Beware Roofers Who Offer to Pay Your Deductible
In Texas it's illegal — and it can cost you your claim, fines, and even jail.
Yes — in Texas it is illegal for a roofing contractor to pay, waive, rebate, or absorb your insurance deductible, or even to advertise that they will, under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 707 (House Bill 2102, 2019). A contractor who does it commits a misdemeanor, and a homeowner who knowingly goes along with it can be charged with insurance fraud — carrying fines, possible jail time, and a voided claim. If a roofer offers to "cover your deductible," walk away.
What the law actually says
In 2019, Texas passed House Bill 2102, now Chapter 707 of the Texas Insurance Code. It makes it illegal for a contractor to pay, rebate, waive, or absorb all or part of your property-insurance deductible — or to advertise or promise to do so. There are no loopholes: "rebates," "we'll credit your deductible," or "we'll just eat it" are all the same prohibited act.
The penalties — for the roofer AND for you
The contractor commits a misdemeanor under Texas law and can face fines, jail time, and the loss of their ability to do business.
You, the homeowner, can be exposed to insurance-fraud charges for knowingly going along with it — because the claim then misrepresents what you actually paid. Texas insurance fraud carries fines and possible jail time that climb with the dollar amount, and your insurer can deny the claim and cancel your policy.
Why it's illegal
Your deductible is the part of the claim you agreed to pay. When a roofer "covers" it, the price billed to your insurer no longer reflects what the job actually cost you — so the claim is inflated and misrepresented. That is fraud, it drives up premiums for everyone, and it is exactly what the law was written to stop. Your policy also requires you to genuinely pay your deductible.
How the scam is pitched — the warning signs
- "We'll pay (or waive) your deductible"
- "Free roof — no out-of-pocket cost to you"
- "We'll eat the deductible / make it disappear"
- An estimate quietly padded to hide the waived deductible
- High-pressure door-knockers right after a storm, often from out of town
If you hear any of these, that roofer is telling you they are willing to break the law — and drag you into it with them. Stay away from them at all costs.
How to protect yourself
- Expect to pay your deductible — it is normal, required, and a sign the roofer is honest
- Get a detailed written estimate and a written contract
- Verify the roofer is insured, local and established, with real references
- Never sign an "assignment of benefits" you do not understand
- Report deductible-waiver offers to the Texas Department of Insurance
See our guides on how to choose a roofing contractor and how to file a roof insurance claim, and how coverage works in does insurance cover roof hail damage in Texas.
How T.A.P. does it right
We will never offer to waive or "cover" your deductible, because we follow Texas law and protect you from fraud exposure. What we do instead: a free, honest, documented roof inspection, an on-site meeting with your adjuster, and a completed roof where you pay only your legitimate deductible — nothing more, and nothing shady. That is what a roofer you can trust looks like.
This is general information, not legal advice. Coverage and penalties depend on your policy and the specifics of your situation — consult your policy or an attorney, and report suspected insurance fraud to the Texas Department of Insurance.
Roofers and your deductible — frequently asked questions
Work with a roofer who plays it straight
No deductible games, no fraud, no risk to you — just an honest, documented roof done to code. Serving Dallas–Fort Worth & North Texas for over 25 years.