Short answer: Class 4 is the top UL 2218 impact rating and can improve odds against common Front Range hail sizes, but it is not hail-proof. Some Colorado insurers offer premium discounts if the product and paperwork qualify — confirm with your carrier in writing. Upstream documents materials honestly; we never promise a discount.
Class 4 impact-resistant shingles show up in almost every Colorado roofing conversation after hail season. Some of what you hear is true. Some is sales theater. Here's the facts-only version.
What Class 4 Actually Means
Class 4 is the highest rating in the UL 2218 impact test — roughly a 2-inch steel ball dropped twice from 20 feet without cracking the sample. Against the 1–2 inch hail the Front Range sees most often, Class 4 products generally hold up better than standard architectural shingles. That is real.
What It Does Not Mean
- Not hail-proof — large stones can damage any roof ever made
- Not a guarantee you will never file a claim again
- Not a free roof from your insurance company
Our Storm Almanac includes NOAA-recorded stones well past Class 4's test size. Anyone who promises a roof that "can't be hail-damaged" is selling fantasy.
Insurance Discounts — Your Carrier Decides
Some Colorado insurers offer a premium discount for impact-resistant roofs. The discount is the carrier's program, not the contractor's gift. Before you buy for the discount alone: call your insurer, get the discount confirmed in writing, and make sure the Class 4 rating appears on your invoice and product docs so you can prove it later.
When We Recommend Class 4
When you're already doing a full replacement in hail country and the product fits the home and budget, Class 4 is often the smarter long-term material choice — better odds, fewer early replacements — not because of a magic guarantee. Deeper product notes: Class 4 impact-resistant shingles in Colorado.
Want an honest material conversation on a free inspection? Contact us or call (720) 544-3645.