WILMINGTON, N.C., March 21, 2025 – The North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA) commemorated a significant achievement today: over 15,000 homes across North Carolina now boast FORTIFIED Roof™ designations. This milestone underscores the state’s commitment to bolstering resilience against severe weather, particularly in its coastal communities.
Developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction and re-roofing program going above and beyond standard building codes. It’s designed to fortify homes against high winds and heavy rainfall. Since 2016, the NCIUA has invested over $100 million to encourage homeowners to adopt these proven standards.
“While we can’t control storms, leaders and homeowners are working to lessen their impact,” said IBHS CEO Roy Wright, highlighting the proactive measures. “NCUIA and North Carolina’s financial support to help homeowners reduce storm damage is a forward-thinking investment that will enable communities to recover faster from hurricanes.”
FORTIFIED Roof upgrades include enhanced roof deck attachment, sealed roof decks, and secure edge protection. A third-party evaluator confirms that each installation fulfills the standards, ensuring quality and consistency. The NCIUA was among the first organizations in the nation to provide FORTIFIED grants and policy endorsements.
The NCIUA operates three programs to assist policyholders in upgrading their roofs:
- Strengthen Your Roof: Offers grants of up to $10,000 to eligible policyholders in the Outer Banks and Barrier Islands for FORTIFIED Roof installations.
- Strengthen Your Coastal Roof: In partnership with the State of North Carolina, this program provides grants of up to $6,000 for eligible policyholders in 18 coastal counties outside the Outer Banks and Barrier Islands.
- Stronger Roof Endorsements: Included at no cost in NCIUA Homeowners and Dwelling policies, this endorsement offers up to $5,000 in additional coverage for FORTIFIED upgrades when a roof is replaced due to covered damage.
“We are committed to strengthening North Carolina’s coast and building a stronger, storm-ready North Carolina. The NCIUA has invested over $100 million to help policyholders reduce their risk of storm damage, protecting homes and increasing the likelihood that families can return to their homes as soon as possible after the next storm,” said Gina Hardy, CEO of NCIUA. “Now, with over 15,000 FORTIFIED homes along the coast, we are minimizing the economic impact of storms and empowering communities to recover faster and more fully.”
Research supports the effectiveness of the FORTIFIED program. A study by the Institute for Advanced Analytics at North Carolina State University, analyzing storm losses from Hurricanes Matthew, Florence, Dorian, and Isaias, found that homes with FORTIFIED roofs were 34% less likely to file a claim. Where claims were filed, the damage was 22% less severe compared to homes built to standard construction.
At the event held at the Cape Fear Country Club, the NCIUA presented awards to individuals and organizations that have played crucial roles in achieving coastal resilience:
- Resilient Community Impact Award: Representative John Bell
- Resilient Trailblazer Award: Dennis Duffy, the first certified FORTIFIED evaluator in North Carolina
- First FORTIFIED Roof Recognition: American Values Contracting
- Pinnacle Volume Awards for Roofers: Coastal Roofing & Siding and Gallop Roofing & Remodeling
- Pinnacle Volume Awards for Evaluators: Pilot Catastrophe Services, NC Fortified LLC, and Projust, LTD
NCIUA also recognized key partners and leaders for their continued support, including: Mike Causey, NC Insurance Commissioner; Roy Wright, CEO of IBHS; Tim Minton, EVP of the NC Home Builders Association; Senator Jim Perry; Mayor Shannon Phillips, Mayor of Sunset Beach; Joanna Biliouris, GM of the NC Rate Bureau; and Willo Kelly, CEO of the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS.
For further details regarding NCIUA programs and grant applications, visit StrengthenYourRoof.com or StrengthenYourCoastalRoof.com. For more information about the FORTIFIED program, go to FORTIFIEDHome.org.
