Metal Roofing Insurance Discounts: What NC Homeowners Need to Know

Beyond durability and longevity, metal roofing offers a financial benefit many homeowners overlook: lower insurance premiums. North Carolina insurers often discount policies for homes with impact-resistant, fire-resistant, and wind-resistant roofing, and metal roofing checks all three boxes.

The savings can be substantial. Over the decades your metal roof lasts, insurance discounts alone can offset a meaningful portion of your initial investment. Here’s how it works and how to make sure you get every discount you’re entitled to.

Why Insurers Discount Metal Roofing

Insurance companies aren’t generous. They offer discounts because metal roofing reduces their risk.

Fewer Claims

Metal roofs experience less damage from common insurance claim triggers:

Hail damage: Quality metal roofing resists hail that destroys shingles. While extreme hail can dent metal, it rarely penetrates. Shingle roofs in hail-prone areas generate constant replacement claims.

Wind damage: Standing seam’s concealed fasteners and continuous panels resist uplift forces better than individual shingles. After windstorms, shingle roofs lose materials while metal roofs typically remain intact.

Fire damage: Metal carries Class A fire rating, the highest available. Embers landing on a metal roof don’t ignite it. In fire-prone areas or during wildfires, this matters significantly.

Tree and debris impact: Metal’s strength handles falling branches better than most materials. Damage that would punch through shingles often leaves metal intact or minimally dented.

Lower Claim Severity

When metal roofs do sustain damage, repairs are often simpler:

  • Dents may be cosmetic only, not requiring repair
  • Individual panels can be replaced without affecting surrounding areas
  • The underlying structure is better protected, limiting secondary damage

Less frequent claims with lower severity equals lower insurer payouts equals lower premiums for you.

Impact Resistance Ratings Explained

The key to insurance discounts is understanding impact resistance ratings.

UL 2218 Testing

Underwriters Laboratories tests roofing materials for impact resistance using standardized procedures. Steel balls of increasing size are dropped from 20 feet onto the roofing material. The rating depends on the largest ball size that doesn’t cause damage:

Class Steel Ball Size Diameter
Class 1 1.25 inches ~golf ball
Class 2 1.5 inches
Class 3 1.75 inches
Class 4 2 inches ~billiard ball

 

Class 4 is the highest rating and qualifies for the largest insurance discounts.

Metal Roofing Ratings

Most quality metal roofing achieves Class 4 impact resistance:

  • Standing seam steel: Generally Class 4
  • Metal shingles: Most achieve Class 4
  • Stone-coated steel: Typically Class 4
  • Aluminum standing seam: Generally Class 4

When selecting metal roofing, verify the specific product’s impact rating. Not all metal roofing is rated, and some budget products may rate lower.

Wind Resistance Ratings

Wind resistance also affects insurance pricing, especially in coastal-influenced areas.

Wind Rating Standards

Metal roofing is tested for wind uplift resistance. Quality standing seam systems with proper installation achieve ratings of 110-140+ mph, exceeding building code requirements and outperforming most shingle products.

WNC Relevance

While Western North Carolina isn’t coastal, we experience significant wind events:

  • Mountain valley wind channeling
  • Severe thunderstorm downbursts
  • Remnants of tropical systems

Insurers recognize these risks and reward wind-resistant roofing accordingly.

Fire Resistance Ratings

Class A Rating

Roofing fire resistance is rated Class A (best), Class B, or Class C. Metal roofing inherently achieves Class A because metal doesn’t burn.

This matters for:

  • Homes in wooded areas
  • Properties in wildland-urban interface zones
  • Areas that have experienced wildfire threats

WNC Fire Risk

Western NC has seen increasing fire activity in recent years. Insurers are more aware of wildfire risk than previously. A Class A roof may be particularly valued if your property is in a higher-risk zone.

How Much Can You Save?

Insurance discounts for metal roofing vary by carrier, policy, and location, but here are realistic ranges:

Typical Discount Ranges

Discount Type Typical Range
Impact resistance (Class 4) 5-20%
Wind resistance 2-10%
Fire resistance 2-10%
Combined discounts 10-30%

 

These percentages apply to the portion of your premium related to dwelling coverage, not necessarily the total premium. Still, savings add up.

Dollar Value Examples

Example 1: Average WNC Home

  • Annual premium: $1,800
  • Metal roof discount: 15%
  • Annual savings: $270
  • 50-year savings: $13,500+

Example 2: Higher-Value Mountain Home

  • Annual premium: $3,500
  • Metal roof discount: 20%
  • Annual savings: $700
  • 50-year savings: $35,000+

Example 3: Fire-Prone Area Property

  • Annual premium: $2,400
  • Metal roof discount (including fire resistance): 25%
  • Annual savings: $600
  • 50-year savings: $30,000+

These savings aren’t hypothetical. Real homeowners receive them annually.

Which Carriers Offer Discounts?

Most major insurers operating in North Carolina offer some form of metal roof or impact-resistant roof discount. However, specifics vary:

Carriers Known for Metal Roof Discounts

  • State Farm: Offers roof age and material discounts
  • Allstate: Impact-resistant roof discounts available
  • USAA: Strong discounts for qualifying materials
  • Farmers: Roof material factored into pricing
  • Liberty Mutual: Impact resistance discounts offered
  • Nationwide: Roof type affects premium calculations

Regional and Specialty Carriers

Some regional carriers and specialty insurers serving mountain properties offer particularly strong discounts for weather-resistant roofing. If you’re with a regional carrier, it’s worth asking specifically.

Contact Your Carrier

This list isn’t exhaustive, and carrier programs change. Contact your specific insurer to understand:

  • What discounts are available for metal roofing
  • What ratings or certifications are required
  • What documentation you need to provide

How to Claim Your Discount

Getting the discount requires proactive steps.

Before Your Roofing Project

  1. Contact your insurance agent. Explain you’re considering metal roofing and ask what discounts are available.
  2. Ask about requirements. What impact rating is needed? What documentation do they require? Are there approved manufacturers or products?
  3. Get specifics in writing. Ask for documentation of available discounts and requirements so there’s no confusion later.
  4. Share with your contractor. Make sure the roofing you select meets your insurer’s requirements.

After Installation

  1. Gather documentation. Collect:
  • Manufacturer product specifications showing ratings
  • Invoice or receipt showing product installed
  • Photos of completed installation
  • Contractor information and warranty documentation
  1. Submit to insurer. Provide documentation to your agent. Some insurers have specific forms; ask what format they prefer.
  2. Verify discount applied. Review your next policy renewal to confirm the discount appears. If not, follow up.
  3. Keep records. Store documentation permanently. You may need it for future policy renewals or if you change carriers.

If You Already Have Metal Roofing

If your home already has metal roofing and you’re not receiving a discount:

  1. Contact your agent. Ask if you qualify for discounts you’re not receiving.
  2. Provide documentation. You may need to provide product information even for existing roofs.
  3. Shop carriers if necessary. If your current carrier doesn’t offer competitive discounts, other carriers may value your metal roof more.

What About Premium Metal Products?

Some premium metal roofing products offer enhanced ratings that may qualify for additional discounts:

Enhanced Impact Ratings

Certain metal products are tested and marketed specifically for impact resistance, sometimes exceeding standard Class 4 requirements. If your insurer offers tiered discounts, premium products may qualify for higher tiers.

Manufacturer Warranties

Some insurers give additional consideration to products with strong manufacturer warranties. Long-term warranties from reputable manufacturers signal product confidence.

Installation Certifications

Proper installation affects performance. If your contractor holds manufacturer certifications or other credentials, document this. Some insurers may factor installation quality into assessments.

Common Questions

Do I need to upgrade to get the discount?

If your current roof is due for replacement anyway, metal roofing qualifies you for discounts going forward. You don’t need to replace a functional roof just to get insurance discounts. But when replacement time comes, metal offers this added benefit.

Does any metal roof qualify?

Not automatically. The specific product needs to carry the impact, wind, or fire ratings that your insurer requires. Budget metal products without ratings may not qualify. Verify before purchasing.

Will my premium decrease immediately?

Typically, the discount applies at your next policy renewal after you submit documentation. Some carriers may adjust mid-term; ask your agent.

What if I change insurance carriers?

You’ll need to provide documentation to your new carrier and request applicable discounts. The discount doesn’t transfer automatically.

Are there deductible considerations?

Some policies with roof-related discounts have specific deductibles for roof claims (sometimes higher). Understand the full picture, not just the premium discount.

What about older metal roofs?

Metal roofs age well. A 20-year-old standing seam roof generally qualifies for the same discounts as a new one, assuming it’s in good condition. Older metal roofs may actually be viewed more favorably than newer shingle roofs.

Insurance Savings in the Big Picture

When calculating metal roofing’s total value proposition, insurance savings add significantly to the cost comparison.

Total potential savings from metal roofing over 50 years:

  • Avoided roof replacements: $30,000-$50,000
  • Energy savings: $5,000-$15,000
  • Insurance savings: $10,000-$35,000
  • Maintenance savings: $3,000-$7,000
  • Total potential benefit: $48,000-$107,000

Against a $25,000 investment in standing seam metal roofing, the value proposition is substantial.

Make Sure You’re Getting Every Dollar

Insurance discounts represent real money that’s easy to leave on the table. If you’re installing metal roofing, or already have it, verify you’re receiving all available discounts.

Questions about metal roofing’s benefits? Call Secure Roofing at 828-888-ROOF for a free consultation. We’ll help you choose materials that maximize your insurance savings while protecting your home for decades.

Related Articles:

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