What is a Class 4 impact-resistant shingle, and does it lower my insurance?
A Class 4 shingle has earned the highest rating under the UL 2218 impact test, which drops a two-inch steel ball from twenty feet onto the same spot twice without cracking the shingle. Most Texas insurance companies offer a discount for a Class 4 roof, usually on the wind and hail part of the premium, and you will need to send them the manufacturer certificate. In areas that see hail often, the discount can cover the extra cost of the shingle over several years.
How shingles are tested for impact resistance
The UL 2218 test drops steel balls of increasing size onto a shingle from a set height, then checks the underside for cracks. Class 1 uses a one-and-a-quarter-inch ball. Class 4 uses a two-inch ball dropped from twenty feet, twice on the same spot. A shingle that shows no cracking earns the Class 4 rating.
A second standard, FM 4473, uses ice balls fired at the roofing material. Most insurance discount forms in Texas refer to UL 2218.
Class 4 shingles are usually made with polymer-modified asphalt, often SBS rubber, which lets the shingle flex on impact and return to shape. Some products also add a reinforcing mesh to the back of the mat.
How the Texas insurance discount works
Most insurance companies that write homeowners policies in Texas offer a discount for an impact-resistant roof, often in the range of ten to thirty percent. The discount usually applies to the wind and hail portion of the premium, so the savings on your total bill will be smaller than the percentage suggests.
The discount is not applied automatically. Your insurance company will need the manufacturer certificate for the product installed, and may also ask for photos of the shingle wrappers or the installation. It is easiest to send this paperwork in when the roof is installed.
The discount usually lasts for the life of the roof and may carry over when the house is sold, so keep the certificate with your other home records.
Policy terms to check before you choose
Some Texas policies include a cosmetic damage exclusion for roofs. It allows the insurance company to decline hail damage that affects the roof's appearance without affecting how it performs. Class 4 shingles tend to dent instead of crack, so with this exclusion, visible hail marks on a Class 4 roof may not be covered.
Many policies also have a separate wind and hail deductible set as a percentage of the dwelling coverage. A two percent deductible on a $400,000 home is $8,000, which affects whether a smaller claim is worth filing.
Both terms are listed on your declarations page, and it is worth reading them before choosing a shingle.
When Class 4 shingles make sense
Class 4 shingles are usually a good investment where hail is common, where the roof is large, and where the policy does not include a cosmetic damage exclusion. Tarrant County sees frequent hail.
They make less financial sense on a small roof, on a policy with a high percentage deductible, or on a house that is likely to be sold within a few years.
Apart from insurance, an impact-resistant roof is more likely to come through a smaller hailstorm without needing repairs or a claim.
Related Questions
Do Class 4 shingles look different?
No. They come in standard architectural and designer styles and look the same from the ground as other shingles in the same product line.
Can I upgrade to Class 4 on an insurance replacement?
Yes. Your insurance company pays for the covered loss, and you pay the difference for the upgraded shingle.
How do I prove to my insurer that I have a Class 4 roof?
Send the manufacturer certificate for the installed product, and photos of the wrappers and installation if your insurance company asks for them. It is easiest to collect these at the time of installation.
