Preventing Storm Damage to Roofs

In 2024, roof-related losses made up more than a quarter of all residential claims, according to Verisk. Roof repair and replacement costs continue to rise, totaling nearly $31 billion last year, an increase of 30% since 2022.

To help mitigate storm damage to roofs, SageSure offers LiftLock’s Wind Defense program, a complimentary debris removal and shingle securing service that helps prepare roofs for incoming storms.

Policyholders with SageSure can sign up for the chance to receive the free service, and properties in the path of hurricanes will be prioritized to get roof and gutter debris removed and loose shingles secured before high winds arrive.  Read on to learn more about the science behind the Wind Defense program, a real-life success story from Hurricane Milton, and how policyholders can enroll for the chance to participate.   

WHY IT WORKS: THE SCIENCE BEHIND WIND DEFENSE

Extra precautions can make a big difference in how well a roof withstands strong winds and heavy rainfall. Debris in gutters, debris on roofs, and loose shingles can lead to significant roof damage during storms. The Wind Defense program is designed to help prevent some of the common causes of storm-driven roof damage.

Gutter Debris

When gutters are full of debris, they are not able to fulfill their primary function to collect and redirect rainwater away from the roof, walls, and foundation. That’s why preventing backed up gutters is so important: when they overflow, water can pool on the roof and enter the home.  

Roof Debris

Leaves, twigs, and other debris often accumulate in roof valleys and trap moisture against the roof. Over time, this moisture can weaken and deteriorate roofing materials, and as more water accumulates, the risk of leaks also increases.  

Loose Shingles

Securely bonded shingles are the single most important element of a roof’s wind resistance. Modern asphalt shingles are manufactured with an adhesive strip designed to bond them to the layer beneath. Over time, exposure to heat, UV rays, and wind can weaken this bond, making shingles more susceptible to lifting or detaching during storms. Even one loose shingle can lead to significant roof damage during high winds. LiftLock’s Wind Defense team found 600 unsealed shingles on average for a 2,000 square foot roof—that’s 600 opportunities for roof cover loss and water damage.

How Does Wind Defense Work
Policyholders selected to receive the free Wind Defense services will be contacted by LiftLock to arrange the visit. When they arrive, a trained technician will walk the perimeter of the roof and use a leaf blower to remove debris from gutters and the roof and to identify any loose shingles. Shingles that lift from the air of the leaf blower are marked with chalk that washes away. The shingles are then secured using a sealant that ensures a strong bond so shingles lie flat to keep wind and rain out.

REAL WORLD IMPACT: HOW RESEALED SHINGLES PERFORMED DURING HURRICANE MILTON

Knowing that weather events cause 90% of roof damage claims, Hurricane Milton was one opportunity to see how newly secured shingles would fare against high winds. 

Two days before Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s west coast as a Category 3 storm, LiftLock’s Wind Defense team was deployed. In total, they resealed 60 roofs for SageSure policyholders in Parrish, Florida, less than 48 hours prior to landfall. Of the resealed roofs, only four had a paid claim resulting from damage from the storm. The image below demonstrates the effectiveness of the program. LiftLock’s evaluation revealed had 90% of the policyholder’s 11-year-old architectural shingles were unsealed, and because of the program, LiftLock was able to secure the shingles with sealant before the storm.  

When Milton struck Parrish, wind speeds reached 90–100 mph at their peak. The policyholder with resealed shingles had only minor roof damage, and the claim was closed below the deductible. All surrounding roofs of similar age showed signs of extensive shingle loss that likely required a roof replacement.  

HOW POLICYHOLDERS CAN GET INVOLVED

Inviting policyholders to apply to be selected for the Wind Defense program is easy. In Agent Portal, after the mortgage and billing section of the quote, you can send an automatic invitation that will prompt customers to sign up. Selection will still be determined based on the home’s proximity to the path of the storm, service availability, and other factors. 

If you’re a SageSure policyholder and want to learn if you qualify for the Wind Defense program, reach out to your insurance representative or log into your MySageSure.com account and sign up today.