By Emily Wycpalek

Why Texas homes need a 21st-century upgrade—and how stronger building standards can change everything.

Let’s Be Honest: It’s Still 1998 on Most Roofs in Texas

Texas is no stranger to severe weather. From hurricane-force winds on the coast to destructive hailstorms in Central Texas, we’ve built a lifestyle around storm recovery—but not storm prevention. Despite all our weather experience, we’re still building homes and writing policies like it’s the late ‘90s.

That’s a problem.

Especially when:

Homeowners are facing record-high premiums
Deductibles often rival down payments
Coverage options are drying up in high-risk ZIP codes

It’s time for change. The kind that doesn’t just react—but prepares. The kind that rewards smart decisions, not just risk shifts.

What If Stronger Roofs Could Actually Lower Your Insurance Costs?

Spoiler alert: They can.

Stronger building materials and better installation standards—like FORTIFIED roofing systems—are proven to:

Reduce storm damage
Minimize water intrusion
Lower claims costs for carriers
And yes, offer real savings to homeowners

But here’s the catch: There’s no consistent reward system in Texas for making smarter choices.

Other states are already doing it. Texas? Still catching up.

What Is a FORTIFIED Roof, and Why Should You Care?

Developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), FORTIFIED is a building standard that goes beyond code to strengthen homes against severe weather. A FORTIFIED Roof includes:

Sealed roof decks to prevent leaks
Enhanced fasteners to keep shingles in place
Stronger edges to resist wind uplift

Why it matters:

✅ Up to 130 mph wind protection

✅ Can reduce storm-related insurance claims by over 30%

✅ Qualifies homeowners for better insurance terms (where supported)

Still not common in Texas. But it could be.

So Why Aren’t We Using These Standards Everywhere?

Honestly? Because there's no structure in place to encourage it.

According to Cracking the Insurance Code, high ratings alone don’t tell the full story. And the same applies here—Texas homeowners and builders aren’t skipping better roofs because they don’t care. They’re skipping them because:

There’s no state-funded incentive to offset the cost
Carriers don’t consistently offer discounts for resilient roofs
Most builders don’t offer upgrades unless asked
The insurance and construction industries rarely coordinate solutions

“It’s like everyone’s in the same house, but yelling from different rooms.”

What Could Actually Help Homeowners?

Here's what a smarter, safer, more affordable Texas could look like:

1. Discount Programs for Resilient Roofs

Carriers could offer meaningful discounts—not just marketing fluff—for homes with:

FORTIFIED certifications
Wind-resistant shingles
Upgraded roof-to-wall connections

2. State-Backed Grants for Roof Upgrades

Programs like Strengthen Alabama Homes provide up to $10,000 in grants for homeowners to upgrade their roofs. There’s no reason Texas can’t do the same.

3. Tiered Deductible Structures

Right now, deductibles don’t reflect the durability of your home. If you invest in a stronger roof, why not receive:

A lower deductible during storms
Better access to replacement cost policies
Rewards for maintaining your roof over time

4. A Real Marketplace for Risk Reduction

Imagine this:

Builders and roofers highlight storm-resilient options
Homebuyers see projected insurance savings at closing
Agents help homeowners understand and compare policies based on actual risk reduction

That’s a win for everyone. Including insurers.

What You Can Do Right Now

While policy-level change takes time, you’re not powerless. Here’s what we recommend:

🔨 Homeowners:

Ask your roofer about FORTIFIED or impact-resistant options
Contact your agent to ask if your home qualifies for mitigation discounts
Don’t assume all policies are equal—review your deductibles carefully

🛠 Contractors & Builders:

Educate your clients on storm-resilient upgrades
Start offering roof replacement packages with FORTIFIED options
Collaborate with agents to provide value beyond just price

📋 Insurance Agents:

Stay current on mitigation discounts available from your carriers
Don’t just sell policies—explain how roof quality affects premiums and deductibles
Advocate for your clients and push for underwriting models that reward resilience

Final Thoughts: Let’s Stop Rebuilding the Same Way and Expecting Better Results

The blog Cracking the Insurance Code showed us that ratings don’t reflect customer experience, claim speed, or day-to-day protection.

In the same way, storm recovery alone isn’t enough. Real innovation means building smarter before the storm hits. And rewarding homeowners who do.

Texas doesn’t have to wait for disaster to drive change.We can lead with collaboration, smarter policy incentives, and roofing that protects real people—not just property lines.