Lowering Your Homeowner's Insurance Up To 50%

The average yearly wind/hail loss involving roof damage for the insurance industry is $1.6 billion according to Ron Bacon, loss and mitigation administrator for State Farm Insurance. In 1996, Underwriters Laboratories developed test standards UL 2218 to grade the impact resistance of roofing materials. The test uses different size steel balls dropped from different heights to vary the impact speeds. The highest rating given under UL 2218 is known as Class 4 impact resistance. A class 4 product also correlates to the highest deductions given by insurance companies.

Products with the highest impact-resistance (class 4) are, polymer-modified bituminous shingles, slate, concrete tile, and stone coated steel. Polymer-modified bituminous shingles (SBS rubber modified asphalt) look like your standard asphalt fiberglass shingles. They also have the lowest material and labor cost. Not all insurance companies give them a discount even though they pass the standard UL 2218 class 4 rating. USAA no longer gives a discount for rubber modified asphalt shingles. State Farm, American Family, and Farmers give varying discounts.

Slate tends to be long-lasting (up to 100 years) but also the most expensive material, do to the weight, availability and intricacy of installation. Another point to consider: slate is very heavy. Some roof structures are unable to support this type of roof covering which could require and engineering report.\

Tile is popular in some areas, but its performance in hailstorms varies by type. Concrete tiles are more durable and can last more than 20 years, look for the UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistances, while clay tiles are brittle and can be easily chipped or broken. And another thing: like slate, tile is heavy. If you are replacing another type of roof with tile, you will need to verify that the structure can support the weight. Material and labor cost can be significantly more that your standard asphalt shingle.
Stone Coated Steel goes unnoticed in most neighborhoods because it emulates Spanish tile, concrete tile, traditional asphalt shingles, and even natural cedar shakes. Decra being the original manufacture is synonymous with stone coated steel. Stone coated steel is the prominent leader for its hail resistance. Decra is rated UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance and comes with a 50yr warranty, “a life time roof system”. Stone coated steel has withstood some of the worst hailstorms to sweep the country. Major hail damage hit Dallas Texas in 2003 said Ron Bacon of State Farm Insurance. Over 500 policy holders had stone coated steel roof systems in the area; none were damaged, thus avoiding a $2 million dollar loss. Stone coated steel known as the “ultimate roof system” for its ability to handle all the elements; hail, wind, fire, freeze/thaw and even earthquakes. Stone coated steel is known in the coastal areas for its ability to handle hurricane force winds. Stone coated steel has documented saves in California for withstanding wild fires that raced through residential areas. It’s loved in the hail zones for the ability to take a punch and still look great.

Stone coated steel also offer environmental and life-cycle cost advantages too. Being made from up to 25% recycled automobile steel and being recyclable material makes it very environmentally friendly. As a life time product the re-roof cycle is broken there by decreasing its cost over time.

Insurance companies reward customers with some of the largest premium discounts, being on average 30%. Though by raising the deductible for hail and wind you can get discounts up to 50%. Stone coated steel cost is comparable with high end tile but does not require the added expense of beefed up trusses due to its low weight, so the overall cost can be lower.

Now when looking for that new roof system, I hope you will consider material that is rated UL 2218 class 4 impact resistances for your new roof. I know the insurance companies are trying to make it easier by offering discounts on your premiums, so what are you waiting for.

If you are looking for a roofing contractor in the Colorado Springs area, please call us today at 719-487-9000 or complete our online request form.