Is a metal roof or an asphalt shingle roof better for insurance?
Short answer. For premiums, a new metal roof or a new impact rated asphalt shingle roof can both earn credits, and either beats an old roof. Metal tends to last longer and resist wind and fire, while asphalt shingles usually cost less to install and are simpler to repair and match after a storm.
Premium factors side by side
- Age: both start fresh when new. Asphalt reaches insurer age limits much sooner, often around 15 to 20 years; metal is usually allowed far longer.
- Impact: Class 4 ratings exist for both. Impact rated shingles and Class 4 metal panels may qualify for the same discount with insurers that offer one.
- Wind: standing seam metal resists uplift well; architectural shingles carry wind ratings that depend on proper nailing and sealing.
- Fire: both are commonly Class A when installed as tested.
Claim factors side by side
- Hail on shingles: bruised or fractured shingles are functional damage, so claims are generally straightforward to evaluate.
- Hail on metal: dents may be excluded as cosmetic if your policy carries that endorsement.
- Repair cost: shingles are cheaper and quicker to repair and replace; metal panels and trim cost more and can be harder to match.
How to decide
- Get premium quotes from your agent for both, including whether a cosmetic exclusion would apply.
- Compare installed cost and expected life.
- Factor in hail exposure, since damaging hail strikes somewhere in North Georgia most years.
- Check HOA rules, since some neighborhoods restrict metal.
For more on how hail affects each, see hail size and roof damage and cosmetic damage exclusions.