Why a small claim can cost you money

Insurance is built for losses you can’t absorb, not for routine repairs. When you file, the insurer pays your damage minus the deductible once — but a claim typically bumps your premium 10–40% for the next several years. On a modest repair, those higher premiums can quietly add up to more than the check you received. The calculator makes that trade explicit: one-time payout on top, multi-year premium cost below, net result at the bottom.

Watch the percentage deductible

Roof claims are usually storm claims, and most policies carry a separate wind/hail deductible set as a percentage of your dwelling coverage — commonly 1–5%. That’s the number that surprises people: 2% of a $400,000 dwelling is an $8,000 deductible, so a $7,000 repair pays nothing. Switch the deductible toggle to “% of dwelling” to price your real out-of-pocket before you call.

Order of operations

First confirm the damage is from a covered cause; then estimate the ACV/RCV payout; then use this tool to decide whether filing is worth it.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth filing a roof insurance claim?

It’s worth filing when the payout (your repair cost minus the deductible) clearly beats the extra premiums you’ll pay over the years the surcharge lasts. For a full storm-damaged roof it usually is; for a small repair near your deductible it usually isn’t. The calculator shows your net number.

How much does one claim raise your premium?

A single claim commonly raises a homeowners premium by roughly 10–40%, and that surcharge typically lasts about 3–7 years before rolling off. The exact figure depends on your insurer, state, and claim history — adjust the two inputs to match your own renewal notice.

When should you NOT file a roof claim?

Skip it when the damage is at or below your deductible (you’d get nothing), or when the payout is small enough that higher premiums claw it back within a few years. Also weigh that any claim stays on your CLUE loss-history report for about seven years and can make coverage harder or pricier to renew.

What is a percentage (wind/hail) deductible?

Many policies apply a separate wind/hail deductible set as a percentage of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A), not a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 dwelling a 2% deductible is $8,000 — often more than the repair, which means no payout. Toggle the calculator to “% of dwelling” to see your real deductible.

Does filing a claim that gets denied still hurt me?

Yes. Even a denied or withdrawn claim is recorded on your CLUE report and can count against you at renewal, so it’s worth checking that your cause is covered — and that the numbers work — before you file.

Sources & methodology

Estimates compiled from the sources above and standard cost models — not professional, insurance, or legal advice, and may not reflect your policy or local prices. See our full methodology and disclaimer.