Hail and Choosing The Right Roof To Cut Insurance Costs

Hails season is upon us, or nearly so! It might seem like roofs last forever (or almost), but when you live in Colorado where hail happens a lot, that’s not necessarily the case. Click through to find out which roofing materials best stand up to hail...

The average roof lasts around 20 years, but frequent hail storms can shorten the average life of a roof to 7-10 years. 

Insurance companies have noticed, and responded by raising premiums and reducing claim payments to account for the age and condition of your roof at the time of the storm.

When you re-roof, choosing a product that can stand up to hail can lower your premiums and help you avoid having to file a claim.

For an asphalt shingle roof, look for products that meet both ASTM D 7158 Class G or H (or ASTM D3161 Class F) and UL 2218 Class 4 to protect your home from hail.

For metal roofs, pick a roof with UL2218 Class 3 and 4 impact resistance.

For tile roofs, look for the FM 4473 test standard for impact resistance.

Not sure if your area is considered high risk? The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety has a tool on its website where you can enter your zip code and it will tell you about the risks that your home could face. 

Modified by: Theresa Tscheschke Gunal ; Used courtesy of Dona Dezube, Home Actions, LLC