When Hurricane Sally ravaged coastal Alabama in 2020, the aftermath saw many homes with roofs torn off or severely damaged by the high winds. However, Matt Fetner's home in Orange Beach stood out amidst the destruction. "Every house around had blue tarps on it, except for mine," Fetner remarked. His roof, upgraded a few years earlier with materials designed to withstand hurricane-force winds, met the Fortified standard, which uses specialized nails, stronger shingles, reinforced edges, and a sealed roof deck.
The Birth of Fortified Roofs in Alabama
Fetner’s resilient roof was funded by the state of Alabama, which has invested millions in recent years to help thousands of residents fortify their homes. This initiative aims to prevent a home insurance crisis, as property insurers have increasingly withdrawn from high-risk areas or raised premiums due to the growing frequency and severity of natural disasters fueled by climate change.
The Fortified Roof Strategy
The concept behind the Fortified Roof Program is straightforward: Homes with stronger, more resilient roofs pay less for insurance premiums. Over time, as more homes adopt these standards, insurance companies anticipate fewer claims, thereby making Alabama a more attractive market for insurers. Travis Taylor, the acting director of the Strengthen Alabama Homes program, explains that insurers initially avoided coastal areas due to high risks. "But now as people have gotten Fortified roofs, the insurance companies are hounding them," he said.
Expanding the Fortified Initiative
Inspired by Alabama's success, lawmakers in at least five other states have launched similar programs to fund Fortified roofs. While these initiatives are in their infancy, their leaders hope to replicate Alabama's achievements. Alabama’s grant program alone has assisted over 7,000 residents in upgrading their roofs, and many contractors have integrated the Fortified standard into their regular services. Of the 60,000 certified Fortified homes nationwide, 50,000 are in Alabama.
The Impact of Fortified Roofs
Fortified roofs are based on standards developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), a leading nonprofit in safety research. Some local governments have even adopted building codes incorporating these standards. Though data collection on insurance premiums is ongoing, the program's success is evident. Michael Newman, general counsel with IBHS, noted, "There is sufficient resilience now in Alabama that the insurance market is far healthier than the insurance market in neighboring states."
Since the program's inception in 2016, Alabama has disbursed over $70 million, covering roof projects for nearly 7,100 homes. Homeowners are eligible for up to $10,000 per project, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, with funds going directly to the contractors.
Beyond Grants: A Culture of Resilience
More than 40,000 homeowners have installed Fortified roofs without state funding, driven by updated building codes in Alabama’s coastal counties. Lars Powell, executive director of the Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research at the University of Alabama, emphasized the broader impact: "The Fortified construction movement will be remembered as a very important thing that allowed people to continue to live on the coast without being super-wealthy."
Powell's research indicates that Fortified homes not only sell for 7% more on average but also attract major insurers, offering discounts of 20% to 60% on wind coverage, depending on the upgrade level.
Alabama's Fortified Roof Program exemplifies a proactive approach to mitigating the effects of climate change and severe weather on homes and insurance markets. By investing in stronger, more resilient roofing standards, Alabama not only protects its residents but also creates a more attractive environment for insurers. As more states adopt similar programs, a nationwide movement towards fortified, resilient homes is set to grow, ensuring safety and savings for homeowners across the country.
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