Arkansas Roof Insurance Rules Change Impact Homeowners

This bulletin allowed insurers to apply a mandatory separate wind/hail deductible and a mandatory roof schedule endorsement for roofs seven years or older, provided the insured receives proper notice and that notice is approved by the Department. This change has significant implications for homeowners in Central Arkansas, as it means that two policies on two similar houses can pay very different amounts for the same hailstorm. The difference usually comes down to the deductible structure, the settlement method, and the age of the roof.

According to a 2024 legislative summary, Arkansas legislators heard that the state had been the last in the country to permit split deductibles. Insurers paid more than $489 million in claims from the March 31, 2023, storm that struck Wynne, and homeowners were being surprised by out-of-pocket costs of $10,000 to $12,000 for a new roof even with insurance. This highlights the importance of understanding the terms of one's insurance policy and the potential financial impact of storm damage.

On July 6, 2026, the National Weather Service in North Little Rock reported wind gusts up to 60 mph across Central Arkansas, with several reports of wind damage in Lonoke County. Storms on August 26, 2026, produced hail reports in Lonoke County as well. These storms underscore the need for homeowners to be vigilant about potential damage to their roofs. J. Cole Roofing and Construction, an Austin, Arkansas-based company that also does business as J. Cole Construction, explains that hail can bruise or fracture asphalt shingles, knock protective granules loose, and dent metal flashing, vents, and gutters. A bruise may not be visible from the ground but can weaken the shingle mat and shorten the shingle’s service life.

Straight-line winds from severe thunderstorms can lift, crease, or tear shingles and break the adhesive seal strips that hold each course down. A shingle that has been lifted and resealed improperly can leak months later. On July 6, 2026, the National Weather Service reported wind gusts up to 60 mph across Central Arkansas, with several reports of wind damage in Lonoke County. Storms on August 26, 2026, produced hail reports in Lonoke County as well. Tornadoes can remove sections of roofing, decking, or entire roof structures, and flying debris can puncture roofing even on homes outside the direct path.

Heavy rain and long periods of summer heat do not usually cause a claim on their own, but they expose weaknesses. Poor attic ventilation traps heat that ages shingles from below, and failed flashing lets water into the roof assembly. Homeowners do not need to climb a ladder to spot many warning signs. From the ground and inside the home, J. Cole Roofing and Construction recommends watching for granules collecting in gutters or at downspout outlets, missing or visibly lifted shingles, dented gutters, downspouts, or vent caps, water stains on ceilings or upper walls, damp insulation or daylight visible in the attic, and shingles that appear curled, cupped, or uneven.

Some of the most consequential damage stays hidden. Compromised flashing around chimneys, vents, and wall transitions, softened or delaminated decking, and moisture trapped under the shingles often require a hands-on inspection to find. J. Cole Roofing and Construction provides on-site roof inspections in which a technician physically walks the roof and evaluates shingle condition, flashing, decking stability, and attic ventilation, then documents findings with photographs. The company does not rely only on satellite imagery or automated reports for storm assessments.

Most homeowners policies settle roof claims in one of three ways, and the policy’s declarations page and endorsements determine which one applies. Replacement Cost Value (RCV) coverage pays what it costs to replace the damaged roof with materials of like kind and quality, minus the deductible. Insurers commonly pay an RCV claim in two parts. The first payment reflects the roof’s depreciated value. The remainder, called recoverable depreciation, is typically released after the work is completed and documented.

Actual Cash Value (ACV) coverage pays the depreciated value of the roof, minus the deductible. Depreciation reflects the roof’s age and condition, so an older roof receives a smaller payment, and that depreciation is generally not recovered later. A roof payment schedule, permitted in Arkansas under Bulletin 17-2023 for roofs seven years or older, pays a percentage of the roof’s replacement cost based on the roof’s age and material. Each insurer files its own schedule, so the percentage is set by the policy rather than by a statewide table.

Homeowners should also review exclusions. Policies generally do not cover wear and tear, deterioration, or damage caused by neglected maintenance, and some exclude or limit cosmetic damage to metal roofing. Understanding wind and hail deductibles is crucial. A separate wind/hail deductible is often written as a percentage of the home’s dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. A 2 percent deductible on a home insured for $250,000 equals $5,000, which is the homeowner’s share of a covered wind or hail loss before the insurer pays anything.

That number matters before a claim is filed. If the cost to repair the damage is close to or below the deductible, a claim may produce little or no payment while still appearing in the home’s claim history.