Quick answer: In many cases, yes. Many Colorado insurers give a premium credit for roofs rated Class 4 under the UL 2218 impact test, and carriers commonly file discounts somewhere in the range of 5% to 30%. Excel Roofing says, "The amount depends on the insurance company, the policy, and the home, and most carriers only apply the credit when the homeowner asks for it and provides proof of the Class 4 rating."
Colorado homeowners have good reason to ask. Hail is the top claim insurers pay in the state, and the Colorado Division of Insurance has reported that hail accounts for as much as 54% of annual homeowners insurance costs. A roof that holds up to hail is one of the few things a homeowner controls that directly affects that cost.
What Does "Class 4" Actually Mean?
Class 4 is the highest rating in UL 2218, the standard impact test for roofing materials. In the test, steel balls are dropped onto the roofing product, striking the same spot twice. The rating depends on the largest ball the product survives without cracking or tearing:
| Rating | Steel ball diameter | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 1.25 inches | Minimum impact resistance |
| Class 2 | 1.5 inches | Moderate impact resistance |
| Class 3 | 1.75 inches | Good impact resistance |
| Class 4 | 2 inches | Highest UL 2218 rating |
Standard asphalt shingles generally do not carry an impact rating. Class 4 products include impact-resistant (often SBS-modified) asphalt shingles, stone-coated steel, many standing seam metal systems, and some synthetic and concrete tile products.
How Much Can a Class 4 Roof Save on Insurance?
There is no single statewide discount. Published estimates for Colorado range widely, and the honest answer is that each carrier sets its own credit. Industry sources commonly cite filed discounts between roughly 5% and 30% for UL 2218 Class 4 roofing.
Here is what those percentages look like on a sample annual premium of $3,000:
| Discount | Annual savings on a $3,000 premium | Savings over 20 years |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $300 | $6,000 |
| 20% | $600 | $12,000 |
| 30% | $900 | $18,000 |
These are illustrations, not quotes. Premiums change, and a discount applies to the premium in effect each year. The point is that a credit of even a few hundred dollars a year adds up over the life of a roof.
How Colorado Homeowners Get the Discount
Most Colorado carriers do not apply an impact-resistance credit automatically. Homeowners usually need to request it and send documentation. The steps that typically work:
- Call the insurance agent before choosing a material. Ask whether the carrier offers a Class 4 credit, how large it is, and what documentation it requires.
- Get the product name on the contract and invoice. The paperwork should list the exact shingle or panel product and state that it is UL 2218 Class 4 rated.
- Keep the manufacturer's certification. Some carriers ask for the product's Class 4 certificate or a contractor certification letter.
- Keep the permit and final inspection records. These show the roof was installed and approved.
- Send everything to the carrier after installation and confirm the credit appears on the next declarations page.
Colorado Laws That Affect Hail-Resistant Roofs in 2026
Strengthen Colorado Homes grants (SB26-155)
In 2026, Colorado created the Strengthen Colorado Homes Enterprise inside the Division of Insurance to run a grant program that helps homeowners install roofs built to resist wind and hail. The program is funded by a fee on property insurers. Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway has estimated grants could be in the neighborhood of $7,500 to $10,000, though final amounts have not been set.
The program's board is expected to be in place by the end of 2026, so grants are unlikely to start before 2027. The law tells the board to prioritize primary residences and to consider household income, roof age, home size, and whether the home is in an area historically hit by severe weather. Qualifying roofs are expected to meet a verifiable standard such as the IBHS FORTIFIED program. Excel Roofing covers the details in its guide to Colorado's hail-resistant roof grant law.
Mitigation discount and risk-score notices
A separate Colorado law passed in 2025 requires property insurers to account for mitigation, such as Class A fire-rated roofing, in how they rate homes, and to tell policyholders about available mitigation discounts. That law is focused mainly on wildfire. It is still relevant here, because most Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are also Class A fire rated, so one roof can address both hail and wildfire risk.
Does a Class 4 Roof Mean the Roof Is Hail-Proof?
No. Class 4 means the product passed a 2-inch steel ball test in a lab. Colorado regularly sees hail larger than 2 inches, and an older roof that has weathered for years will not perform like a new one. Class 4 roofs are far more likely to survive common hailstorms, but they can still be damaged.
Homeowners should also read the policy for a cosmetic damage exclusion. Some carriers that give a Class 4 credit also exclude damage that changes the roof's appearance without affecting its function, such as dents in metal. A bigger premium credit paired with a cosmetic exclusion can still be a good deal, but it should be a known trade-off.
Is the Upgrade Worth It?
For most Front Range homeowners who are already replacing a roof, the upgrade to Class 4 is one of the easiest financial decisions in the project. The added cost over a standard roof is often a few thousand dollars on a typical home, while the insurance credit, the lower chance of a hail claim, and the lower chance of paying another deductible keep paying back every year the homeowner stays in the house.
Excel Roofing's quotes are built in tiers for this reason. Class 3 asphalt shingles are the good option, Class 4 asphalt shingles or stone-coated steel are the better option, and stone-coated steel, synthetic polymer, or standing seam metal are the best option for homeowners who want the most protection. At Excel Roofing's published 2026 Denver metro pricing, a Class 4 asphalt shingle such as Owens Corning Duration Storm IR runs $7 to $8 per square foot installed ($700 to $800 per roofing square). Homeowners weighing a bigger upgrade can read Excel Roofing's guide to whether stone-coated steel is worth it in Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Colorado insurance companies give a discount for Class 4 shingles?
No. Many do, but discounts are set by each carrier and vary widely. Homeowners should ask their agent directly before choosing a roofing material.
How much is the Class 4 roof discount in Colorado?
Carriers commonly file discounts between roughly 5% and 30% of the premium, depending on the company and policy. The exact credit comes from the insurer.
Is the discount applied automatically?
Usually not. Most carriers require the homeowner to request the credit and provide proof of the UL 2218 Class 4 rating, such as the invoice and manufacturer certification.
When will Strengthen Colorado Homes grants be available?
The program's board is expected to be in place by the end of 2026, so grants are unlikely to start before 2027. Grant amounts have not been finalized.
Are Class 4 shingles also fire rated?
Most Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are also Class A fire rated, which is the highest fire rating for roof coverings.
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Talk to Excel Roofing About a Class 4 Roof
Excel Roofing has replaced roofs across Colorado and Wyoming since 1993, with over 55,000 completed projects and a 4.9-star rating across more than 600 Google reviews. As an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor and the 2026 BBB Torch Award for Ethics winner (Large Business, Colorado), Excel Roofing quotes Class 3 and Class 4 options side by side so homeowners can compare the upfront cost against the insurance credit. Call (303) 761-6400 or use the online scheduler to book a free inspection. And with Excel Roofing, You Don't Pay A Cent Until You're Content.
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Sources
- Colorado Division of Insurance figures on hail and premiums, as reported by PropertyCasualty360 (May 2026)
- The Colorado Sun, "Colorado homeowners insurance discounts, mitigation and hail" (July 2026)
- Colorado General Assembly, SB26-155 bill text
- Colorado Municipal League, "Wildfire and impact-resistant roofing ordinances" (September 2026)
- UL 2218, Standard for Impact Resistance of Prepared Roof Covering Materials
