Homeowners will no longer have the expectation of a waived deductible for a hail damage roof claim; September 1, 2019 a new bill will be put into effect that will no longer permit the waiving of roof claim deductibles, this has been a common practice for deductible eaters to lure homeowners into signing a contract for a “free roof.” Any roofer that doesn’t collect a roof claim deductible can be charged with a class B misdemeanor offense. Roofers can no longer waive, absorb, pay for, rebate, offset, or in any way attempt to assist the homeowner’s deductible. The promise of a “free roof” is no longer on the table and the policyholder is now required to show Reasonable Proof of Payment to the insurer in the form of canceled check, copy of agreement for payment installment to the roofing contractor, proof of money order, or a credit card statement showing the charge for the deductible. Without reasonable proof of payment homeowners can expect insurance companies to withhold depreciation.  Although, it has been illegal to waive deductibles roofers have been able to get away with this practice cause of a poorly worded statute that was put into effect in 1989.

North Texas Homeowners can expect to see a higher quality of roofer next hail storm.

This legislation will now benefit North Texas residents and help to protect the roofers that are reputable from the stormchasers that break the law by offering below market bids and then doing inferior work. Homeowners will now be able to easily spot the corner cutters when their sales pitch offers the option to not pay the deductible. Mediocre roof salesmen will no longer be able to take advantage of the “Free Roof” pitch and North Texas Homeowners can guarantee if they are cutting deductibles than they are most likely using inferior labor and materials. HB2102 states that roofing contracts are required to contain language that specifies that deductibles must be paid. The roofing industry in North Texas will now benefit from ethical roofing practices by setting the bar higher for contractors.

“Texas law requires a person insured under a property insurance policy to pay any deductible applicable to a claim made under the policy. It is a violation of Texas law for a seller of goods or services who reasonably expects to be paid wholly or partly from the proceeds of a property insurance claim to knowingly allow the insured person to fail to pay, or assist the insured person’s failure to pay, the applicable insurance deductible.”

-HB2102

Homeowners should now be more conscious when choosing a policy and should possibly consider a low rate fixed deductible to ensure affordability when a roof replacement is needed. There are also several loan companies that specialize in financing roof deductibles for a low interest rate.

For help with your hail damaged roof or remodel contact 972-730-2594