Does a hail damage claim raise home insurance rates?

Both sides of the ledger

• What can go up: loss of a claims-free discount, a surcharge for a few years with some insurers, and territory-wide rate increases after a heavy hail season.
• What can go down: roof age surcharges disappear when a 17 year old roof becomes a brand new one; actual cash value roof terms may revert to replacement cost; impact-resistant shingle credits may apply.

Tell your agent about the new roof

Insurers do not always learn about a new roof on their own. After the replacement, send your agent:

1. The final invoice with the completion date.
2. The shingle manufacturer and product name.
3. Proof of impact rating if you chose an impact-resistant shingle, often a certificate or product listing showing a UL 2218 Class 4 rating.
4. The permit, if your city or county required one.

Ask the agent to rerate the policy and confirm in writing which credits applied.

Is an impact-resistant upgrade worth it?

Credits vary widely by insurer, and some offer none. Ask your agent for the actual premium difference before you choose, then compare it with the upgrade cost over the years you plan to stay. In hail-prone parts of North Georgia, the tougher shingle can also mean fewer claims in the future.

Comparing honestly

Look at your next two renewals, not just the first one. The discount you lose may be temporary, while the benefit of a new roof lasts as long as you own it.

More: roof claims and premiums and roof age and insurance. Robust Roofing also covers the impact-resistant shingle discount.