phrase
wind/hail deductible
In plain English
A separate, often percentage-based deductible that applies only to wind or hail damage, not other claims.
Standard in the Midwest — 1%, 2%, or 5% of dwelling value, instead of the flat $1K-$2.5K you're used to. On a $500K home with 2% wind/hail, that's $10K out of pocket per hailstorm.
What it covers
Nothing — it's a deductible structure, not a coverage. Specifies a separate (often higher) deductible amount for wind and hail losses.
What it does not cover
It does NOT apply to fire, water damage, theft, or other non-wind perils. Those still use the standard policy deductible.
Where it trips people up
Percentage deductibles surprise everyone the first time. A 2% deductible isn't 2% of the loss — it's 2% of the dwelling limit, applied to every wind/hail claim.
The technical version
A separate deductible provision in property insurance applying specifically to losses caused by wind or hail, often calculated as a percentage of the dwelling or building limit.