Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Seeks Discounts for Fortified Roofs

New benchmarks aim to incentivize homeowners to install hurricane-resistant roofs

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is working with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to establish targeted discount rates for homeowners who install fortified roofs. The benchmarks will set minimum discounts that insurance providers must offer, unless they can provide evidence that the discounts would be financially impossible or harmful to the company. The goal is to incentivize more homeowners to install hurricane-resistant roofs to lower property insurance costs in the state.

Why it matters

Louisiana is highly vulnerable to hurricanes, and the state has been working to promote the installation of fortified roofs to better protect homes. Establishing discount benchmarks is intended to make these sturdier roofs more affordable for homeowners, which could in turn help keep property insurance costs down across the state.

The details

Commissioner Temple said the department is still determining the exact discount target, with initial studies to be completed by the end of this week. The rule will serve as a benchmark that insurers can avoid through actuarial justification, but it is not a mandate. If a company fails to meet the benchmark rates, the insurance department will require it to revise the rates or provide justification for lower discounts. Louisiana has a grant program that provides $10,000 to homeowners to help cover the extra costs of fortified roofs.

  • The Louisiana Legislature doubled the state's annual investment in the fortified roof program from $15 million to $30 million in 2023.
  • Since the launch of Louisiana's fortified roof program in 2021, more than 4,100 residents have installed certified roofs using the state's $10,000 grants, and another 7,000 fortified roofs have been installed outside of the lottery system.

The players

Tim Temple

The Louisiana Insurance Commissioner who is working to establish targeted discount rates for homeowners who install fortified roofs.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners

The organization that Commissioner Temple is collaborating with to set the new discount benchmarks.

Phillip DeVillier

The Louisiana House Speaker who said the Legislature's decision to double funding for the fortified roof program will help lower property insurance costs.

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What they’re saying

“The rule will work as a benchmark that can be avoided through actuarial justification, but it is not a mandate.”

— Tim Temple, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner (stmarynow.com)

“I think the best thing that we can do – and continue to move – when it comes to property insurance is push really hard on the fortified roof program.”

— Phillip DeVillier, Louisiana House Speaker (Baton Rouge Press Club)

What’s next

The Insurance Department will finalize the discount benchmarks based on the initial studies, which are expected to be completed by the end of this week.

The takeaway

Establishing minimum discount rates for fortified roofs is a key step in incentivizing more Louisiana homeowners to install hurricane-resistant roofing, which could help lower property insurance costs across the state and make homes more resilient to extreme weather events.