North Carolina officials announced an expansion of efforts to protect coastal homes from hurricane damage, unveiling a $20 million grant program that will help residents install storm-resistant roofing systems.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey joined Sunset Beach Mayor Shannon Phillips and North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA) CEO Gina Hardy to launch the 2025 Strengthen Your Coastal Roof program at a Sunset Beach home featuring a FORTIFIED Roof system.

The program offers $6,000 grants to eligible NCIUA policyholders for upgrading to IBHS FORTIFIED Roofs, which include enhanced wind and water protections through stronger roof deck attachment, sealed roof decks, and secured edges. Each installation undergoes independent third-party verification to ensure compliance with Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety standards.

Research from North Carolina State University's Institute for Advanced Analytics demonstrates the effectiveness of these upgrades. Homes with FORTIFIED Roofs experienced 35% fewer claims after Hurricanes Matthew, Florence, Dorian, and Isaias. When claims were filed, the damage was 23% less severe. The roofs also showed a 63% reduction in claims from non-named storms compared to standard roofing.

"Installing an IBHS FORTIFIED Roof not only strengthens your home against severe weather but also provides policyholders with valuable insurance credits that reduce their premiums," Causey said.

This initiative builds on NCIUA's existing $20 million Strengthen Your Roof program launched in May for the Outer Banks and Barrier Islands. The new program extends coverage to 18 additional coastal counties, including Brunswick, New Hanover, Carteret, and Onslow.

Grants will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible policyholders in the designated coastal counties. NCIUA also offers a no-cost Stronger Roof Endorsement providing up to $5,000 in additional coverage for FORTIFIED Roof upgrades when roofs require replacement due to covered damage.

Since adopting the FORTIFIED standard in 2016, NCIUA has helped more than 18,000 policyholders obtain reinforced roofing, representing over $120 million invested in coastal home protection.