STL Public Adjusting

Wind and Hail Deductibles in Missouri and Illinois: What Homeowners Need to Know Before Filing a Claim

March 21, 2026

Spring in Missouri and Illinois means severe weather—thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes that can damage your home. If you have a homeowners insurance policy in the St. Louis metro area, chances are you have a separate wind and hail deductible. It's a crucial detail that can mean the difference between a claim that pays out and one that leaves you footing the entire bill. Many homeowners don't realize their deductible is a percentage of their dwelling coverage, not a flat dollar amount, and they only find out when it's too late. Here's what you need to know before the next storm hits.

What Is a Wind/Hail Deductible?

Standard homeowners policies have a deductible that applies to most claims—usually a fixed amount like $1,000 or $2,500. But in hail and tornado-prone states like Missouri and Illinois, insurers commonly add a separate windstorm and hail deductible that is expressed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A).

For example: If your home is insured for $300,000 and your policy has a 2% wind/hail deductible, you must pay the first $6,000 of any wind or hail damage out of pocket before the insurance company pays anything. That's in addition to your standard deductible for other perils like fire or theft.

These deductibles can range from 1% to 5% (or even higher) depending on your location, the age and condition of your roof, and your insurer's underwriting guidelines. In high-risk areas within Missouri and Illinois—like counties with frequent hail reports—carriers may impose higher percentages.

When Does the Wind/Hail Deductible Apply?

The separate deductible applies when damage is caused by:

  • Wind (including straight-line winds and derechos)
  • Hail (any size, though some policies may have different thresholds)
  • Tornado damage
  • Hurricane or tropical storm winds (even if the storm is hundreds of miles away)
  • Cyclonic winds from severe thunderstorms

Some carriers may also expand the definition to include “catastrophic weather events” or may apply the higher deductible if a state of emergency is declared. It's critical to read your policy's definitions section carefully.

Important: If your roof damage is caused by a combination of perils—say, wind lifts the shingles and rain follows—the wind deductible may still apply because wind was the "efficient cause" of the loss. This is a frequent point of contention with insurers.

How the Deductible Is Calculated

There are two common methods:

  • Percentage of dwelling coverage (Coverage A). This is the most common in Missouri and Illinois. If your dwelling coverage is $350,000 and your wind deductible is 2%, your deductible is $7,000 regardless of the actual damage amount (unless the damage is less than $7,000, in which case the insurer pays nothing).
  • Fixed dollar amount. Less common nowadays but still found in some older policies or lower-risk areas. This is simply a set amount like $1,000 or $2,500.

Another twist: Some insurers use a tiered deductible. For example, 1% for the first $50,000 of damage, then 2% above that. Or they may have a different percentage for hail vs. wind. Always check your declarations page.

Why Wind/Hail Deductibles Exist

Insurers introduced these deductibles in tornado alley to limit their exposure to frequent, high severity storms. It's a risk-transfer mechanism that encourages homeowners to maintain their roofs and to think twice before filing small claims. But it also means that many legitimate storm damage claims result in zero payment if the damage doesn't exceed the deductible.

The deductible is subtracted from the total covered loss. If your roof repair estimate is $10,000 and your wind deductible is $7,000, the insurer pays $3,000—assuming they agree on the scope and pricing. If your estimate is $5,000, the insurer pays $0.

Common Misconceptions That Cost Missouri Homeowners

"My deductible is $1,000 like my other perils." No. The wind/hail deductible is almost always higher and is expressed as a percentage. Check your declarations page for a separate line item labeled "Windstorm or Hail Deductible."

"If I file a claim, they'll pay for the whole roof." Not if your deductible is 2-3% of a $300k home—that's $6,000-$9,000. Many homeowners are shocked when the insurer's payment is reduced by that amount.

"The adjuster will tell me what my deductible is." They might, but it's YOUR responsibility to know your policy. Don't rely on the adjuster to explain your coverage.

"I can file a claim for every little hail storm and the insurer will pay their share." Even if the damage exceeds your deductible, multiple claims in a short period could cause your insurer to non-renew your policy. Missouri and Illinois markets are already volatile; carriers are quick to drop high-risk homeowners.

"My roof is old, so the insurer will only pay ACV (Actual Cash Value) anyway." That's often true. Many policies exclude replacement cost coverage for roofs over a certain age (e.g., 10-15 years). Combine an ACV settlement with a high wind deductible and you could receive little to nothing for an old roof even after a major storm.

How to Find Your Wind/Hail Deductible

Look at your declarations page (Declarations, or "Dec Page"). You'll see a section for Deductibles. It might look like:

  • All Other Perils Deductible: $1,000
  • Windstorm or Hail Deductible: 2% of Coverage A

If it says "Takes the place of the standard deductible" or "Applies in lieu of the All Other Perils Deductible," then that's the only deductible that applies to wind/hail losses. If it says "In addition to the standard deductible," you may have to pay both (though that's rare—usually the wind deductible replaces the standard one for those perils).

Strategic Decisions Before You File

Don't automatically file a claim after a storm. Consider:

  • Is the damage clearly above my deductible? Get an independent contractor's estimate first. A reputable St. Louis roofer can often tell you if the damage is likely to exceed your deductible. If it's borderline, you may choose to pay out of pocket to avoid a claim on your record.
  • Will the insurer pay replacement cost or ACV? If your roof is older, they may only pay Actual Cash Value, which subtracts depreciation. That could leave you with far less than the repair cost even before applying the deductible.
  • Will filing this claim increase my premium or cause non-renewal? In Missouri and Illinois, insurers are increasingly selective. One large claim may not matter, but multiple claims in 3-5 years could get you dropped. Know your claims history.
  • Do I have supplemental damage? Sometimes initial assessments miss damage (decking, soffit, fascia, interior leaks). If you suspect hidden damage, a public adjuster can perform a thorough inspection and prepare a comprehensive estimate that may exceed the deductible.

When to Call a Public Adjuster

If your damage is significant—say, $15,000 or more—and you believe the insurer's payment after deductible is too low, a public adjuster can help. We will:

  • Verify that the correct deductible was applied (sometimes carriers misapply the standard deductible instead of the wind deductible or vice versa)
  • Document all damage, including items the adjuster missed (roof decking, flashing, interior water damage, gutters, siding, fences)
  • Prepare a detailed, market-based estimate using St. Louis-area material and labor costs
  • Negotiate with the insurer for a fair settlement that reflects the true scope
  • Ensure you're receiving recoverable depreciation if you have replacement cost coverage

If your claim is denied because the insurer says the damage is below your deductible, we can provide an independent assessment and may be able to overturn that decision if the damage was underestimated.

Know Your Policy Before Storm Season

The time to review your insurance policy is not after the tornado hits. Pull your declarations page now and check:

  • What is your dwelling coverage (Coverage A)?
  • What is your wind/hail deductible percentage?
  • Does your policy have a roof limitation or age exclusion (e.g., no replacement cost for roofs over 10 years)?
  • Do you have any endorsements for ordinance & law, matching, or water damage?

If your wind deductible is 3% or higher on a $300k home, that's a $9,000 out-of-pocket cost before insurance pays a dime. You may want to budget for that potential expense or consider increasing your emergency fund.

Storm damage in St. Louis, St. Charles, or anywhere in Missouri or Illinois? Contact STL Public Adjusting for a free, no-obligation claim review. We'll inspect your damage, interpret your policy, and help you decide whether to file—and if you do, we'll fight to maximize your settlement. Call 314-922-3083.