Published · Reviewed · M&T Adjusters
This article provides general educational information. It does not interpret any policy, provide legal or safety advice, or guarantee coverage, payment, or results. The applicable policy, endorsements, facts of the loss, and insurer process control each claim. For health, fire, electrical, structural, or contamination hazards, follow public-authority and qualified-professional instructions.
Start with the percentage and its basis
To check a percentage hurricane deductible, identify the applicable insured dwelling amount, the deductible percentage and the policy documents in effect for the loss. Ask the insurer to show the calculation in dollars. Do not assume that the percentage is applied to your contractor’s repair estimate.
Florida DFS explains in its Hurricane Deductible Guide, linked below, that percentage hurricane deductibles typically use the dwelling insurance amount at the time of loss. The guide also flags inflation-guard provisions that can change the relevant amount. This article focuses on checking those inputs; it does not decide whether the hurricane deductible applies to your particular loss.
1. Build a three-document reference
Place the declarations page, the relevant deductible or inflation endorsement and the insurer’s calculation together. Keep each complete original privately. On a separate note, record the document date, page reference and figure you want explained. This makes it easier to ask about one specific number without altering the policy itself.
Use the policy applicable to the reported loss, rather than automatically using the newest renewal. If you only have a summary or an online account screenshot, ask the insurer or agent for the complete applicable documents. Our related policy-period guide explains how to organize versions.
2. Check the arithmetic without treating it as a payment estimate
Fictional arithmetic example: an applicable dwelling amount of $350,000 multiplied by 2 percent gives $7,000. Multiplying a $20,000 repair estimate by 2 percent gives $400, but that uses a different basis. The example shows why the input matters; neither figure establishes coverage or the amount payable on a real claim.
Write your check as a sentence: “The calculation uses this dwelling amount from this document, multiplied by this percentage.” Keep market value, mortgage balance, repair costs and the insured amount separately labeled. If the insurer uses a figure you cannot locate, request its source instead of replacing it with a familiar number.
3. Ask about an amount that changed
A deductible shown on an earlier document may differ from a later calculation. Compare the dates and ask whether an endorsement or change in the dwelling amount explains the difference. Do not assume that a difference is an error, and do not silently substitute the later number into your original records.
A concise written question is: “Please identify the dwelling amount and deductible percentage used for this loss, their effective date, and any endorsement that changed the calculation.” If inflation protection is involved, ask how the adjustment was applied as of the loss date. Save the explanation beside the original calculation.
4. Keep prior-storm accounting as a separate question
If another hurricane loss occurred in the same calendar year, tell the insurer and request its written accounting of any prior loss credit and remaining deductible. Do not simply subtract an earlier repair bill yourself. Our separate-storm guide covers the event records needed for that discussion.
The full DFS guide explains calendar-year rules and circumstances affecting subsequent losses. A check of percentage arithmetic alone does not resolve those issues. Ask which provisions apply to your policy and keep that answer separate from the basic multiplication.
5. Send a focused clarification request
Attach only the relevant documents through the insurer’s designated private channel, while retaining the complete originals. Identify the calculation you are questioning and ask for the source of each input. Keep a dated copy of your question and the response. Do not post policy pages or financial records in a public comment.
If the arithmetic is correct but you disagree with the repair scope, treat that as a separate question. If the percentage or dwelling amount is unclear, resolve that input first. Documentation can make the discussion more precise; it does not extend a deadline, establish a right to payment or guarantee a result.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers, without promises.
Is 2 percent always calculated from repair costs?+
No. Identify the basis specified by the applicable policy and ask the insurer to show its calculation. Do not substitute the contractor’s total.
Can I use today’s renewal page?+
Use the documents applicable to the loss. A later renewal may contain different amounts or terms.
Does this check tell me what the insurer owes?+
No. It checks one calculation. Coverage, loss valuation, other policy terms and any prior-storm accounting require separate review.
Official sources
Sources used for this guide.
- Florida DFS — Hurricane Deductible Guide (pages 3 and 8)
- Related: Policy periods and endorsements
- Related: Separate storm records
Last editorial review: . External pages may change.
