In the wake of severe weather events that frequently impact Oklahoma, homeowners face not only property damage but also the challenge of navigating insurance claims and finding reputable contractors. Unfortunately, this vulnerable time can attract unscrupulous roofers who waive deductibles. Understanding the laws designed to protect you is essential for making informed decisions about your home repairs. It’s crucial to consider Oklahoma Roofers Who Waive Deductibles and their implications for your insurance claims.

The Deductible Waiver Law in Oklahoma

When searching for Oklahoma Roofers Who Waive Deductibles, be vigilant and ensure you choose a reputable service provider who adheres to the law.

In Oklahoma, it’s illegal for roofing companies to offer to waive or cover a customer’s insurance deductible. House Bill 1940, which went into effect on November 1, 2022, strengthened existing protections against such practices that often lead to insurance fraud.

What House Bill 1940 Prohibits:

• Advertising or promising to pay all or part of a homeowner’s insurance deductible
• Billing insurance companies for the full cost of a project when intending to waive the deductible
• Inflating bills to effectively cover the homeowner’s deductible obligation
• Providing any rebate or compensation to offset deductible payments

Why These Laws Matter

When contractors offer to “waive” your deductible, they typically employ one of several fraudulent strategies:

1. Inflated Billing: They submit inflated claims to your insurance company
2. Ghost Damage: They may add damage that doesn’t exist to increase the claim amount
3. Substandard Work: They cut corners on materials or labor to make up the difference
4. Insurance Fraud: Both you and the contractor could face legal consequences for insurance fraud

Storm Chaser Warning Signs

Oklahoma experiences frequent severe weather events that attract what industry experts call “storm chasers” – out-of-town contractors who follow severe weather patterns to solicit business. While not all traveling contractors are dishonest, many deductible waiver schemes originate with these temporary operations.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Contractors who approach you unsolicited after a storm
• Offers that seem “too good to be true” (like waived deductibles)
• Pressure to sign contracts or make decisions immediately
• Requests for large upfront payments
• Limited or suspicious contact information (no physical address, etc.)
• No proof of proper licensing or insurance

Protecting Yourself from Roofing Fraud

Research Before You Hire

• Verify Oklahoma Registration: All roofing contractors in Oklahoma must register with the Construction Industries Board (CIB)
• Check Reviews: Look up the company on the Better Business Bureau, Google Reviews, and other platforms
• Ask for References: Request and contact references from previous customers in your area
• Verify Insurance: Ask for certificates of liability and workers’ compensation insurance

During the Estimation Process

• Get Multiple Written Estimates: Compare quotes from at least three contractors
• Understand Your Insurance Policy: Know your deductible amount and coverage limits
• Read the Fine Print: Never sign contracts with blank spaces or vague language
• Be Wary of Assignment of Benefits (AOB): These agreements sign over your insurance rights to the contractor

Working with Insurance

• Report Claims Promptly: Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after damage occurs
• Attend Inspections: Be present when both insurance adjusters and contractors inspect your property
• Review Scope of Work: Compare your insurance company’s scope of work with contractor estimates
• Understand Replacement Cost Value (RCV) vs. Actual Cash Value (ACV): Know how your policy handles depreciation

Wind and Hail Deductibles

Many Oklahoma homeowners are surprised to learn they have separate wind and hail deductibles that differ from their standard homeowners insurance deductibles. These specialized deductibles are common in states with high storm risk.

Types of Deductibles to Know:

• Standard Deductible: A fixed dollar amount (like $1,000 or $2,500)
• Percentage Deductible: Calculated as a percentage of your home’s insured value (typically 1-5%)
• Wind/Hail Deductible: A separate, often higher deductible specific to wind and hail damage

For example, if your home is insured for $300,000 and you have a 2% wind/hail deductible, you would be responsible for $6,000 out of pocket before insurance covers the remaining costs.

Reporting Suspected Fraud

If you believe a contractor is engaging in deductible waiver schemes or other fraudulent practices:

• Contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Anti-Fraud Unit at (405) 521-6614
• Report to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) at 1-800-TEL-NICB or through their website
• File a complaint with the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division
• Notify your insurance company of the suspected fraud

Finding Legitimate Help

• The Oklahoma Roofing Contractors Association can provide referrals to reputable contractors
• Your insurance company may have a list of preferred contractors
• Consider contractors who have been established in Oklahoma for several years with verifiable local references

By understanding the laws regarding insurance deductibles and recognizing the warning signs of potential fraud, Oklahoma homeowners can better protect themselves when seeking repairs after storm damage. Remember that legitimate contractors will work within the law and never offer to waive or pay your deductible.

The Storm After the Storm: A Homeowner’s Tale of Roofing Fraud

Part 1: The Promise

Sarah Thompson stood in her driveway, surveying the damage to her roof. The previous night’s hailstorm had been brutal, leaving pockmarks across her shingles and depositing small piles of granules in her gutters. It was the third major storm to hit her Oklahoma City neighborhood this season.

As she took photos for her insurance claim, a white pickup truck with magnetic door signs reading “Storm Solutions Roofing” pulled up to her curb. A clean-cut young man in a polo shirt approached with a clipboard and a smile.

“Looks like you got hit pretty hard,” he said, extending his hand. “I’m Jake. We’re helping folks in the neighborhood get their roofs fixed up after the storm. I can take a look if you’d like?”

Sarah hesitated. She’d been planning to call her usual handyman, but he was likely swamped with work after the storm.

“It won’t cost you a thing,” Jake assured her. “And the best part? If your insurance approves the claim, we can take care of your deductible for you. You won’t have to pay a dime out of pocket.”

The offer was tempting. Sarah’s insurance deductible was $4,500—2% of her home’s insured value. It was money she didn’t have readily available.

“How does that work exactly?” she asked.

“Don’t worry about the details,” Jake said with a wink. “Let’s just say we know how to work the system. We’ll make sure your insurance covers everything.”

Part 2: The Warning Sign

That evening, Sarah called her neighbor Tom, who had worked in construction for decades.

“He offered to waive my deductible,” Sarah explained. “Said it wouldn’t cost me anything.”

There was a long pause on the line.

“Sarah, that’s illegal in Oklahoma,” Tom said firmly. “House Bill 1940 made it explicitly clear that contractors can’t pay or waive your deductible. If someone’s offering that, they’re breaking the law—and they’re likely planning to commit insurance fraud.”

“But how would they even make money if they’re covering my deductible?” Sarah asked.

“They’re not actually covering it,” Tom explained. “They’re inflating the claim to your insurance company, cutting corners on materials, or both. Either way, it’s fraud, and you could be implicated too.”

Part 3: The Investigation

The next day, Sarah decided to do some research before proceeding further. She called her insurance agent, Maya, who confirmed what Tom had said.

“Let me explain how your policy works,” Maya said. “You have what’s called Replacement Cost Value coverage, or RCV. That means we pay for a brand new roof minus your deductible.”

“So if a new roof costs $15,000 and my deductible is $4,500…” Sarah began.

“We would pay $10,500, and you’d be responsible for the $4,500 deductible,” Maya finished. “If a contractor says they’ll ‘handle’ your deductible, they’re planning to either bill us for more than the actual cost or do inferior work.”

Maya went on to explain how some homeowners had it even tougher with Actual Cash Value (ACV) policies.

“With ACV, we also subtract depreciation. If your 10-year-old roof had 30-year shingles, we’d deduct about a third of the value for depreciation. So on that same $15,000 roof, we’d subtract both your $4,500 deductible AND $5,000 for depreciation, leaving you with just $5,500.”

“I had no idea,” Sarah admitted.

“The deductible issue has gotten worse over time,” Maya added. “Years ago, most deductibles were just $500 flat. Some contractors would absorb that small cost to get the job. But now with percentage-based deductibles of 1-2% of home value, we’re talking thousands of dollars. No legitimate business can afford to ‘eat’ that cost.”

Part 4: The Right Approach

Armed with new knowledge, Sarah contacted three established roofing companies with strong Better Business Bureau ratings and at least ten years of local business history. None of them mentioned waiving her deductible.

The estimates varied slightly, but all were around $15,000 for a complete roof replacement. Each contractor provided proof of insurance, local references, and detailed material specifications.

She selected Oklahoma Roofing Specialists, a company that had been serving the area for over 15 years. Their representative, Mark, was transparent from the start.

“Yes, you’ll need to pay your deductible—that’s your legal obligation,” he explained. “But we can work with your insurance company to make sure every legitimate damage item is covered. We’ll also offer a payment plan for your deductible if that helps.”

Part 5: The Aftermath

A month later, Sarah was watching from her window as the roofing crew finished installing her new architectural shingles. The work had taken three days, with Mark inspecting the progress each evening.

Her phone rang—it was her neighbor Diane from across the street.

“Sarah, I just signed with Storm Solutions Roofing! They’re going to replace my roof for free—they said they’d cover my deductible. Isn’t that great?”

Sarah took a deep breath. “Diane, we need to talk. That offer isn’t just too good to be true—it’s actually illegal.”

As Sarah explained everything she had learned about deductibles, insurance policies, and roofing fraud, she could hear the growing concern in Diane’s voice.

“But I already signed…” Diane said.

“Call your insurance company immediately,” Sarah advised. “And you might want to speak with an attorney about canceling that contract. What they’re proposing is insurance fraud, and you could be held liable too.”

After hanging up, Sarah looked back at her new roof. It had cost her $4,500 out of pocket—money she had to pull from her emergency fund—but she had peace of mind knowing the work was done properly, legally, and with a real warranty she could count on.

The Lessons Learned

Sarah’s experience taught her several valuable lessons that all Oklahoma homeowners should remember:

1. If a contractor offers to waive or pay your deductible, they’re proposing something illegal under Oklahoma law.
2. Understand your insurance policy: RCV covers replacement cost minus your deductible, while ACV also subtracts depreciation.
3. Percentage-based deductibles (often 1-2% of home value) mean higher out-of-pocket costs than the flat $500 deductibles of years past.
4. Any company that immediately discusses how to avoid paying your deductible is likely planning to commit insurance fraud—with you as an accomplice.
5. Always get multiple estimates from established local companies with verifiable references and good standing with the Better Business Bureau.
6. The cheapest option often comes with hidden costs—especially when severe Oklahoma weather inevitably tests your roof again.