I’ve managed a few properties with both metal and asphalt roofs, and honestly, insurance barely blinked at the upgrades. They seemed way more interested in the area’s storm history than what material we used. Even after a full replacement with impact-resistant shingles, the deductible stayed put. It’s frustrating, but I guess from their perspective, one bad hailstorm can hit everyone on the block regardless of roof type...
They seemed way more interested in the area’s storm history than what material we used.
You nailed it—insurance companies are like that one friend who only cares about the neighborhood gossip, not your fancy new roof. Step 1: Upgrade your roof. Step 2: Expect a pat on the back from your insurance... and then crickets. I’ve seen folks go all-in on impact-resistant shingles, thinking their deductible would magically shrink. Nope. The underwriter just shrugs and points at the zip code. It’s a head-scratcher, but you’re not alone in the frustration. At least you’ve got a solid roof over your head—literally.
The underwriter just shrugs and points at the zip code.
That’s exactly what happened to me. I put on a metal roof last year, hoping for a break, but nope—same deductible as my neighbor with 3-tab shingles. It’s all about the storm maps, not the upgrades. Super annoying.
It’s all about the storm maps, not the upgrades. Super annoying.
That’s been my experience too. Insurance carriers seem to rely almost entirely on the risk profile for your zip code, regardless of what you’ve actually done to reduce risk. I’ve inspected plenty of homes with impact-resistant roofs, reinforced decking, you name it—still, the deductible’s the same as the neighbor with a patched-together roof. It’s frustrating, but from their perspective, the exposure is tied to location, not individual improvements. I wish there was a more nuanced approach, but that doesn’t seem to be the industry trend right now.
I’ve been scratching my head over this exact thing since I bought my place last year. I spent a small fortune on a new roof—impact-resistant shingles, extra underlayment, even upgraded the gutters to those fancy ones that supposedly don’t clog. My insurance agent nodded along approvingly, but when the policy paperwork came in, the deductible for wind and hail was still based on the “regional risk factor.” It’s like, congratulations on your shiny new roof, but here’s your deductible… same as everyone else on the block.
I get that the companies are looking at big-picture data, but it does feel a little unfair. I mean, if my neighbor’s 30-year-old shingles are flapping in the breeze and mine are basically Fort Knox, shouldn’t that count for something? I even asked about a discount or reduced deductible, and all I got was a vague “maybe next year we’ll have a program for that.” Not holding my breath.
On the flip side, I guess I see their logic. If a tornado rips through the area, they’re going to get hit with claims from everyone, not just the folks with bad roofs. Still, it makes me wonder why bother with upgrades if the insurance doesn’t really care. Maybe it’s more about peace of mind than actual savings.
Has anybody actually seen an insurer reward upgrades in a meaningful way? Or is this just one of those “good luck” situations where you do the right thing and hope for the best? Sometimes I feel like I’m paying more for being responsible... which is kind of backwards, right?
