How stronger homes can help protect families from severe weather

The Evolution of FORTIFIED Homes: A Decade of Progress

The IBHS FORTIFIED Home program, which began in the late 1990s, gained momentum in 2010 when it shifted focus to the wind peril and introduced “Fortified for Wind” standards. This game-changing approach included home improvements, not just new construction, making resilience accessible to many more homeowners.

Alabama is where the FORTIFIED Home program grew the fastest, bringing together builders, regulators and government leaders in a collaborative effort. A key driver of this success has been the Strengthen Alabama Homes grant program, which provides homeowners with $10,000 to achieve a FORTIFIED designation. 

Today, Alabama boasts over 50,000 designations, leading the nation.* Many other states have followed with legislation, incentives and grant programs encouraging FORTIFIED construction.
 

Hurricane Sally: Proof After the Storm

In September 2020, Hurricane Sally, a category 2 hurricane, hit the coast of Alabama. The data from Sally was a milestone for the insurance industry. For the first time we had real-world evidence that FORTIFIED homes suffer significantly less damage, resulting in fewer insurance claims and faster recovery times for families.

A study by the Center for Risk and Insurance Research at the University of Alabama analyzed over 40,000 properties impacted by Hurricane Sally. Researchers found:
 

• Homes with a FORTIFIED designation were 70% less likely to have an insurance claim than homes built to typical construction standards.
   
• Loss frequency (how often insurance claims occur) was reduced by 55% to 74% in FORTIFIED homes and loss severity (the average cost of claims) dropped by 14% to 40%— meaning these homeowners experienced less damage, avoiding high repair costs.
   

Safety, Savings and Strengthened Communities

At first glance, homeowners might see fortifying a home as being too costly or complicated. However, many FORTIFIED improvements are attainable and can be phased in over time, like reinforcing the roof’s framing, installing impact-resistant windows, or upgrading to a reinforced wind-rated garage door. These upgrades not only protect families but can also help reduce insurance claims, lower premiums through discounts and increase property values. 

State Farm agent Lad Drago in Spanish Fort, Ala., calls Baldwin County “ground zero” for FORTIFIED Homes. For nearly a decade, local builders and roofers have embraced these standards. “Customers see savings of $500 to $750 a year on insurance, depending on the age and location of the home,” Lad says. 

“Homeowners here don’t reroof unless it’s FORTIFIED because they understand the long-term value: Why risk $30,000 in roof damage when you can prevent it upfront?” Lad introduced FORTIFIED standards to his own builder in 2013, who quickly saw it as a marketing advantage, and soon other builders followed suit. Now, FORTIFIED roofs are a key selling point in real estate, often tipping buyer decisions and influencing negotiations.

Lad says “having a FORTIFIED roof changes the whole aspect of a claim. Older roofs often leak from minor damage, leading to costly repairs like replacing sheetrock and insulation. FORTIFIED roofs usually only lose a few shingles because of better protection and sealing. On the coast, it’s not just hurricanes, we get strong winds year-round. A FORTIFIED roof means better protection all year and less disruption when storms hit.”
 

Where We Are Today: Working Together to Make More Areas Resilient

This spring, IBHS announced that more than 100,000 homeowners nationwide have achieved the FORTIFIED program designation. We must continue to build on this momentum, encouraging builders, contractors and policymakers to collaborate on creative solutions that make stronger homes more accessible and achievable for all homeowners. From coastal regions to inland states, families should have access to resources they need to protect what matters most. With severe weather rising across the Central US and other parts of the country, FORTIFIED construction beyond the coast is more important than ever. 

The success of FORTIFIED Homes in Alabama, along with the state’s Strengthen Alabama Homes grants, now serves as a blueprint for other high-risk states. Combined with data from Hurricane Sally, I’m hopeful this will motivate all stakeholders to change how homes are built – making them stronger and safer for years to come.

As Next Gen Good Neighbors, we are committed to meeting our customers’ evolving needs with products and services that will push us all toward a more resilient future. Our vision at State Farm is for every homeowner to be able to build or retrofit their home to withstand severe weather, as well as for homeowners everywhere to take steps like creating defensible space and home hardening to reduce wildfire losses. At the end of the day, we want homes to be protected, but we also want lives to be saved.  

*Alabama Department of Insurance and Center for Risk and Insurance Research – University of Alabama, 2025