It's one of the most common questions we get after a storm. Here's the short answer, why it matters for your claim, and what a good roofer can do for you instead.
Your policy is a contract. The insurance company agrees to pay for covered damage minus your deductible. When someone else quietly covers that amount, the numbers sent to the insurer stop being true.
If a roofer bills the full claim amount but only collects the insurance money, the insurer has paid more than its share. That gap is what makes it fraud.
A roofer who "eats" your deductible usually makes it up by padding the estimate, cutting corners on materials, or skipping steps you'll never see.
In some states the homeowner can be penalized too. Insurers can ask for proof you paid, and a claim built on a waived deductible can be reduced or denied.
Storm-heavy states have passed laws aimed directly at contractors who offer to cover deductibles. A few examples:
| State | Law | What it says | Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Bus. & Com. Code §27.02Strengthened by HB 2102 (2019) | Contractors can't waive, rebate, absorb, or promise to pay your deductible. Contracts on claims of $1,000 or more must state that the policyholder must pay the deductible. | Criminal penalties, including fines and possible jail time. Insurers may ask you for proof the deductible was paid. |
| Oklahoma | HB 1940Effective Nov. 1, 2022 | A roofer paid from insurance proceeds can't advertise or promise to pay all or part of your deductible, directly or indirectly. Customers must get written notice of the law. | The insurance company does not have to accept that contractor's estimate. |
| Colorado | C.R.S. §6-22-105SB 38 (2012) | Illegal for a roofing contractor to pay, waive, or rebate a homeowner's insurance deductible. | Class 2 misdemeanor: fines of $250 to $1,000, jail time, or both. |
Other states have similar rules. And in any state, telling your insurer the job cost more than you actually paid can be treated as insurance fraud. If you're unsure about your state, your state's Department of Insurance can tell you.
We'll take care of your deductible.
You'll get a new roof for free.
Storms rarely damage only the shingles. When every damaged item is found and documented, the repair scope is complete, so nothing is left out of what you submit. Your insurance company decides what is covered.
Your deductible is your cost. You pay the full deductible, every time.
Items that are often overlooked:
SkyView Restoration Group brings 25+ years of hands-on roofing and storm restoration experience. Here's how a visit works.
Trained inspectors check the entire roofing system and the storm-exposed parts of your property.
Photos and documentation of what we found, yours to keep whether or not you hire us.
If your roof is clear, we provide a Clearance Certificate to keep on file for your insurance and future storms.
The deductible is always yours to pay in full. SkyView can't cover, waive or help pay it. Some owners use savings, a loan or a card, so ask your lender or your insurance company about options.
Yes. In Texas, for example, insurers may ask for proof that the deductible was paid, such as a receipt or bank statement. Keep records of what you pay.
No. A roofer who offers to cover your deductible is breaking the law in many states and is asking you to take part. If they'll cut that corner, ask yourself what other corners they'll cut on your roof.
Your deductible stays the same. Your deductible stays the same either way. A complete, documented repair scope helps keep items from being left out, and your insurance company decides what it covers.
This page is general information about roofing and insurance deductibles, not legal advice. Laws differ by state and change over time. SkyView is not a contractor, public adjuster or law firm. For questions about your policy, contact your insurance company; for legal questions, contact an attorney or your state's Department of Insurance.
