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Alabama Study Highlights Benefits of Fortified Construction in Hurricane Zones
A recent study — Performance of IBHS FORTIFIED Home Construction in Hurricane Sally, conducted by the Alabama Department of Insurance and the Center for Risk and Insurance Research at the University of Alabama — provides new evidence supporting the use of climate-resilient construction methods to reduce storm-related damage. The analysis examined insurance claims related to Hurricane Sally, which made landfall on the Alabama coast in 2020 with wind speeds reaching up to 105 miles per hour, and found that homes built or retrofitted to Fortified standards experienced significantly better outcomes.
Key Findings on Fortified Construction
The study focused on homes built or retrofitted to meet Fortified standards — a set of voluntary construction guidelines developed by the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). These standards are designed to mitigate wind and rain damage through structural improvements such as upgraded roof fasteners, impact-rated doors and windows, and stronger wall-to-foundation connections. The Fortified program includes three designation levels: Roof, Silver, and Gold.
Data collected from over 40,000 homes with a combined insured value of $17 billion revealed that Fortified homes experienced significantly fewer and less severe insurance claims. Specifically, the study found:
- Claim frequency reduction: 55% to 74%, depending on designation level
- Loss severity reduction: 14% to 40%
- Claim representation: Although Fortified homes made up nearly a quarter of the policies studied, they accounted for only 9% of total claims
The researchers concluded that, had all affected homes in Mobile and Baldwin counties met Fortified standards, insurers could have reduced payouts by up to 75%, saving approximately $112 million. Homeowners could have saved up to $35 million in deductibles — a 65% reduction.
Implementation in Alabama
Alabama began exploring resilience strategies following Hurricane Ivan in 2004. In response, the state enacted two major initiatives:
- Mandatory minimum insurance discounts for Fortified homes, with potential savings of up to 50% on the wind portion of homeowners’ premiums
- The Strengthen Alabama Homes grant program, which has awarded $86 million since 2015 to support 8,700 home retrofits
These initiatives have led to widespread adoption of Fortified standards, with over 53,000 Fortified-designated homes now in Alabama, out of 80,000 nationwide.
Broader Impact and Interest
The Fortified approach is being used not only by individual homeowners but also by disaster recovery nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity, Team Rubicon, and SBP. These organizations have implemented the standards in rebuilding projects across nine states, often with funding support from insurance companies.
Though the Fortified upgrades add costs, ranging from 0.5% to 3% for new construction and 6% to 16% for retrofits, the study highlights long-term financial benefits. It also notes that Fortified does not address all types of storm damage; nearly half the claims analyzed were due to fallen trees, which require separate mitigation strategies.
Looking Ahead
Alabama is expanding its grant program to three additional counties this year. State Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler stated that the program has helped stabilize the insurance market and hopes it will encourage more insurers to offer wind coverage in coastal areas. He also recently spoke in support of California’s proposed Safe Homes Act, which would provide grants for wildfire-resistant upgrades.
Fowler emphasized a proactive approach to natural disasters: “You must find ways to build stronger before the event so you will have less damage after the event.”
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