McKinney, located approximately 13 miles north of Plano, is seeing significant changes in how homeowners handle roof insurance claims following the severe hail outbreak in April 2026. Insurers across North Texas have shifted their underwriting standards, making it more difficult and expensive for residents to recover storm damage costs. The landscape for wind-and-hail coverage has tightened considerably since 2024.
The most immediate change is the rise in deductibles. Through 2026, a 2 percent wind-and-hail deductible has become the standard for most of North Texas, with some carriers in higher-risk zones increasing this to 3 percent. The flat 1 percent deductibles that were common a few years ago have largely disappeared. This percentage applies to the dwelling coverage amount, not the total claim value. For a home insured at $450,000, a 2 percent deductible requires the homeowner to pay the first $9,000 of damage before insurance contributes. Many roof claims fall below this threshold, effectively preventing payouts.
Coverage for older roofs has also shifted. Many carriers are now automatically changing policies for roofs older than 10 to 15 years from replacement cost to actual cash value. Replacement cost covers the full price of a new roof, while actual cash value subtracts depreciation based on age and wear. For a roof that is a decade old, this depreciation can be substantial. Combined with the higher deductible, the final check may cover only a fraction of the replacement cost. These changes typically occur silently during policy renewals, though Texas insurers are required to notify policyholders of coverage changes.
Another growing barrier is the inclusion of cosmetic damage exclusions in a growing number of Texas policies. If hail damages metal roofs, vents, or flashing without causing a leak or puncture, insurers may classify the damage as cosmetic and deny the claim entirely. This exclusion applies even if the dents reduce the home’s resale value or shorten the lifespan of the materials. Homeowners with metal roofs are advised to check their policies for this specific clause.
