Severe convective storms have led to significant financial losses for U.S. insurers, with estimated claims reaching $46 billion through September 2025. This marks the third consecutive year that storm-related insurance claims have exceeded $40 billion. The primary causes of these losses include tornadoes, hail, straight-line winds, and heavy thunderstorms. A major factor in the scale of damage is the vulnerability of residential roofs.
According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), roof-related damage accounts for approximately 70 to 90 percent of total insured residential catastrophic losses. Poor maintenance often increases this risk, prompting insurance industry leaders to advocate for wider adoption of FORTIFIED roof standards.
These FORTIFIED standards, developed by IBHS, focus on construction methods such as sealing roof decks and using stronger nails to anchor roofs to wall framing. While implementation remains voluntary, Louisiana has taken steps to encourage adoption by expanding its grant program in 2023. This initiative offers homeowners grants to retrofit their homes according to FORTIFIED guidelines and has contributed significantly to the increase in FORTIFIED roofs in the state.
“FORTIFIED roofs are the long-term solution for affordable insurance in South Louisiana,” said state insurance commissioner Tim Temple. He added that his office aims to introduce larger and more standardized insurance discounts for homeowners who adopt these standards.
Alabama was an early adopter of incentives for FORTIFIED roofs, distributing over $86 million in grants since 2016 through a program funded by the insurance industry. Homeowners who complete retrofits can receive premium discounts between 25 and 55 percent.
A report from the Alabama Department of Insurance and the University of Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research highlighted that homes built or retrofitted with FORTIFIED methods suffered less damage during Hurricane Sally compared to other homes.
“The Center’s Hurricane Sally report doesn’t just quantify the effectiveness of the FORTIFIED program, it clearly demonstrates that homes can be built to survive storms, making them eminently more insurable,” said IBHS CEO Roy Wright. “This report should be a clarion call to communities across the country, urging them to implement Alabama’s multipronged approach to promoting disaster mitigation.”
Other states have followed suit with similar programs supported by insurers and associated premium reductions. Some states have maintained available discounts even after suspending direct grant funding due to budget constraints. Additional states offer comprehensive discounts for properties meeting FORTIFIED criteria as severe weather events continue.
Despite interest from homeowners—75 percent express willingness to invest in weather-resistant features—a recent Nationwide survey found only 18 percent have actually reinforced or replaced their roofs with such materials. Grants help reduce costs for upgrades; some retrofits may be relatively affordable depending on home size.
Mark Berven, president and COO of Nationwide Property & Casualty, stated: “Our industry needs to remind homeowners they have control in the face of severe weather events,” adding that investing in resilience allows homeowners “to take an active role in protecting their homes, their valuables and their memories – giving them the peace of mind they’re looking for.”
