coverage type |
What is typically covered |
What is typically excluded |
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The physical structure of your home and any attached structures |
Pre-existing damage and some cosmetic damage |
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Detached structures on your property, like sheds and gazebos |
Pre-existing damage and some cosmetic damage |
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Personal belongings if hail breaks through your roof, walls, or windows |
Pre-existing, some cosmetic, and vehicle damage. High-value items usually have per-item coverage limits. |
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Certain additional expenses you might incur if your home is uninhabitable due to a covered claim |
Existing expenses like your mortgage and HOA dues |
Pro tip: Homeowners insurance does not cover hail damage to your vehicle. Car insurance — specifically, comprehensive coverage — covers weather-related damage to your vehicle. Some insurers offer a single deductible option for incidents that damage your home and car if you carry home and auto insurance with the same provider.
For hail damage to your home, your deductible details and your coverage settlement basis are the biggest determinants of your hail damage payout. Your coverage settlement can be actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV). ACV policies pay to replace or repair your home and possessions at their depreciated value, while RCV policies pay for the cost of repairs or replacements at today’s market value.
Oklahoma wind & hail deductibles explained
A deductible is the amount of damage you’re required to cover out of pocket in the event of an approved insurance claim. Oklahoma home insurance policies usually have a standard flat deductible (often called an all other perils deductible) that applies to damage from events like fire and theft and a separate wind and hail deductible.
Wind and hail deductibles may be a flat amount, but often they are percentage-based instead. Percentage-based deductibles are commonly 1% to 5% of your home’s total insured value, referred to as your dwelling coverage limit. For example, if you have $300,000 in dwelling coverage and a 2% wind and hail deductible, you would be responsible for the first $6,000 of hail damage out of pocket.
You can check the declarations page of your policy for full deductible details, or speak with your insurer if you have questions.
Oklahoma wind & hail buy-down options
Some home insurance companies in Oklahoma offer wind/hail deductible buy-down options. This reduces your financial responsibility for your percentage-based deductible in exchange for a higher cost of coverage (called your premium in insurance-speak). Not all insurance companies offer this option, so ask your insurance provider or agent whether a buy-down is available for your policy.
Using the example above, if you have a $6,000 out-of-pocket responsibility based on your wind and hail deductible, but you purchase a buy-down package that caps your financial responsibility at $2,500, you would only need to pay $2,500 out of pocket when filing a wind or hail claim. It is worthwhile to compare the cost of a buy-down package with your percentage-based deductible to decide if this add-on is worth the added premium.
ACV vs. RCV: How it affects your Oklahoma hail payout
Your policy’s declarations page will outline the details for each of your coverage types. You may be able to access your declarations page via your account on your insurer’s online portal, or you may have received a hard copy.
- Actual cash value (ACV) coverage reimburses you for repairs or replacements at your home or belongings’ market value minus depreciation.
- Replacement cost value (RCV) coverage reimburses you for repairs or replacements at today’s prices — depreciation is not considered, so payouts are higher.
It’s most common to have ACV coverage for your personal property and RCV coverage for your dwelling, but you may have the option to upgrade. However, you’ll pay more for your policy if you do.
Note: If you have RCV coverage, your claim payout will usually be split into an initial payout and a supplementary payout once repairs and item replacements are finished and the final costs are documented. For this reason, it’s important to retain detailed receipts for construction and purchases.
Hail damage that may not be covered in Oklahoma
Pre-existing damage — from hail or something else — is never covered by Oklahoma home insurance. Damage caused by deferred maintenance on your home is not covered, either.
Policies also typically exclude (don’t cover) cosmetic-only hail damage. For example, if hail damages your shingles but the roof is still functional, your home insurance policy may not cover the cost of repairs.
Home insurance policies always exclude flood damage, even if the flooding is caused by a hail storm. For flood coverage, you’ll need to purchase flood insurance as a policy add-on, if available. Otherwise, you can purchase a separate policy from a private insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program.
How to reduce your hail damage risk in Oklahoma
Weatherproofing your home can potentially reduce hail damage when storms pass through and may reduce your home insurance premium. Strategies to reduce your hail damage risk in Oklahoma include:
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Install impact-resistant (Class 4) shingles: These shingles are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions in Oklahoma and usually have a lifespan of 35 to 50 years. Many insurance companies offer discounted rates for homes with upgraded shingles.
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Inspect and repair your roof: If you’re not ready to upgrade your shingles (or you already have), schedule regular roof inspections and maintenance to give your roof the best fighting chance in extreme weather conditions.
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Prepare for storms: Board up windows, stow and/or secure outdoor furniture, and park your vehicle(s) in a garage or under a carport if possible when hail storms are expected.
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Prevent further damage: If you do experience hail damage, take proactive measures to prevent further damage. This includes tarping windows and roof leaks to stop water intrusion. Most insurers require you to prevent further damage as a condition of your insurance coverage.
If you want to make weatherproofing upgrades to your home, the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes (SOH) program offers grants to make roof upgrades that meet FORTIFIED Home standards. Grants are funded by insurance companies operating in the state. They are for new and existing single-family homes that are owner-occupied as a primary residence. Grant applications and application window information are available online.
How to file a hail damage claim in Oklahoma
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Document damage: Take photos and videos of damage before doing any cleanup. Make note of the storm date and time of damage to the best of your knowledge.
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Prevent further damage: Use tarps, sandbags, and other remediation materials to limit further damage. Keep receipts for any materials purchased, as these are generally eligible for reimbursement as part of your claim.
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Report your claim: Filing your hail damage insurance claim promptly will ensure you don’t miss any filing deadlines. Oklahoma requires insurers to acknowledge claims within 30 business days of filing and approve or deny them within 45 days.
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Seek a second opinion: Insurance adjusters assess damage for hail claims, but getting a second opinion from a licensed contractor can be helpful. Verify contractor licenses through the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, and keep an eye out for scams that target storm victims. Being pressured to sign repair contracts quickly or avoid communication with your insurance company are red flags that indicate potential scams.
Oklahoma’s Insurance Department consumer assistance line is available to help homeowners navigate the claims process. The department’s EAGLE program is certified by the Oklahoma Supreme Court and offers the opportunity for insurers and consumers who disagree on a claims resolution to mediate insurance conflicts without going to court.
Frequently asked questions
Will homeowners insurance pay for hail damage?
Homeowners insurance will typically help pay for hail damage as long as the damage is not pre-existing or cosmetic in nature. In most cases, you will be responsible for a wind and hail deductible in the event of claimable damage. Your deductible is usually paid to the contractor doing the repairs, who will receive the remainder of the payment from your insurer, up to your coverage limits.
Is it worth making an insurance claim for hail damage?
Whether to file a hail damage claim depends on a few factors. Filing a claim when repair costs are close to your deductible amount means you may pay out of pocket anyway, and some policies apply a claims-free discount that could be affected by a claim. Insurance rates can also increase when your policy renews after a claim is filed. On the other hand, home insurance exists to help cover the cost of significant or unexpected damage, so the extent of the damage and the cost of repairs are worth weighing carefully. If you do file a claim and make repairs, installing hail-resistant upgrades during the process can help reduce future damage and may qualify you for a policy discount.
Is there a deductible for wind and hail in Oklahoma?
Most Oklahoma insurance policies carry a separate wind and hail deductible. This deductible is typically percentage-based and calculated based on your dwelling coverage limit.
How much does insurance usually pay out for hail damage?
From 2019 to 2023, the average wind and hail claim was $14,747 nationwide, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Hail damage claim payouts will depend on the severity of the damage, your deductible, your selected coverage types, and whether your policy has actual cash value or replacement cost value coverage.
