Alabama: Roof Age and Home Insurance Rules

The short answer

Alabama’s stronger-roof program has become a model for other states. The Strengthen Alabama Homes program offers grants of up to $10,000 to bring a roof up to the FORTIFIED standard, and state law requires insurers to give premium discounts on the wind part of your policy for FORTIFIED homes. If your insurer is pressuring you about an old roof, a FORTIFIED replacement can solve the roof problem and lower your premium at the same time.

Is this you?

You live in Alabama and got a letter about your roof’s age or condition.
Your insurer wants a new roof before it renews, or is moving your roof to actual cash value.
You live in Baldwin or Mobile County and are worried about wind coverage.
You are helping a parent decide whether a grant-funded roof makes sense.

Notice rules: check your letter and your policy

Alabama sets the rules for cancellations and non-renewals through state law and the terms of your policy. A non-renewal means your coverage runs to the end of the current term and then stops. A cancellation ends it early.

Find the dates. Write down the date on the letter and the date your coverage ends.
Read the “Cancellation” and “Nonrenewal” conditions in your policy. They spell out how much notice your insurer must give and how it must send it.
Ask for the reason in writing. If the letter just says “roof,” ask exactly what the insurer saw, and for any photo it used.
Call the Alabama Department of Insurance (ALDOI) if the notice seems too short, gives no reason, or you think it is unfair. It can confirm the current rules for your situation.

Then read our guide to roof non-renewals for the full step-by-step plan.

Why roofs matter so much in Alabama

Hurricanes on the Gulf Coast and severe storms and tornadoes inland put Alabama roofs under constant stress. Many Alabama policies also carry a separate hurricane deductible, according to the Insurance Information Institute, so a storm can cost you more out of pocket than a normal claim.

Alabama has studied what stronger roofs do. ALDOI’s study of Hurricane Sally (summarized by Brookings, May 2025) found claims on FORTIFIED homes were 20% to 40% lower than on comparable homes, and estimated damage would have been about 75% lower if every home had been built to a FORTIFIED standard.

Strengthen Alabama Homes grants

FORTIFIED is a roofing standard from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). It goes beyond normal building code, with better-attached roof decking, a sealed deck, and stronger edges. Strengthen Alabama Homes, run by ALDOI, helps pay for it.

Grant amount: up to $10,000. If the contractor’s bid is higher, you pay the difference.
The goal: your home must reach the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof or FORTIFIED Silver level. A certified FORTIFIED evaluator checks the home before and after the work.
Who qualifies: owners of a single-family, owner-occupied home (not a condo or mobile home) in a county where grants are being approved. The home must be in good repair unless it was damaged by wind or hail.
Insurance you need: an in-force policy that includes wind coverage, plus flood insurance if the home is in a special flood hazard area.
How grants are awarded: first-come, first-served for eligible applicants.
Up front: Brookings notes that applicants first pay for the roof evaluation, and the grant is paid after the work passes a final check.

The program is funded by Alabama’s insurance industry, not the state budget. According to Brookings, it has issued more than $86 million in grants for more than 8,700 homes since 2016. Alabama also offers a state income tax credit of up to $3,000 for mitigation work, according to the NAIC. Ask a tax preparer whether you qualify. Current rules and application dates are at strengthenalabamahomes.com.

Required FORTIFIED discounts

Alabama law (Sections 27-31D-1 to 27-31D-5 of the Alabama Code) requires all property insurers to include FORTIFIED premium discounts in their rates. The discounts apply to the wind part of your premium. ALDOI says they are mandatory for property in Baldwin and Mobile counties. ALDOI’s 2014 handout listed these discounts:

Designation	Existing home, roof over 5 years old	Existing or new home, roof 5 years old or newer
FORTIFIED Gold	40%	50%
FORTIFIED Silver	35%	45%
FORTIFIED Bronze	20%	35%
Built to the 2006 building code or later	10%	20%

These figures come from a 2013 ALDOI bulletin and may have been updated since. Ask your insurer for its current FORTIFIED discount in writing before you choose a roof. See whether a new roof lowers your insurance for the questions to ask.

If you lose your coverage

Start shopping right away. An independent agent can check several insurers. Bring your roof’s age, photos, and any roof certification.
Ask about actual cash value (ACV) roof coverage. Some insurers accept an older roof if roof damage is paid at a depreciated value. See how ACV roof coverage works.
On the coast, ask about the Beach Plan. The Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association (AIUA), known as the Beach Plan, offers fire and extended coverage and a wind and hail only policy. The wind and hail policy covers property in the Beach, Seacoast, and Gulf Front areas of Baldwin and Mobile counties. FORTIFIED homes can earn discounts there too.
Never let your old policy lapse before the new one starts, especially if you have a mortgage.

Where to get help in Alabama

Alabama Department of Insurance: aldoi.gov, for questions about notices, discounts, and complaints.
Strengthen Alabama Homes: strengthenalabamahomes.com, for grant rules, eligible counties, and application dates.
An independent insurance agent who works with several companies.

Good to know

Before you sign a roofing contract in Alabama, ask the roofer whether they are a certified FORTIFIED roofing provider. A regular new roof may satisfy your insurer, but the largest required wind discounts go to homes that earn a FORTIFIED designation.

Want a local roofer to take a look?

A local roofer can check your roof and tell you whether a repair, a roof certification, or a replacement makes sense. Free, with no obligation.

Talk to someone about my roof

Independent consumer education. We may earn a fee or commission when you contact a partner or buy through links on this site, at no extra cost to you.

Common questions

Does Alabama ban non-renewals because of roof age?

We did not find an Alabama law that bans non-renewals based on roof age. If you believe your notice is wrong, send your insurer an inspection report and photos, and contact ALDOI.

Can I use a Strengthen Alabama Homes grant if my insurer wants a new roof soon?

Possibly, but grants are first-come, first-served and need a FORTIFIED evaluation before and after the work. Ask your insurer in writing whether a signed grant-funded roof contract buys you more time, and shop for coverage at the same time.

Do FORTIFIED discounts apply outside Baldwin and Mobile counties?

ALDOI says the discounts are mandatory in Baldwin and Mobile counties. Elsewhere, ask your insurer whether it offers a FORTIFIED discount in your area, and get the answer in writing.

Is the Beach Plan a full homeowners policy?

The AIUA offers fire and extended coverage and a separate wind and hail only policy. If you buy the wind and hail only policy, you will still need coverage for other risks. An agent can explain the right mix for your home.

Where to go next

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