Lowered my insurance bill after a roof inspection—anyone else surprised?

Sometimes feels like they’re just checking boxes, not really looking at the big picture.

That’s the story of every inspection I’ve ever been part of. You’d think a white TPO membrane would be a slam dunk for insurance savings, but half the time they’re more interested in how many layers you tore off or if your decking is original. I’ve had adjusters ask for photos of the attic insulation and then not even mention the new roof. It’s wild. Cooler attic, less strain on HVAC, longer shingle life—should be obvious, right? But yeah, it’s a mixed bag with discounts.

Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing—sometimes it feels like they’re more focused on the paperwork than what actually matters for the house. When we replaced our old asphalt shingles with a metal roof last year, I figured the insurance company would be all over it with discounts. Nope. They wanted to know if we updated the wiring and when the last plumbing inspection was. The new roof barely got a mention.

I get that they have their checklists, but it’s weird what they prioritize. You’d think a cooler attic and better energy efficiency would count for something, especially in places where summers are brutal. Maybe it depends on the adjuster or even just their mood that day.

Still, I did end up getting a small break on my premium after sending in a bunch of photos and receipts. Not as much as I hoped for, but better than nothing. It’s just funny how unpredictable the whole process can be...

- Ran into the same thing after switching to a standing seam metal roof.
- Figured “eco-friendly, fire resistant, lasts forever”—should be a win for insurance, right?
- Nope. They barely cared. Spent more time grilling me about my breaker box and if I had GFCIs in the kitchen.
- Got a tiny discount after sending in energy bills and photos, but honestly, it felt like pulling teeth.
- Makes you wonder if they even read those green building brochures they hand out...

Yeah, I hear you on this. It’s wild how little most insurance companies seem to care about roof upgrades, even when you’re talking about something as solid as standing seam metal. You’d think fire resistance and longevity would get real attention, but in my experience, they’re much more concerned about things like electrical (old breaker panels, GFCIs), plumbing updates, and sometimes even whether your smoke detectors are hardwired.

I’ve seen folks in hail-prone areas get a bit more recognition for metal roofs—sometimes a “Class 4 impact” rating will knock a few bucks off—but it’s rarely what you’d expect considering the upfront cost. Did your carrier even ask about the roof’s age or type when you switched? Or was it just the usual home systems checklist?

Honestly, I wonder if some of these underwriters have ever been up on a roof or dealt with storm claims themselves. After big wind or hail events, I see way fewer claims from clients with standing seam or stone-coated steel compared to asphalt shingles. But that doesn’t seem to translate into premiums unless you really push.

Sending in photos and energy bills—been there, done that. Sometimes feels like you need to write an essay just to get a tiny discount. At least you got something for your trouble; I know people who didn’t budge their rate at all after major upgrades.

Curious if they gave you any feedback about why the breaker box mattered more? Was it an older panel (like Federal Pacific or Zinsco) or just them following a script? I’ve seen insurance drop coverage over certain brands more than they ever cared about roof materials.

You’re definitely not alone in feeling like those green building brochures are mostly for show. If it helps, your roof should still pay off in the long run with less hassle after storms—even if your insurer doesn’t seem impressed right now.

Totally get what you mean about insurance being more focused on breaker panels than roofs.

“Curious if they gave you any feedback about why the breaker box mattered more?”