How much of an insurance discount do Class 4 shingles get in Texas?

It depends on the company. The Texas Department of Insurance says each insurer sets its own credit for each impact class, with Class 4 getting the highest. Ask your agent for their actual number, and what proof they need, before you pick a material.

What paperwork do I need for an impact-resistant roof discount?

Usually TDI form PC068, the Impact-Resistant Roofing Installation Form, filled out by your contractor after the job. Some insurers use their own form instead. The product also needs to be labeled with its impact class. Give the form to your agent and keep a copy.

Are Class 4 shingles hail-proof?

No. Class 4 is the highest rating in the UL 2218 impact test, but very large hail can still damage the roof. The IBHS also found that Class 4 products perform differently against realistic hail, so check its free ratings if you're choosing between brands.

How much more does a Class 4 roof cost in Austin?

A sponsored KXAN Studio 512 guide (updated September 2026) lists Class 4 shingles at about $6 to $11 per square foot installed, against $5 to $9.50 for architectural shingles. Treat those as published ranges and get bids for both options to see your real difference.

Does metal roofing count as impact resistant?

It can. The Texas Department of Insurance says shingles, tiles, shakes and metal panels can all be tested for impact resistance and classified Class 1 to 4. The discount depends on the product's tested class and your insurer's rules, so ask before you assume a metal roof qualifies.

Are Class 4 impact-resistant shingles worth it in Texas?

Class 4 shingles passed the toughest level of the standard impact test, and Texas insurers can give a premium credit for them. Each insurer sets its own discount, so the answer to “is it worth it” is a short calculation: the extra cost of the roof against the discount you’d get each year, plus fewer storm claims. Ask your agent for their number before you choose.

What does “Class 4” mean?

Impact-resistant roofing is tested under a standard called UL 2218, which rates products Class 1 through Class 4. In the test, steel balls are dropped onto the roofing, and Class 4 products survive the largest ball without cracking. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, a Class 4 roof covering gets the highest premium credit. The rating isn’t limited to asphalt: shingles, tiles, shakes and metal panels can all be tested and classified.

Do all Class 4 shingles hold up the same?

No. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) tests shingles with laboratory hail made to behave like real hailstones, and publishes free performance ratings for impact-resistant asphalt shingles. Products with the same Class 4 label can score differently. If you’re comparing brands, look them up before you sign.

How do I get the insurance discount in Texas?

Ask your insurer first. Discounts aren’t set by the state. Each company decides how much credit it gives for each class, which test results it accepts and what paperwork it wants.
Choose a labeled product. The roofing should be labeled with its impact class. For a credit from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), the label has to show the testing lab, the UL 2218 class, the manufacturer, the year made and the brand name.
Get the installation form. After the job, the contractor fills out TDI form PC068, Impact-Resistant Roofing Installation Form, or the insurer’s own form if it has one. TWIA requires PC068.
Send it in and keep a copy. Give it to your agent or insurer, and file a copy with your roof warranty.

Is it worth the extra cost in Austin?

A sponsored KXAN Studio 512 cost guide (updated September 2026) puts installed Class 4 shingles in Austin at about $6 to $11 per square foot of roof, against about $5 to $9.50 for standard architectural shingles. Those are published ranges, not quotes. The difference you’ll actually pay shows up when you get bids for both.

Then weigh it against your insurer’s discount and how long you expect to stay. A tougher roof can also mean fewer claims and less disruption after storms. Impact resistant doesn’t mean hail-proof, though: very large hail can still damage a Class 4 roof.

What is a FORTIFIED Roof?

FORTIFIED is a voluntary IBHS program that sets construction and re-roofing standards beyond the shingles themselves. Its optional hail supplement calls for shingles rated Good or Excellent in the IBHS hail ratings. Ask whether your roofer does FORTIFIED installs if you want the extra protection, and ask your insurer whether it credits them.

Which impact-resistant shingle brand is best?

The Texas Department of Insurance doesn't endorse or recommend any roofing material, and we don't either. The most useful comparison is the free IBHS hail ratings, which test impact-resistant asphalt shingles against realistic hail and publish a rating for each one. FORTIFIED's hail supplement accepts shingles rated Good or Excellent. Also check that the product is labeled with its impact class.