What is a percentage-based wind/hail deductible?
It’s a deductible figured as a percentage of the building’s insured value, applied specifically to wind and hail losses — separate from, and usually larger than, the policy’s standard all-perils deductible. Instead of a flat $5,000, a 2% wind/hail deductible on a building insured for $5 million is $100,000. The percentage looks small; the dollar figure isn’t, because it’s multiplied against the whole insured value of the structure.
| Deductible type | How it’s calculated | Example on $5M insured value |
|---|---|---|
| Flat all-perils | Fixed dollar amount | $5,000 |
| 1% wind/hail | 1% of insured value | $50,000 |
| 2% wind/hail | 2% of insured value | $100,000 |
| 5% wind/hail | 5% of insured value | $250,000 |
(Illustrative model, not an actual policy.) The exact percentage and the base it applies to — whole-building value, per-building, or per-occurrence — are in your policy. Read them before a storm, not after.
Why are KC deductibles rising?
Because hail losses in the region are climbing fast and insurers are passing the cost through. Severe convective storms (hail, wind, tornado) drove $54 billion in U.S. insured losses in 2024 (Insurance Information Institute). In Kansas specifically, storm-season claims reached about $612 million in 2024, with home insurers paying $1.36 in losses for every $1 of premium and raising rates roughly 15% in 2025 (Insurify, citing NAIC data).
When carriers pay out more than they collect, they respond two ways: higher premiums, and more risk shifted onto policyholders through bigger percentage-based wind/hail deductibles. For a KC association, that means the master policy still covers hail — but the association’s share of each claim keeps growing. Plan for a larger out-of-pocket number than last renewal.
How does the deductible change the claim decision?
The deductible decides whether a claim is even worth filing and how much the association self-funds on a covered loss. If hail damage to the siding is, say, $80,000 but the wind/hail deductible is $100,000, there’s no net recovery — the association pays the whole repair and the claim only counts against the loss history. On a larger loss the claim pays, but the association still funds the deductible from reserves, an assessment, or a loan.
So the board’s analysis is simple: estimate the siding-and-roof loss, compare it to the wind/hail deductible, then decide whether and how to file. This is exactly why siding shouldn’t be under-scoped — scoping siding together with the roof can push a marginal claim above the deductible. See filing a multifamily siding insurance claim.
How does the deductible feed the funding plan?
The deductible is a direct input to the funding side. Whatever the association pays out of pocket — the full repair below the deductible, or the deductible portion on a covered loss — has to come from reserves, a special assessment, or a loan. And because neither Missouri nor Kansas requires associations to fund reserves, many KC boards meet the deductible with little saved, which turns it straight into a special assessment.
The practical sequence:
- Know the deductible before the storm — the percentage and the base it applies to.
- Estimate the out-of-pocket share for a realistic hail loss.
- Pre-plan the funding for that share — reserves, assessment, or loan.
- Reduce future exposure with impact-resistant cladding.
A board that has already worked out “what a hail deductible would cost us, and where the money comes from” is far less likely to be caught off guard by a surprise assessment. See how associations pay for siding.
How does impact-resistant siding help with deductibles?
A siding selection does not by itself establish a lower deductible, fewer claims or a premium credit. Ask the insurer for a written response about the exact product and policy. Compare that response separately from manufacturer test reports and warranty terms; a roof classification is not automatic evidence for siding.
So the durable material is the long-game answer to rising deductibles. You can’t easily change the deductible, but you can reduce how often a hailstorm forces you to pay it. See impact-resistant siding for KC hail.
Does a roofing impact rating establish siding performance?
No. UL 2218 scope covers prepared steep-slope roof coverings. Do not assign a roof result to every steel wall panel. Ask for the exact siding product, applicable test report, conditions and limitations. Cosmetic denting, finish damage, water entry, warranty coverage and insurance treatment are separate questions.