Does Your Wichita County, TX Homeowners Insurance Cover Hail Damage to Your Roof?
The FEMA National Risk Index rates hail risk in Wichita County as Relatively High, higher than 95.2% of U.S. counties. Tornado risk is also Relatively High, higher than 92.8% of U.S. counties, so the roof over your head is the part of your house most likely to take the first hit. Here is what to check now, while nobody is arguing with you about it.
Wichita County Risk Profile
Overall risk: Relatively Moderate, higher than 81.9% of U.S. counties
| Hazard | Rating | Score (percentile) |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate | 92.6 |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | 80.8 |
| Tornado | Relatively High | 92.8 |
| Hail | Relatively High | 95.2 |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | 68 |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | 44.2 |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index. Scores are percentile ranks among all U.S. counties: a score of 90 means higher risk than 90% of counties. Ratings are for the county as a whole.
Wichita County at a Glance
- County seat
- Wichita Falls
- Largest towns
- Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Iowa Park, Electra, Pleasant Valley
- Occupied homes
- 48,604
- Flood insurance (NFIP) policies in force
- 602
- FEMA disaster declarations
- 22 (most recent December 10, 2021)Counts fire, flood, hurricane, severe ice storm, severe storm and tornado declarations
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey), FEMA NFIP policy data, FEMA disaster declarations.
Is wildfire a real risk for my house in Wichita County, TX?
Yes, but it ranks behind hail and tornado. FEMA’s National Risk Index rates Wichita County wildfire risk as Relatively Moderate, higher than 92.6% of U.S. counties. Fire damage is a covered peril under a standard homeowners policy, so the common fight is over how much the company owes, not whether it pays.
What a hailstorm night looks like for a Wichita County home
The storm. A line of thunderstorms moves across Wichita Falls, Burkburnett or Iowa Park after dark. Hail hammers the roof for several minutes, and you hear it more than you see it.
The morning after. From the driveway the shingles may look fine. Up close, you may find dented vents, cracked or bruised shingles, and granules washed into the gutters. Some leaks do not show up until the next rain.
The call. You report it, an adjuster for the insurance company visits, and a written estimate arrives. That estimate is where most hail disputes begin.
What homeowners insurance pays for after hail or tornado wind in Wichita County, and what it does not
What is covered. Hail, tornado and wind damage to the roof and structure are generally covered the same way fire is, with the key exception of how the deductible works. Many Texas policies set a separate wind and hail deductible, often a percentage of the home’s insured value rather than a flat dollar amount. Find it on your declarations page now, so a repair bill never surprises you.
What is not. Wear, age and deterioration are excluded. Rising water is excluded too. Flood needs its own flood policy, through NFIP or a private insurer. FEMA’s NFIP counts 602 flood policies in force in Wichita County, set against 48,604 homes counted by the U.S. Census, so most households here have no flood policy at all.
The fine print to look for. Some policies pay older roofs at depreciated value, or limit cosmetic damage to metal. Check for both.
Roof damage in Wichita County: proving hail damage versus wear and tear
The usual dispute. After a storm, the company often says the roof is simply old. Granule loss, curling and cracking can come from age or from hail, and the company has every reason to pick age.
What separates them. Hail leaves fresh impact marks: bruises that break the shingle mat, spatter marks on metal, dents in vents and gutters, often on the sides of the house facing the storm. Wear spreads evenly and builds over years.
- Photograph every slope of the roof, plus vents, gutters and fences, and save the date.
- Keep your roof’s installation or repair records, which show its age and condition.
- Write down your wind and hail deductible and whether the roof is paid at actual or depreciated value.
- After a storm, photograph all damage before you tarp or repair anything.
Dated photos from before the storm are some of the strongest evidence you can hold.
How a ClaimsMate public adjuster helps you with a disputed roof claim in Wichita County
If a claim ever happens, you do not have to argue age versus hail alone. A ClaimsMate public adjuster works for you, not the insurance company. Our Wichita Falls public adjusters can document the roof and the rest of the structural damage, review the policy for that claim, and price the covered repairs.
They also deal with the company’s adjuster for you, which helps when a claim is underpaid, disputed or denied. If you are wondering how that conversation goes, read how to deal with the insurance company adjuster, or learn what a public adjuster is.
Frequently Asked Questions
How risky is hail for Wichita County homeowners?
FEMA’s National Risk Index rates hail risk in Wichita County as Relatively High, higher than 95.2% of U.S. counties. It is the county’s top-ranked hazard among those this site covers, ahead of tornado and wildfire.
Does my Wichita County homeowners policy cover flood?
No. You need to understand that a standard homeowners policy excludes flood and requires separate flood insurance. FEMA’s NFIP shows 602 flood policies in force in Wichita County, so confirm whether you have one before the next storm.
How do I show the insurance company hail did the damage, not age?
Dated photos taken before the storm, roof repair records, and photos of fresh impact marks on shingles, vents and gutters afterward all help. Photograph everything before any repairs or a tarp go on.
What are the largest towns in Wichita County?
The largest towns listed for Wichita County are Wichita Falls (the county seat), Burkburnett, Iowa Park, Electra and Pleasant Valley. The county’s risk ratings from FEMA apply at the county level, not to any one town.
Final Word: Roof Damage Claims in Wichita County Come Down to Proof
Wichita County sits high for both hail and tornado risk, and 22 FEMA fire, flood, hurricane, severe ice storm, severe storm and tornado disaster declarations (most recent December 10, 2021, FEMA) show the area has been through serious weather before. When a roof claim is disputed, the homeowner with dated photos, repair records and a known deductible is in the strongest position.
Contact ClaimsMate for roof storm damage insurance claim issues. ClaimsMate’s expert and licensed public adjusters prepare your claim, negotiate with the insurance company, and help when a claim is underpaid or denied. Contact us for a no-cost consultation.
Sign up for a free consultation today from ClaimsMate to discover the best path forward for your hail damage insurance claim.
Past Disasters in Wichita County
Public Adjusters Serving Wichita County
Sources
Stephanie is a property insurance claim expert with over 20 years of experience working as an insurance adjuster, expert witness, appraiser and umpire. She is passionate about sharing her expertise, knowledge, tips and training to help both property owners and Public Adjusters in their pursuit of effectively managing claims and recovering the claim settlement they deserve after a loss.
