What is FORTIFIED?
FORTIFIED is a voluntary, beyond-code construction and re-roofing program developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). It strengthens homes, multifamily buildings, and commercial properties against severe weather, including high winds, hail, hurricanes, and tornadoes. The standard is based on decades of scientific research and is free to access. Building to it requires hiring a certified contractor and working with a FORTIFIED Evaluator.
What FORTIFIED programs are available?
There are three programs based on property type:
- FORTIFIED Home — residential houses, townhomes, and duplexes
- FORTIFIED Multifamily — apartments, condos, and other multifamily properties
- FORTIFIED Commercial — businesses and commercial properties
What are the differences between the FORTIFIED levels?
Each program has three tiers:
- Roof: keeps the roof on and the rain out. Stronger connections hold the roof to the structure during high winds.
- Silver: includes everything in FORTIFIED Roof and adds protection for vulnerable components, such as windows, garage doors, and attached structures.
- Gold: includes everything in Roof and Silver and requires a continuous load path, meaning the entire structure is tied together from roof to foundation.
Does my home have to be on the coast to qualify?
No. Both coastal and inland homes can be retrofitted to FORTIFIED Roof and FORTIFIED Silver. New construction can be built to any level, including Gold. FORTIFIED is relevant wherever severe wind, hail, or tornadoes are a risk.
Am I limited to certain materials or products?
No. FORTIFIED is product agnostic. A home can be built using any material, including wood, poured concrete, insulated concrete forms, or steel frame, as long as the material meets the wind zone and pressure rating for where the home is located. Products will have a label showing their testing rating.
How much does it cost to build to FORTIFIED?
Building to the FORTIFIED standard costs more than code-minimum construction, but less than most people expect.
For new construction, the upgrade cost over a standard code-compliant build is typically 0.5% to 3% of total construction costs.
For retrofitting an existing home, the range is 6% to 16%, depending on the home's condition and the required work. The bulk of the cost in a retrofit is the roof itself, which you are paying to replace regardless. You are paying for the upgrade, not the whole project.
Several states offer grants that cover part or all of that upgrade cost. Alabama's Strengthen Alabama Homes program provides up to $10,000. Louisiana's Fortify Homes Program does the same. View the Incentives and Resource Map to see what is available in your state.
Who performs the work?
As of November 2025, the FORTIFIED standard requires that roofs be installed by a certified FORTIFIED roofing contractor. New construction and retrofit projects also require a certified FORTIFIED Evaluator, who independently documents and verifies that materials and methods meet the required specifications. This combination of certified installation and third-party verification makes a FORTIFIED designation meaningful and distinguishes it from code-minimum construction with similar features but no accountability.
Find a certified FORTIFIED contractor or Evaluator in your area.
What are the insurance benefits?
In states with enacted FORTIFIED incentive legislation, homeowners with a FORTIFIED designation qualify for mandated insurance discounts. Savings range from 20% to 55% off the wind portion of a premium, depending on the state and designation level. Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Oklahoma, and North Carolina all have legislation in place.
Beyond required discounts, many major carriers voluntarily offer FORTIFIED discounts. State Farm publicly recognizes FORTIFIED designations as a qualifying standard for wind mitigation discounts in multiple states. Other major carriers, including Allstate, USAA, and Liberty Mutual, have offered voluntary discounts in markets where FORTIFIED adoption is strong. Discounts vary by carrier, state, and designation level. Ask your insurance agent directly what is available.
The financial case is backed by data. A 2025 peer-reviewed study found that FORTIFIED Roof homes in coastal Alabama had 73% fewer insurance claims and 72% lower total losses during Hurricane Sally compared to conventionally built homes. That performance record is why more carriers are voluntarily recognizing the standard, even before states require it.
View state-specific discounts.
Where do I start?
Find a certified FORTIFIED Evaluator or contractor in your area, check what grants or incentives are available in your state, and contact us if you have questions about the process.
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