Roof check pays off
- Wisconsin homeowners heading into spring storm season are being urged to inspect roofs now, checking shingles, flashing, gutters, attic ventilation and moss before hail and wind turn small defects into leaks. - Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are marketed as the top common impact rating under UL 2218, and State Farm says qualifying products may earn homeowners insurance discounts, depending on state and policy. - The pitch lands as insurers and researchers focus harder on hail losses and roof resilience, with IBHS expanding shingle ratings for real-world hail performance. (ibhs.org)
Spring roof maintenance is getting a fresh push in Wisconsin before hail and thunderstorm season ramps up. (fourleafroofingwindows.com) The checklist is basic but specific: inspect shingles for cracks or lifting, examine flashing around chimneys and vents, clear gutters and downspouts, and remove moss that can trap moisture. (fourleafroofingwindows.com) The guide also tells homeowners to look inside, not just outside. It flags attic ventilation and insulation because heat and trapped moisture can shorten a roof’s life and make storm damage worse. (fourleafroofingwindows.com) The insurance angle is what gives the advice extra urgency. State Farm says homeowners who use certain impact-resistant roofing products, including hail-resistant or Class 4 shingles, may qualify for a premium discount. (statefarm.com) Class 4 is one of the industry’s highest common impact ratings for asphalt shingles under the UL 2218 test, according to Owens Corning. Manufacturers pitch those products as better able to withstand hail and wind-blown debris than standard shingles. (owenscorning.com 1) (owenscorning.com 2) Researchers have been trying to sort out which shingles actually perform best outside the lab. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety said in late 2025 that it had released its most expansive impact-resistant shingle ratings to date using lab-made hailstones designed to better mimic real storms. (ibhs.org) That matters in places where hail claims keep piling up. Owens Corning, citing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration storm data and State Farm claims figures, said the United States logged 4,436 major hail events in 2022 and State Farm paid more than $3.5 billion in hail claims that year. (owenscorning.com) State Farm stops short of promising a universal savings number. Its public guidance says discounts depend on the product and the state, and it tells homeowners to check with an agent before installing a new roof. (statefarm.com) So the practical message is less “buy a roof for a discount” than “fix weak spots before the next storm.” In Wisconsin, that starts with a ladder-free inspection plan, a contractor if damage is visible, and a close look at whether the next replacement should be impact-rated. (fourleafroofingwindows.com) (statefarm.com)
