Louisiana Fortify Homes Program: How Upgrading Your Roof Can Lower Your Premium

Louisiana homeowners know all too well the impact that a single hurricane can have on a home. With high winds reaching up to 150 mph, storms can tear roofs right off of their foundations, leaving devastation and a massive repair bill in their wake. That’s why the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP) was created: to help Louisiana homeowners strengthen their roofs against potentially devastating storms. But exactly what is this grant program, and how can it help you save on your homeowners insurance premium?

What is the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program?

The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP) helps Louisiana homeowners strengthen and fortify their roofs against severe storms and wind damage. Essentially, this program grants homeowners up to $10,000 to upgrade their roofs to meet the FORTIFIED standard. This standard was created by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) to address common weaknesses in residential roofing systems and better protect homes from high winds, severe storms, and hurricanes. When your roof meets FORTIFIED standards, it becomes stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for hurricane-force winds. Plus, FORTIFIED certification can qualify you for insurance discounts while improving your home’s protection. This means that your home stays better protected, and you pay less for your premium—it’s a win-win.

If you’re looking to learn more about what makes a roof FORTIFIED, how it can save you money, and how to apply for the grant, you’ve come to the right place.

Benefits of a FORTIFIED Roof

When it comes to protecting your home from storm damage, a FORTIFIED Roof offers some of the highest levels of protection available. But achieving this level of protection requires careful construction. To achieve this level of performance, each FORTIFIED Roof must follow a specific set of construction standards, from materials to installation: 

• Stronger Edges: Specific materials and installation methods, such as a wider drip edge and a fully adhered starter strip, prevent wind from getting under the roof and ripping it away.
• Sealed Roof Deck: Roof decks must be completely sealed to prevent the water damage that typically occurs when roof coverings are blown away.
• Better Attachment: Instead of using standard smooth nails, FORTIFIED requires the use of ring-shank nails to help keep the roof attached to the home during high winds. Using ring-shank nails as opposed to common smooth nails nearly doubles the strength of a roof against high winds.
• Impact-Resistant Shingles: To meet the optional Hail Supplement in a FORTIFIED roof designation, builders must use stronger shingles that can withstand hail up to 2 inches in diameter.

When used together in a FORTIFIED Roof upgrade, these construction standards produce a durable, high-performance roof designed to resist Louisiana’s toughest of storms.

What Makes a Home Louisiana Fortify Homes Program Eligible?

Before applying for a LFHP grant, Louisiana homeowners should understand the requirements and restrictions of the program:

• New construction homes, condominiums, and mobile homes are not eligible to participate in the LFHP. 
• Homes built on a foundation that is constructed of unrestrained stacked masonry or stone (dry-stack foundation) are not eligible to participate in the LFHP without an approved retrofit of the foundation. 
• Only primary residences are eligible to participate.
• Applicants must have an active residential insurance policy that includes wind coverage. If a home is located in a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area, the homeowner must also carry a flood insurance policy.
• A certified FORTIFIED Evaluator must determine the home is in good repair. 
• To receive grant funding, homeowners must replace the entire, contiguous roof covering. Partial repairs such as roof patching are not eligible for funding under the LFHP.

To view the entire list of requirements, visit the LFHP website.

LFHP Application Process

Once you’ve verified that your home is eligible for the LFHP grant program, you’re ready to begin the application process. Check the section above on LFHP Eligibility to ensure your home is qualified before applying. 

The application window opens periodically throughout the year, so you’ll want to keep an eye on it. Be prepared for when it does open – spots fill up quickly, sometimes even within hours. So it’s best to have everything you need ready to go before the application window opens. You will need the following to fill out the LFHP grant application:

• Your homestead exemption tax bill
• Your driver’s license 
• Your homeowners insurance declarations page
• Your flood insurance policy (if applicable – this applies mainly to homeowners located in a special flood hazard area)

Once you’ve gathered all the required documents, you’re ready to apply for a LFHP grant!

The FORTIFIED Process

Once your application is complete, you will follow these steps to complete your FORTIFIED Roof certification:

1. Fortified Evaluator: Within seven (7) days of applying for a LFHP grant, homeowners must choose a certified evaluator from LFHP to come and evaluate their home. After assessing the property, the LFHP evaluator will compose a FORTIFIED roof plan and submit the report to the LFHP. 
2. Contractor Bid Request: The homeowner will solicit for bids from three (3) LFHP-approved contractors. These bids must reflect accurately the work aligned with the evaluator’s roof plan. After selecting three (3) bids, the homeowner submits them to LFHP through the online portal. LFHP works to ensure contractors eligibility and bid compliance throughout the process.
3. Final Contractor Selection: Within twenty-three (23) days, the homeowner will select one (1) LFHP-approved contractor to perform the roof fortification. Upon authorization from the LFPH, the chosen contractor can begin installing the new roof according to FORTIFIED standards.

After completion of the upgraded roof, a post-installation inspection may take place to ensure everything meets FORTIFIED standards. After issuing the homeowner the FORTIFIED certificate, the evaluator notifies LFPH and the homeowners can use the certificate to qualify for discounts on their premium.

How Much Can the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program Save You?

An exact number is hard to pinpoint, as each insurance company provides different discounts for a FORTIFIED Roof. Factors such as your home’s location and home type can affect how an insurer prices and discounts your premium. Although discounts for FORTIFIED Roofs vary, homeowners who upgrade often save between 22% and 30% on their homeowners insurance premiums. Imagine taking your homeowners insurance premium from $3,000 to $2,100 just for upgrading your home’s roof. It’s a simple upgrade that not only strengthens your home, but can also put meaningful savings back in your pocket year after year.

Save on Your Windstorm Insurance Today

Ultimately, applying for a LFHP grant isn’t just applying to upgrade your roof; it’s investing in the future of your home. A FORTIFIED Roof is a roof ready to stand against the most forceful of storms and protect your property from damages caused by high winds. Louisiana’s weather can be unpredictable, but you can be prepared.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your roof against Louisiana’s toughest storms or save on your yearly premium, TGS Insurance Agency is here to help. Our experienced team of agents guide you through the windstorm insurance process and help you receive every discount you’re entitled to. We’re here to help you find a comprehensive windstorm insurance policy that fits both your needs and your budget. 

Ready to get started? Connect with TGS Insurance Agency today and get the protection you need with a windstorm policy designed to fortify your home and your wallet.