MEETING FORTIFIED HOME BUILDING STANDARD CAN SAVE ON INSURANCE
Q: You and your son recently received certifications as Fortified Home evaluators. What does that mean?
A: Fortified refers to new building standards developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. The Oklahoma Insurance Commission approved this standard effective April 1, and gave insurance companies until May 1 to determine discounts based on the insured meeting the standard. The Fortified standard improves a building’s resistance to severe wind and hail through voluntary severe storm protection system upgrades.
Q: Are there different standard levels?
A: Yes. There are three levels. Bronze is for the roof only, and obtainable when you re-roof an existing home. Silver requires all Bronze requirements and moves into gable walls, gable overhangs, porches, carports and chimneys. Gold is really for new construction. It has all the Bronze and Silver requirements plus a detailed requirement for a continuous load path strapping/connects from roof to wall, wall to floor, and floor to foundation.
Q: How big are the discounts?
A: Discounts range up to 20 percent, depending on the carrier and the level the building meets.
Q: If a house is built to Fortified standards, will it withstand a tornado?
A: No. There isn’t much that could withstand a direct hit by a tornado. But the continual testing shows that Fortified houses can withstand 140 mph direct winds. Houses built to Fortified standards have 60 percent less claim frequency and a 40 percent reduction in severity.
Q: Why is an evaluator needed?
A: To be certified/approved as meeting Fortified standards, a house or roof must be checked by a trained, independent third party (not the builder or the roofer). It must be checked by a Fortified evaluator and submitted for approval. To find a Fortified evaluator, roofer or builder, go to disastersafety.org/ fortified or call Tim Lovell at 918-403-9823. He can refer you to an evaluator closest to you.