North Carolina’s Department of Insurance announced a $20 mn funding boost for its Strengthen Your Coastal Roof program, expanding grants for homeowners upgrading to fortified roofing systems designed to withstand severe storms.
The program offers $6,000 grants to eligible policyholders who upgrade to meet Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) Fortified standards.
These standards include reinforced roof-deck attachments, sealed decks, and secured edges. All completed upgrades undergo independent inspections to ensure compliance.
According to the Institute for Advanced Analytics at North Carolina State University, homes with Fortified roofs have shown a 63% reduction in claims after non-named storms.
For named hurricanes—including Matthew, Florence, Dorian, and Isaias—the number of claims dropped by 35%, and the severity of damage decreased by 23%, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said in a statement.
In addition to increasing storm resilience, Causey noted that Fortified upgrades may qualify homeowners for insurance premium credits.
This latest funding follows a separate $20 mn grant initiative launched in May by the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA) targeting homeowners in the Outer Banks and barrier islands.
The new funding is aimed at extending support to the remaining 18 coastal counties, NCIUA CEO Gina Hardy said.
Research from the Institute for Advanced Analytics at North Carolina State University shows that homes with a fortified roof had about 35% fewer claims after hurricanes Matthew, Florence, Dorian and Isaias. When claims were filed, the damage was about 23% less severe.
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey
Since 2016, more than 18,000 policyholders have received grant assistance to meet Fortified standards. The combined investment now exceeds $120 mn, according to the Department of Insurance.
Beyond the grant programs, the NCIUA also offers a stronger roof endorsement at no additional cost. This endorsement provides up to $5,000 in extra coverage for Fortified roof upgrades when repairs are needed under a covered claim.
