Financing
Will a Class 4 hail-rated roof lower my insurance in Texas?
It might, but it is not automatic. The Texas Department of Insurance says roofing materials are rated Class 1 through 4 on the UL 2218 impact test, that a Class 4 covering would receive the highest premium credit, and that each insurance company sets its own discount for each class.
So the savings depend on your insurer, your policy, and paperwork proving the roof's rating. Whether a discount applies to a detached shed or cabin is something only your insurer can tell you, so ask before you pay extra for a hail-rated roof.
Why it matters
Hail is a real expense in Texas, so a tougher roof is tempting. The UL 2218 test drops steel balls onto the roofing: Class 1 uses a 1.25-inch ball, Class 2 a 1.5-inch ball, Class 3 a 1.75-inch ball, and Class 4 a 2-inch ball. The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) notes that these lab tests do not exactly replicate real hailstones, but they let products be compared. A Class 4 label is a useful sign, not a promise that hail will never damage the roof.
The paperwork matters as much as the roof. TDI publishes a form (PC068) that a roofer can complete to document an impact-resistant installation, though insurers may use their own forms. TDI also explains that insurers decide which test criteria they accept, how products must be labeled, and what documentation they want. For the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, products made after January 1, 1999 must carry a label showing the UL 2218 class, the manufacturer, the year made, and the brand, or they do not qualify for the credit.
Because the discount is the insurer's call, the smart move is to get the answer in writing before you choose a roof, then weigh that dollar savings against any extra upgrade cost.
Real examples
Ask for the discount by name
Call your agent and ask if the company offers an impact-resistant roof credit, which classes qualify, and whether it applies to a detached building like a shed or cabin.
Keep the rating paperwork
Ask your builder or roofer for the roofing product's UL 2218 class and the manufacturer's label or documentation, and keep it with your policy records. Some insurers accept TDI's PC068 form; others use their own.
Compare savings to the upgrade cost
Get the discount quoted in dollars per year, then compare it to what the hail-rated roof adds to the price. Only you and your insurer can run that math.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the discount is automaticTDI says each insurer sets its own credit for each class. You generally have to ask and provide documentation, and the answer can differ between companies.
- Treating Class 4 as hail-proofIBHS says the lab test is a way to compare products, not an exact copy of real hailstorms. A Class 4 roof can still be damaged by large or repeated hail.
- Skipping labels and recordsProducts that meet the standard but lack the required label may not qualify for some credits, such as TWIA's. Ask for the label details at the time of the build, not years later.
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