The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) developed FORTIFIED Multifamily™ as a construction standard and designation to reduce damage to apartments and other complexes and help the workforce stay on their feet. The faster a workforce is able to get back to their businesses and life, the better their community is able to recover after a severe storm. FORTIFIED Multifamily™ includes three levels of resiliency, Roof, Silver, and Gold.
A study completed in 2022 by the Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research found the benefits to property owners included reduced insurance premiums and retained losses (e.g.,
deductibles) and, possibly, greater property insurance availability (i.e., choices among carriers). Most importantly, they realized the return on investment could be up to 72%.
Below is the typical Multifamily process, which requires developers to apply with IBHS before starting construction.
