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Connecticut backs IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standards for storm resilience
IBHS says FORTIFIED has topped 100,000 designations nationwide, and a University of Alabama study estimates insurers could have saved $105.6 million in Hurricane Sally losses if all homes met the standard.
Connecticut regulators are promoting IBHS' FORTIFIED Roof program to help homes better withstand high winds and severe storm damage, the Insurance Business reports. Connecticut Insurance Department Commissioner Josh Hershman joined builders, roofing professionals and industry leaders to introduce local professionals to FORTIFIED certification requirements and resources for resilient home improvements.
Officials said the state faces weather-related risk that is increasing in frequency and severity, and proactive mitigation is essential. Hershman said improving Connecticut's resilience starts with practical tools to reduce risk, while local builders and industry groups highlighted the role they can play in preparing homeowners.
IBHS announced on May 20, 2026 that FORTIFIED surpassed 100,000 designations nationwide, spanning 34 states as of its 2025 year-end reporting. The program issued more than 20,000 new designations in 2025 alone, a year-over-year increase of more than 20%, and IBHS projects it is on track to reach 120,000 designations by the end of 2026.
The move is backed by research cited by the outlet, including a University of Alabama study commissioned by the Alabama Department of Insurance. The study found FORTIFIED homes sustained significantly less damage and generated fewer claims than conventionally built homes during Hurricane Sally, and it estimated insurers would have saved $105.6 million in losses if every home met the FORTIFIED Roof standard, rising to $116.1 million under the FORTIFIED Gold standard.
The outlet also points to separate research in the Southern Economic Journal showing FORTIFIED-designated homes sell for about 7% more than comparable non-designated homes. Alabama, described as the program's longest-running adopter, has more than 53,000 designations and has paired FORTIFIED with mandated
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