If you've opened your home insurance renewal letter recently and done a double-take at your deductible, you're not imagining things. Homeowners across Ohio, and really across the entire country, are seeing their wind, hail, and storm deductibles climb significantly. Some are seeing them double. And most people have no idea why it's happening or what they can do about it. At Ley Insurance, we've been fielding a lot of questions about this lately, so we wanted to break it down clearly and honestly. First, What Is a Deductible — Really? Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. So if a windstorm damages your roof and the repair costs $12,000, and your deductible is $2,000, your insurance covers $10,000 and you cover the first $2,000. Simple enough. But here's where it gets complicated. The Shift From Flat Deductibles to Percentage Deductibles Traditionally, most Ohio homeowners had a flat dollar deductible — something like $1,000 or $2,500. That's the number most people still think of when they picture a deductible. Over the last several years, carriers have quietly shifted many policies to percentage-based deductibles for wind and hail claims specifically. Instead of a flat $1,000, your deductible might now be 1%, 2%, or even 5% of your home's insured value. Here's why that matters: A 2% deductible on a home insured for $300,000 means you owe $6,000 out of pocket before your insurance pays a single dollar on a wind or hail claim. That's a big number. And many homeowners don't realize that's their situation until they try to file a claim after a storm. Why Are Ohio Carriers Doing This? Insurance carriers don't raise deductibles to be difficult — they do it because the math on storm claims has changed dramatically. A few factors driving this across Ohio: Severe weather frequency has increased. Northwest Ohio has seen more high-wind events, hail storms, and heavy rain events over the past five years. More storms mean more claims. Reinsurance costs have spiked. Carriers purchase their own insurance (called reinsurance) to protect against large losses. When reinsurers raise their rates — which they have significantly — those costs get passed down. Roofing and labor costs skyrocketed post-pandemic. A roof that cost $8,000 to replace in 2019 might cost $14,000 or more today. Higher repair costs mean bigger claim payouts. Some carriers are pulling back from Ohio entirely. When carriers leave a market, the ones who stay can adjust their terms, including deductibles, because there's less competition. How to Tell What Your Deductible Actually Is Don't assume .... pull out your declarations page (the summary page at the front of your policy) and look specifically for a line that says "wind deductible," "hail deductible," or "hurricane/named storm deductible." It may be listed separately from your standard all-peril deductible. If you see a percentage listed instead of a dollar amount, multiply that percentage by your home's insured value to find out what you'd actually owe before coverage kicks in. What Can You Do About It? The good news: you're not stuck. Here are your real options as an Ohio homeowner. Shop your policy. As an independent agency, we can compare your coverage across multiple carriers — some of whom may still offer more favorable deductible structures, especially if your claims history is clean. Adjust your coverage strategically. In some cases, it makes sense to accept a higher deductible in exchange for a lower premium, as long as you keep enough savings on hand to cover that deductible if needed. Ask about endorsements. Some carriers offer endorsements that buy down a percentage deductible back to a flat amount. It's worth asking. Consider an umbrella policy. If you're increasing your deductibles to save money on premiums, an umbrella policy can help fill larger liability gaps. The Bottom Line Deductible increases are frustrating — and they're real. But they don't have to mean you're stuck paying more for less. The right independent agent will review your current policy, explain exactly what you're looking at, and find alternatives if better ones exist.  We've been doing exactly that for Lima and Northwest Ohio homeowners since 1987. If your renewal came in and something doesn't look right, let's talk.

As a property and casualty insurance agent here in Ohio, I often hear concerns when homeowners learn their policy includes Actual Cash Value (ACV) coverage on their roof instead of full replacement cost. At first glance, it can feel like a step back—but in reality, ACV coverage reflects a thoughtful shift in how insurance works today and encourages stronger, more proactive homeownership. Let’s take a closer look at why many insurance companies are moving toward ACV roof coverage—and why that can actually benefit you as a homeowner.  What Is Actual Cash Value (ACV)? Actual Cash Value simply means that in the event of a covered loss, your insurance company will pay the value of your roof based on its age and condition at the time of damage. In other words, depreciation is factored in. For example, if your roof is 15 years old, the payout reflects that it has already lived part of its useful life—just like a car or any other major asset. Why Insurance Companies Are Moving Toward ACV on Roofs Over the past decade, the insurance industry has seen a sharp increase in roof-related claims. Factors like severe weather, rising material costs, and, unfortunately, questionable contractor practices have all contributed to higher claim payouts. Here are a few key reasons for the shift: 1. Promoting Fairness Across Policyholders ACV ensures that claim payments more accurately reflect the true value of what was lost. This helps keep premiums more stable across the board, so homeowners aren’t subsidizing full roof replacements for older roofs that were already near the end of their lifespan. 2. Controlling Rising Insurance Costs Roof claims are one of the most expensive types of homeowner claims. By moving to ACV, insurance companies can better manage risk and keep policies affordable and available—especially in areas prone to wind and hail. 3. Encouraging Responsible Homeownership ACV coverage motivates homeowners to maintain and care for their roofs over time, rather than relying on insurance as a maintenance plan. Insurance is designed for sudden and accidental damage—not wear and tear. The Homeowner Advantage: Maintenance Matters One of the most positive aspects of ACV coverage is that it puts control back in your hands. Here’s how homeowners can stay ahead: Regular Inspections Have your roof inspected periodically, especially after major storms. Catching small issues early can prevent larger, more expensive problems later. Timely Repairs Fix missing shingles, leaks, or flashing issues promptly. Delaying repairs can shorten your roof’s lifespan and lead to more depreciation. Know Your Roof’s Age Understanding how old your roof is helps you plan ahead. If your roof is nearing the end of its life, budgeting for replacement can prevent surprises. Work with Reputable Contractors Choose licensed and trustworthy professionals for any roofing work. Quality craftsmanship extends the life of your roof and protects your investment. A Balanced Approach to Coverage ACV roof coverage isn’t about reducing protection—it’s about aligning coverage with real-world conditions. For newer roofs, some policies may still offer replacement cost options. For older roofs, ACV provides a fair, sustainable way to handle claims while keeping premiums manageable. As your agent, my role is to help you understand your coverage and make the best decisions for your home and budget. If you have questions about your policy or want to explore your options, I’m always here to help. Final Thoughts Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home—and like any major component, it requires ongoing care. ACV coverage encourages homeowners to stay engaged in maintaining their property, which ultimately leads to fewer surprises and better long-term outcomes. When you view insurance as a partnership rather than a safety net for every scenario, ACV roof coverage starts to make a lot of sense. If you’d like a personalized review of your homeowners policy or have questions about your roof coverage, feel free to reach out. Let’s make sure you’re protected—and prepared—for whatever comes next.