Installing Impact-Resistant Shingles Could Bring You an Insurance Discount
Q: What is the impact-resistant shingles insurance discount?
A: Some insurance providers offer a discount for installing Class 4 impact-resistant shingles, which reduce the risk of hail and storm-related roof damage. These savings can add up to hundreds per year, especially in storm-prone areas like Omaha.
Homeowners who install impact-resistant (IR) shingles on their home may receive a discount on their insurance premiums. While this discount varies from provider to provider, and certainly isn’t guaranteed, it’s worth asking about for many homeowners. The Omaha roofing experts at Anchor Roofing have more information.
The Insurance Discount for Impact-Resistant Shingles
What homeowners may not know about impact-resistant shingles is that they can sometimes grant an insurance discount. While the exact amount will vary depending on the value of your home and your policy, it could equate to hundreds of dollars per year.
Why would insurance companies offer these discounts on homeowners insurance premiums? Simple: because homes protected by IR shingles are significantly less likely to be damaged by hail and other forms of storm damage.
Common discounts for upgrading to impact-resistant shingles range from around 5% to 30% of your annual premiums, which translates to $100 to $300 or more for some homeowners. However, the availability of discounts depends on your provider and many other factors.
What Are Impact-Resistant Shingles?
Impact-resistant shingles are roofing products that are specially engineered to withstand impacts from hailstones, debris, and other threats to roofing. The specifics of these shingles vary depending on the manufacturer: some may use different or proprietary material formulations, some may be reinforced, and others may use a combination of these or other methods.
The composition and design of impact-resistant shingles (also called IR shingles) make them more durable in the face of storm damage.
Understanding Class 4 Shingles
Among impact-resistant shingles, Class 4 is the highest possible rating. These shingles are especially favored in areas with a high frequency of severe storms, like here in Omaha. Class 4 shingles are designed to withstand hail up to 2 inches in diameter, and may survive even larger hail in some cases.
Q: What is a Class 4 impact rating?
A: Class 4 is the highest rating under the UL 2218 impact test, which simulates 2-inch steel ball drops to mimic hail.
Class 3 shingles are also impact resistant, but they are only rated up to 1.75-inch hail. The difference may seem small compared to Class 4 shingles, but some insurance companies may only give a discount for installing Class 4 shingles.
Do All Insurance Providers Offer Discounts?
Not all insurance providers will give a discount for installing impact-resistant shingles. Generally speaking, it will depend on your carrier.
Providers also have different requirements for receiving the discount. Some insurers may require proof of installation, such as photos or documentation from your roofer. Be sure to call your insurance provider to confirm your eligibility before completing installation.
Beyond Insurance Discounts: The Benefits of Impact-Resistant Shingles
Even if you can’t receive a discount for installing IR shingles, it’s still worth considering for most homeowners. Benefits of impact-resistant shingles include:
- Longer roof lifespan
- Fewer repairs from hail and wind damage
- Increase in home resale value
- Peace of mind during storm seasons in Omaha
Should You Upgrade After a Storm?
If your roof was damaged by a major storm, this is often the best time to upgrade your roof to impact-resistant shingles. This is because the roof replacement may be covered by insurance—and even if they won’t cover the full upgrade, you may only need to pay the difference between your existing shingles and the upgraded materials.
Q: Is it worth switching to impact-resistant shingles after roof damage?
A: Yes—especially in hail-prone areas like Omaha. If your roof needs replacing, Class 4 shingles can help prevent future damage and lower insurance premiums.
Omaha’s Hail Risk and Storm Trends
Our team at Anchor Roofing frequently recommends impact-resistant shingles to Omaha homeowners, and we did so even before learning about the potential insurance benefits. This is because we live in one of the most hail- and storm-prone areas in the country.
The Omaha area saw numerous reports of hail in 2024, and in terms of statewide hail events, Nebraska ranks third in the country. Protecting your home from hail is essential, and installing IR shingles is one of the most cost-effective ways to do so.
Want to better understand how hail impacts your roof and what to look for after a storm? Check out our hail damage guide for Nebraska homeowners for expert tips and photos from local inspections.
Local Experts in Impact-Resistant Shingles
At Anchor Roofing, our team has strong expertise in installing impact-resistant shingles throughout Omaha, and we frequently work with products from both Owens Corning and CertainTeed, giving our customers a variety of options to choose from.
If you’re looking to maximize protection from your home and potentially save on insurance, Anchor Roofing can help. Contact us today for a quote!