#United States #IBHS #Fairhope #FORTIFIED Home #severe weather

Celebrating Resilience: The 10th Annual FORTIFIED Awards

On June 4, 2025, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) hosted its 10th Annual FORTIFIED Awards ceremony in Fairhope, Alabama, applauding 76 standout organizations dedicated to enhancing community resilience against severe weather. These awards acknowledge both service providers and non-profit organizations that have significantly contributed to the FORTIFIED Home™ initiative—a voluntary program designed to reinforce homes and structures against the fury of nature.

FORTIFIED Program Overview

The FORTIFIED initiative is rooted in decades of rigorous research conducted by the IBHS. This program establishes a standard for construction and re-roofing that goes beyond typical building codes, effectively bolstering homes in areas most vulnerable to the impacts of strong winds, heavy rain, hurricanes, and tornadoes. By adhering to FORTIFIED guidelines, over 75,000 homeowners have sought certifications that not only enhance their property’s durability but may also result in insurance incentives and tax credits.

The Award Recipients

During the ceremony, IBHS recognized various organizations based on their successful facilitation of FORTIFIED Home designations.

• - Diamond Volume Award (2,500+ designations):

- Bethel Engineering Inc.

• - Crown Volume Award (1,000 to 2,499 designations):

- D.R. Horton, Inc. – Baldwin County
- Fortified Inspections
- Knockout Home Inspections
- Pilot

• - Crystal Volume Award (500 to 999 designations):

- Arcane Inspection Services
- Disaster Smart Consulting, Inc.
- HDMK Inspection Services – NOLA
- NC Fortified
- Projust Services

• - Spotlight Volume Award for Evaluators (100 to 499 designations) included names such as Accurate Property Inspections, Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and numerous roofing and inspection companies that have contributed to the FORTIFIED mission.

The Impact of FORTIFIED Designations

The FORTIFIED Awards come at a pivotal time, backed by recent research from the Center for Risk and Insurance Research (CRIR) at the University of Alabama. Their study, which examined over 40,000 properties affected by Hurricane Sally, concluded that homes marked with a FORTIFIED designation are 70% less likely to file an insurance claim compared to those constructed to standard regulations. Additionally, the report estimated a remarkable potential for reduced losses: if every home in the affected area had adhered to the FORTIFIED Gold standard, nearly $111 million in damages could have been avoided.

Quotes from Leaders

IBHS President and CEO, Roy Wright, highlighted the ongoing commitment to resilience by stating, "For a decade now, the FORTIFIED Awards have celebrated the individuals and companies who make resilient homes a reality." He emphasized that approximately 2,000 homeowners each month collaborate with committed service providers to bolster the strength of their homes.

Fred Malik, managing director of the FORTIFIED program at IBHS, reiterated the ongoing dedication of award recipients to empower property owners in safeguarding their homes against increasingly severe weather patterns, noting, "These award recipients are empowering property owners to protect their homes and businesses from the growing threat of severe weather."

Conclusion

As communities face escalating weather threats, initiatives like the FORTIFIED program represent essential steps toward building a resilient future. The steadfast commitment of organizations recognized at the FORTIFIED Awards exemplifies the innovation and dedication required to ensure safety and security in the face of nature’s unpredictability.

For more information about the IBHS and FORTIFIED program, visit ibhs.org and fortifiedhome.org.