If you're roofing in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Arkansas, or Kentucky, hail isn’t a possibility — it’s a guarantee.

The difference isn’t whether storms hit. It’s whether your roofs hold up after they do.

Impact-resistant (IR) shingles give contractors a smarter way to sell: fewer callbacks, stronger performance, and higher-value jobs. With hail activity rising across our region, there’s never been a better time to make them part of your standard pitch.

Here’s a breakdown of the hail risk in our region, the benefits of IR shingles (available at Roofers Mart), and how to discuss insurance savings with homeowners—without overpromising.

Why Hail Damage Is Such a Problem in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Arkansas and Kentucky

Our region sits on the edge of Hail Alley — the corridor from Texas through the Great Plains where severe hailstorms peak from March through June. Contractors see the damage every season, and the numbers back it up.

2025 Hail Activity:

• Illinois: 375 events (national #2)

  

• Missouri: 369 events (#3)
• Arkansas: 167 events (#9)
• Kansas: Payouts doubled to $879M total storm claims
• U.S. total: 5,400+ major hail/wind events
• Estimated $51B insured losses for hail/wind/tornado damage
• A single March 2025 outbreak hit 26 states, causing $8-10B in losses.
• One storm in the Wichita, Kansas area alone caused $383M in damages

The Solution: Impact-Resistant Shingles

Impact-resistant shingles look and install like standard architectural shingles—but they’re engineered to handle hail more effectively.

What makes them different:

• Stronger fiberglass mats that absorb impact instead of cracking or bruising

• Modified asphalt (like SBS polymers) that stays flexible under hail force

• Advanced lamination that distributes impact across the shingle

• Enhanced granule adhesion to reduce surface loss over time

What this means on the job:

Hail damage isn’t always obvious right away. Standard shingles can bruise and weaken beneath the surface, leading to granule loss, cracking, and leaks months later.

IR shingles are designed to hold up better—helping reduce callbacks and giving homeowners roofs that actually perform through repeated storms.

How Impact-Resistant Shingles Are Tested (UL 2218)

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) — the independent, non-profit organization that's been testing product safety since 1894 — created UL 2218, the industry standard for impact-resistance testing, in the early 1990s after billion-dollar hail losses exposed weak shingles nationwide.  In 1998, Texas made UL 2218 mandatory for insurance discounts, sparking adoption across the industry.

Here's how it works:

1. Shingle manufacturers voluntarily submit samples

2. Shingles are installed on a plywood deck (like a real roof)

3. Steel balls are dropped from set heights to simulate hail

4. The same spot is struck twice

5. The shingle is flipped and inspected under magnification for cracks or fractures

Shingles are rated Class 1 through Class 4 based on impact severity:

• Class 1: 1.25" ball from 12 feet (2x)

• Class 2: 1.5" ball from 15 feet (2x)

• Class 3: 1.75" ball from 17 feet (2x)

• Class 4: 2" ball from 20 feet (2x)

Class 4 is the highest UL 2218 rating available, indicating the strongest performance under controlled impact testing.

Impact-Resistant Shingles Available at Roofers Mart

We stock a variety of eight UL 2218-rated impact-resistant shingles across our branch network:

Class 3 — All Locations

• CertainTeed Landmark — Your everyday architectural workhorse

• GAF Timberline HDZ — High-definition look you already install

Class 3 — Select Branches

• CertainTeed Landmark PRO — Heavier-duty Landmark upgrade

• CertainTeed Patriot XL — 42" oversized tabs = faster coverage

Class 4 — Select Branches

• GAF Timberline UHDZ w/ UltraMat — Class 4 + high-definition shadow lines

• CertainTeed Landmark ClimateFlex — Polymer-modified for cold-weather flexibility

• CertainTeed NorthGate ClimateFlex — Premium laminated Class 4

• GAF Timberline AS II — SBS-modified asphalt for severe weather

Class 4 Premium Option — Select Branches

• DaVinci Province Slate — Composite slate look

• DaVinci Select Shake — Synthetic shake with dimensional depth

Talking Insurance With Customers

Insurance carriers prefer Class 3 and Class 4 shingles because they reduce hail claim frequency and severity. When roofs perform better, insurers pay out less — it's that simple.

But those savings don’t always translate directly into homeowner discounts. Premium discounts vary significantly by carrier, policy, and location.

The reality:

• Some carriers offer 10-35% premium credits for qualifying roofs

• Others provide no discount at all, regardless of impact rating

• Eligibility depends on the specific product, policy, and location

• Most require strict documentation and post-install certification

How to handle the conversation:

1. Set expectations early
Advise homeowners to contact their insurance agent before installation to confirm eligibility and approved products.

2. Stick to verified products
Use UL 2218 Class 3 or 4 shingles from trusted distributors like Roofers Mart.

3. Document everything
Submit required certification forms immediately after installation.

4. Watch deadlines
Many carriers require submission within 30 days.

Questions Homeowners Should Ask Their Agent:

• Does my current policy qualify for impact-resistant roofing discounts?

• Which specific shingles qualify (name and manufacturing date)?

• What's the difference in savings between Class 3 and Class 4?

• What documentation is required after installation?

Golden Rule: Position insurance savings as a potential bonus—not the primary reason to upgrade. Homeowners choose roofing systems for protection first. Discounts are just the added upside.

Ready to Sell Smarter This Hail Season?

Contact Roofers Mart today at 888-571-7141 or visit one of our 10 locations. Our team can help you compare impact-rated products, check availability, and price out your next job.

Make this hail season your strongest yet—with roofs that perform and proposals that win.