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Class 4 Impact-Resistant Shingles in DFW: Insurance Discount + Hail Protection

Class 4 impact-resistant shingles carry the highest UL 2218 rating available on an asphalt product and earn a 15 to 35 percent discount on the wind and hail portion of most Texas homeowner policies. JRH Construction installs GAF Timberline AS II, CertainTeed Landmark IR, and Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Storm across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. GAF Master Elite. Owens Corning Platinum Preferred. BBB A+. SAM.gov registered. 600+ projects. Updated April 2026.

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UL 2218 Impact Class Comparison

The UL 2218 standard drops a polished steel ball from a fixed height onto a shingle sample. The highest class the product passes without mat cracking becomes the impact rating.

ClassSteel Ball / HailDrop HeightTypical TX DiscountNotes
Class 11.25" steel ball / ~1" hail12 ftNoneEntry-level, rarely specified for Texas.
Class 21.5" steel ball / ~1.25" hail15 ftNone to 5%Uncommon in current product lines.
Class 31.75" steel ball / ~1.5" hail17 ft5-15%Standard "impact-resistant" upgrade.
Class 42" steel ball / ~1.75" hail20 ft15-35%Highest UL 2218 rating. Biggest insurance discount. JRH recommended for DFW hail corridor.

FM Approvals 4473 is a parallel standard using actual ice-ball impacts at ballistic velocities. A Class 4 UL 2218 shingle typically also carries an FM 4473 rating; both are accepted by Texas carriers.

How Texas Insurers Apply the Class 4 Discount

Every major carrier writing homeowner policies in Texas differentiates the windstorm and hail premium line, then applies a discount when the roof is documented Class 4 UL 2218. Typical ranges by carrier (confirm exact figures with your agent):

  • State Farm: 15-30% on wind/hail portion.
  • Allstate: 20-35% on wind/hail portion.
  • Farmers: 15-25%.
  • USAA: 20-35% (military households).
  • Texas Farm Bureau: 15-28%.
  • Liberty Mutual: 15-25%.

The discount applies to the wind/hail premium, not the total policy. On a typical $2,400 annual DFW homeowner policy with $1,800 attributable to wind/hail, a 25 percent discount returns $450 per year. Over a 25-year Class 4 roof life, that equals $11,250 in premium savings.

Recommended Class 4 Products

JRH installs only manufacturer-certified Class 4 products with full UL 2218 Class 4 test documentation.

GAF
GAF Timberline AS II

SBS-modified asphalt, Class 4 UL 2218 impact rating, Lifetime limited warranty when installed by a GAF Master Elite contractor (JRH qualifies).

CertainTeed
CertainTeed Landmark IR

Fiberglass mat with polymer reinforcement, Class 4 UL 2218. Dual-layer construction for puncture resistance. Lifetime limited warranty.

Owens Corning
Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Storm

SureNail technology plus Class 4 UL 2218 rating. Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractors (JRH qualifies) can extend warranties.

DaVinci Roofscapes
DaVinci Roofscapes Bellaforte Shake

Polymer synthetic shake profile. Class 4 UL 2218 rating. 50-year warranty. Weight under 280 lb per square (no structural reinforcement required).

How to Get the Discount: Process

  1. 1.Install Class 4 UL 2218 shingles. JRH provides a Certificate of Installation identifying the exact product, UL 2218 Class 4 rating, and installation date.
  2. 2.Submit to your insurer. Email or fax the Certificate and a photo of the shingle wrapper to your agent. Many carriers accept a manufacturer spec sheet.
  3. 3.Carrier adds the policy rider. The discount appears on the next renewal declarations page or, for some carriers, is credited retroactively to the installation date.
  4. 4.Keep documentation for claim events. If a later hail claim arises, the Class 4 designation also protects against cosmetic damage exclusions that some Texas policies carry.

Related Reading

Class 4 Shingle FAQs

What is a Class 4 impact-resistant shingle?+
A Class 4 impact-resistant shingle is tested to the UL 2218 standard and survives a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet without cracking the mat. Class 4 is the highest impact rating under UL 2218. FM Approvals uses a parallel standard (FM 4473) that tests with actual ice ball impacts at specified velocities.
How much insurance discount do Class 4 shingles earn in Texas?+
Most major Texas carriers (State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, USAA, Texas Farm Bureau, Liberty Mutual) offer a 15 percent to 35 percent discount on the windstorm and hail portion of the homeowner premium when the roof is documented Class 4. The discount applies on every renewal for the life of the roof. Exact percentages are set by carrier and policy form.
How do I claim the Class 4 discount from my insurer?+
Your contractor provides a Certificate of Installation or a manufacturer shingle wrapper with the UL 2218 Class 4 designation. Submit that document to your agent or carrier. The discount is applied as a policy rider and shows on the next declarations page or renewal.
Are Class 4 shingles worth the extra cost in DFW?+
In the DFW hail corridor, yes. Class 4 shingles typically cost $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot more than standard architectural shingles, roughly $3,750 to $6,250 on a 2,500 square foot roof. The 15 to 35 percent annual insurance discount usually repays that upgrade in 3 to 6 years, then continues returning savings for the roof life (30 years for premium products).
Do Class 4 shingles really stop hail damage?+
They reduce visible damage and functional granule loss. Class 4 is not hail-proof. Extreme events (tennis-ball or larger hail) can still bruise or crack a Class 4 mat. The rating is tested against 2-inch steel ball impact, which correlates to roughly 1.75 inch hail. Larger events still produce claims.
What is the difference between Class 3 and Class 4?+
Class 3 survives a 1.75-inch steel ball from 20 feet. Class 4 survives a 2-inch steel ball from the same height. Class 4 carries the higher insurance discount in every Texas policy form that differentiates. For the full comparison, see our Class 3 vs Class 4 breakdown.
Can I upgrade to Class 4 on an insurance claim replacement?+
Often yes. The insurer pays for like-kind-and-quality replacement (usually Class 3 or lower). You pay the upcharge between the carrier-approved scope and the Class 4 upgrade. Many DFW homeowners fund the upgrade through the reduced premium over the subsequent 3 to 6 years.
How long do Class 4 shingles last in Texas?+
Quality Class 4 architectural shingles installed correctly last 22 to 30 years in DFW. The mat polymer and the UV-stabilized granules extend the functional life 3 to 5 years over standard architectural shingles in equivalent conditions.

Ready to Upgrade to Class 4?

Free quote with manufacturer spec comparison and insurance-discount worksheet.

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