Louisiana homeowners who upgraded their roofs to meet Fortified standards saw an average annual insurance premium reduction of 22%, according to a report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.
A survey conducted by the auditor in 2025 found that 25.2% of homeowners participating in the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program experienced annual premium reductions of $2,000 or more, while 3.3% of participants saw premium increases.
The state launched its home-hardening grant program in 2023, following Alabama’s implementation of a similar initiative. While Louisiana’s Fortified certification program began in 2008, it was not until 2021 that the state incorporated the standard into its building code and insurance discount framework.
The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP) was created in 2022 but did not receive funding until 2023.
At the time of initial funding, there were 313 Fortified-certified roofs in the state, according to the auditor’s report. As of Feb. 1, 2025, that number had increased to 5,413, representing a 17-fold growth over two years. The report noted that 64% of these certifications were not funded by the LFHP.
The Fortified standards are part of the major insurance reforms enacted by the Louisiana legislature aimed at contributing to market stabilization.
Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple recently touted these reforms, noting that the state saw 10 new homeowners insurers entering Louisiana as well as a decline in both costs and the frequency of rate filings.
Temple said that approved homeowners insurance rate increases in 2024 averaged 6.6%, compared with 14% in 2023 and 16.2% in 2022.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety sets the Fortified standards, which involve several requirements aimed at strengthening roofs. According to the auditor’s report, key components of the standard include stronger fasteners and connectors, as well as improved water resistance.
Beyond directly lowering premiums for individual homeowners, the auditor’s report suggested that an increased concentration of Fortified-certified properties could draw additional insurers into the Louisiana market, increasing competition and potentially driving down costs.
The report also noted that reinsurers view Fortified homes favorably, which could improve reinsurance terms for carriers.
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