A Clear, Architectural Explanation of Insurance Behavior, Risk Classes & What Homeowners Should Expect

For premium homeowners in Georgia, a roof is not merely a structural element. It is an insurance position.
Carriers assess roofing systems based on wind performance, impact resistance, moisture behavior, fire classification, and historical claims data tied to each material.

This is where cedar has increasingly struggled, asphalt remains inconsistent, and engineered systems like Brava Synthetic Shake have gained significant insurance advantages.

This guide offers a calm, structured look at how synthetic shake performs with Georgia insurers, how premium factors are influenced, how claims are evaluated, and what homeowners should understand before replacing a roof.

1. Why Carriers Penalize Cedar Shake in Georgia

Cedar once carried a premium reputation. Today, in Georgia’s climate, it is considered a high-risk material.

Key Reasons Cedar Is Disfavored by Insurance Carriers

• High moisture absorption leading to rot, mold, and hidden leaks
  
• Rapid degradation in humidity-heavy environments
  
• Wind vulnerability as shakes curl, split, or detach
  
• Susceptibility to insects and woodpecker damage
  
• Inconsistent fire behavior that worsens over time
  
• Shortened lifespan, resulting in more frequent claims
  

Insurance outcome:
Many carriers increase premiums, restrict coverage, or require additional inspections for cedar shake homes.

Synthetic shake removes all of these vulnerabilities from the risk equation.

2. How Brava Synthetic Shake Performs in Insurance Risk Models

Carriers reward roofing systems that exhibit high impact resistance, strong wind performance, and predictable long-term behavior.

Brava Synthetic Shake Advantages Considered by Insurers

• Class 4 impact rating
  
• Tested to resist 188+ mph wind uplift
  
• Completely moisture-inert — no swelling, rot, or decay
  
• Class A or Class C fire rating (assembly dependent)
  
• Stable performance under heat, humidity, and storm cycles
  
• Documented multi-decade lifespan
  

Insurance algorithms favor materials with predictable aging curves. Brava’s stability is precisely what risk models are designed to reward.

3. Real-World Impact on Premiums & Underwriting

While each carrier uses different rating tables, three outcomes appear consistently across Georgia.

Outcome 1: Reduced Long-Term Premium Pressure

Brava roofs often experience slower rate increases due to:

• Fewer storm-related claims
  
• Minimal moisture-related failures
  
• Stronger wind resistance during high-pressure seasons
  

Outcome 2: More Favorable Underwriting Conditions

Premium homes with synthetic shake frequently benefit from:

• Reduced inspection requirements
  
• Streamlined documentation requests
  
• Faster underwriting approvals
  

Outcome 3: Expanded Eligibility

Some insurers restrict policies on older cedar roofs due to elevated risk.
Upgrading to synthetic shake often restores access to mainstream carriers rather than forcing homeowners into high-priced specialty options.

4. How Brava Synthetic Shake Performs in Claims Situations

Georgia adjusters typically evaluate roofing claims using four questions:

1. Was the damage caused by a covered peril?
   
2. Is the roof’s condition consistent with its expected lifespan?
   
3. Does the material carry known vulnerabilities?
   
4. Is the damage sudden, or the result of long-term aging?
   

Where Brava Performs Strongly in Claims

• Class 4 impact rating reduces hail-related disputes
  
• Wind-related failures are far less common
  
• Moisture intrusion is virtually eliminated
  
• Material aging is predictable and easily evaluated by adjusters
  

Why This Matters

Many claim denials occur because carriers conclude the damage resulted from aging, not a storm event.
Brava’s stability reduces the ambiguity that often leads to disputes.

5. How Brava Compares to Asphalt, Cedar & Metal in Insurance Behavior

Compared to Cedar

Brava eliminates:

• Moisture risk
  
• Curling and splitting
  
• Fire unpredictability
  
• Insect and bird damage
  

Carriers consistently view it more favorably.

Compared to Asphalt

• Asphalt bruises easily in hail
  
• Granule loss accelerates aging
  
• UV exposure rapidly degrades asphalt shingles
  

Brava’s dimensional stability and impact performance outperform asphalt in every major insurance category.

Compared to Metal

Metal performs well but presents insurance challenges:

• Prone to cosmetic denting during hail events
  
• Oil-canning and expansion noise often excluded as “cosmetic”
  
• Repairs can be costly
  

Brava offers similar protection with fewer claims disputes and more predictable outcomes.

6. Does Brava Synthetic Shake Qualify for Insurance Discounts?

Georgia does not mandate fixed discounts for impact-rated roofs, but carriers often reward low-risk systems indirectly.

Typical Patterns in Georgia

• Premium influence tends to be indirect rather than formal
  
• Many carriers place Class 4 roofs in more favorable risk categories
  
• Homes with synthetic shake often experience fewer mid-policy premium increases
  

While discounts are not universal, underwriting behavior consistently favors materials like Brava.

7. What Homeowners Should Document for Insurance Purposes

A well-organized documentation package strengthens any future storm claim.

Recommended Documentation

• Installation photographs (underlayment, flashing, starter courses, hips, ridges)
  
• Manufacturer specifications, including wind & impact ratings
  
• Warranty documentation
  
• Contractor certifications
  
• HOA approval letters, if applicable
  

Proper documentation reduces disputes and accelerates approvals.

8. What Insurance Adjusters Look for After Storms

High-Wind Events

• Lifted shakes
  
• Fastener movement
  
• Ridge and hip displacement
  

Hail Events

• Impact marks
  
• Underlayment bruising
  
• Accessory damage (vents, pipe boots, flashing)
  

Heavy Rain or Humidity

Because Brava is moisture-inert, its behavior is predictable, making it easier for adjusters to distinguish sudden storm damage from age-related wear.

9. Should You Choose Brava Synthetic Shake From an Insurance Perspective?

Brava is a strong option if you want:

• Lower long-term insurance risk
  
• Fewer storm-related claims
  
• Predictable, well-documented performance
  
• A moisture-proof alternative to cedar
  
• Reliable stability across coastal, wooded, and inland regions
  
• A material insurers consistently treat more favorably than cedar or asphalt
  

For many homeowners, choosing Brava is as much a risk-management strategy as it is an architectural one.

Schedule a Private Insurance & Architecture Consultation

A private consultation provides:

• Insurance guidance tailored to your ZIP code
  
• Architectural review
  
• HOA considerations
  
• Material and color recommendations
  
• Installation timelines & cost expectations
  
• Assistance organizing documentation for future claims

Schedule Your Private Consultation