Oklahoma roof deductibles and Class 4 discounts

Your wind and hail deductible

The Oklahoma Insurance Department says a wind and hail deductible is usually set at 1% of the dwelling amount but can be 2% to 5%. A percentage deductible is a percentage of your dwelling coverage, not of the claim. On a house insured for $250,000:

Find yours on the declarations page. If the damage is below or slightly above your deductible, the Oklahoma Insurance Department says you may want to pay for the repairs rather than file a claim.

Nobody else can pay it for you

Under 59 O.S. 1151.30, a roofer working on an insurance-paid job may not advertise or promise to pay all or part of your insurance deductible, and if one does, your insurer does not have to consider that roofer's estimate. Every roofer must give you written notice of the deductible rule with its first estimate. The Oklahoma Insurance Department tells homeowners to avoid contractors who offer to waive the deductible or promise a rebate, and notes that it is against the law. That includes "discounts" equal to the deductible, rebates, and paying you for a yard sign.

If the claim is denied

If your roofing contract will be paid from an insurance claim, you may cancel it within 72 hours after you receive written notice from your insurer that all or part of the claim was denied (59 O.S. 1151.21). After you cancel under that rule, the contractor must return your payments within 10 days. A contractor who did emergency work you agreed to in writing may keep the reasonable value of that work. Before you sign, the contractor must give you the 72-hour cancellation statement in bold 12-point type with a Notice of Cancellation form attached.

Who negotiates the claim

In a 2010 bulletin, the Oklahoma Insurance Department said a roofer must be licensed as a public adjuster to negotiate your claim or act as a go-between with your insurer. A roofer may give you an estimate to submit and may be present when the adjuster inspects. Your agent or insurer handles the claim, or you can hire a licensed public adjuster, who takes a share of the payment.

Class 4 shingles and FORTIFIED roofs

The Oklahoma Insurance Department says homes with a FORTIFIED designation in Oklahoma receive discounts on the wind portion of the homeowners premium. Each insurer sets its own discount. We did not find an Oklahoma statute that requires insurers to give a set discount for Class 4 shingles. Ask your insurer in writing what it gives for a Class 4 roof, and for a FORTIFIED designation, before you choose.

Oklahoma's Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program pays up to $10,000 toward upgrading a roof to the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard. It is open to an Oklahoma primary residence with an in-force homeowners policy that includes wind coverage; apartments, duplexes, condos and manufactured homes are not eligible. The grant is paid directly to the contractor after the program requirements are met. The homeowner pays the evaluation fees and any cost above the grant. The Oklahoma Insurance Department opens the program periodically during the year, so check oid.ok.gov/okready for the current window. Class 4 shingles in Tulsa.

Claim steps the state recommends

The Oklahoma Insurance Department advises taking photos or video of the damage, making temporary repairs, saving all receipts, and not making permanent repairs until your insurer has inspected. The Oklahoma Insurance Department says replacement cost policies require the work to be completed within six months of the date of loss. Check your own policy for its deadline.