North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey joined with the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA) and other state leaders to celebrate the state’s 15,000 fortified roof designation during an event in Wilmington today.
Commissioner Causey has been a strong advocate for the NCIUA’s fortified roof programs, which provides grants for homeowners to install Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) FORTIFIED Roofs, aiming to increase coastal resilience and potentially lower insurance costs.
North Carolina currently ranks second in the nation in fortified roofs.
“I applaud the NCIUA for investing over $100 million in this incredibly successful and growing program,” said Commissioner Causey. “Since being sworn in January 2017, when we had fewer than 100 fortified roofs in North Carolina. Today, we’re here to celebrate 15,000 fortified roofs in our state. That’s progress!
“My goal as Insurance Commissioner is to make sure our coastal areas retain their beauty and strength while keeping North Carolina residents safe. I commend those who have participated in one of the programs for taking positive steps to strengthen their roofs so that we build more resilient coastal communities, and I urge lawmakers to continue their support for the program.”
Commissioner Causey noted an N.C. State University study showing that owners of houses that had fortified roofs were 34% less likely to file a claim following Hurricanes Matthew, Florence, Dorian and Isaias. Of the ones that did file a claim, the damage was 22% less severe compared to homes with standard roofs.
Building stronger homes with fortified roofs is one way to make insurance claims less costly, which could lead to less pressure to increase homeowners’ insurance rates and build a stronger storm-ready North Carolina, Commissioner Causey said.