Should I Ask a Roofing Company to Pay My Deductible?

At Douglas Construction, we’ve talked to many homeowners who are in the process of vetting roofing companies after a storm. More often than not, we hear the same thing: “Another roofing company said they would pay my deductible.”

Unfortunately, this is a common tactic among storm-chasing roofers trying to take advantage of storm damage by offering what sounds like an easy deal. On the surface, it may seem like a win-win. The homeowner gets a “free” roof replacement without coming out of pocket. While the contractor eats the cost of the deductible, they still gets paid by the insurance company for a full roof replacement.

But here’s the truth behind this: having your deductible paid by your roofer is considered insurance fraud. It can lead to serious legal and financial consequences for both parties involved, the contractor and homeowner.

Of course, we’re not attorneys or insurance experts, but we know for a fact that this practice is illegal. In the state of Georgia, the homeowner is responsible for paying their insurance deductible as part of the claim process. If a contractor offers to cover or “waive” that payment, they’re falsifying the true cost of the job, which means both parties are considered participating in insurance fraud.

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Why a Roofing Contractor Should Never Pay Your Deductible

If a roofing company offers to “cover” your deductible, it’s a major red flag, and here’s why:

• They often cut corners to make up the difference. To make up for covering your deductible, some roofers might cut corners by using lower-quality materials, skipping essential installation or quality checks, or rushing the job. That means you could end up with a poor-quality roof that fails long before it should.
• It damages trust. A company willing to bend the rules for a quick sale most likely will not stand by their workmanship when it matters most. If an issue arises a few months after the job is finished, they may be unreachable, or politely let you know that the problem is now your responsibility.

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Why You Don’t Want Your Contractor Paying Your Deductible

Even though it might sound tempting, accepting a “free deductible” offer can cause serious problems for homeowners, including:

• Insurance policy termination. Your insurer could cancel your policy if they discover fraudulent billing practices.
• Legal consequences. Both the homeowner and contractor can face fines or even criminal charges if found guilty of participating in insurance fraud.
• Denial of responsibility. Because the contractor has already absorbed the deductible, they may be less motivated to assist if additional issues arise later, feeling that they’ve already done you a favor.

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Douglas Construction: Roofing with Integrity

In conclusion, never work with a roofing company that offers to pay your deductible. They are putting you at risk in more ways than one. At Douglas Construction, we take pride in doing things the right way. We are very serious about honesty, transparency, and respect for both homeowners and the law. We will never put you in a risky situation that could result in policy termination, fines, or any legal action.

When you work with our team, you can trust that your roof will be repaired or replaced correctly, using high-quality materials and ethical practices from start to finish. We believe integrity is just as important as craftsmanship — and we stand behind both.

If you’ve recently experienced storm damage and want an honest, professional roof inspection, contact Douglas Construction today. We’re here to help you navigate the insurance process the right way — and make sure your home is protected for years to come.