The Georgia Storm Damage Mitigation Program is a statewide initiative designed to encourage property owners to strengthen their homes against storm damage. It was established under the Georgia Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act (HB 1344).
Georgia HB 1344 is a comprehensive insurance reform law strengthening consumer protections. Reforms include new safeguards on the use of aerial or satellite imagery for policy cancellation or nonrenewal and requirements for insurers to be more timely in claim response, processing, and payment efforts. The bill also allows the Commissioner of Insurance to extend the window homeowners have to file a claim following a catastrophic event.
Georgia’s Storm Damage Mitigation Program explained
The Georgia Storm Damage Mitigation Program is a new program, established under Georgia HB 1344 (the Georgia Affordability and Claims Integrity Act), that was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on May 12, 2026. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
The program is aimed at “reducing the financial impact of property insurance claims… by mitigating losses and lowering repair costs.”
The chief strategy for accomplishing this goal is a new grant program to help Georgia homeowners pay for wind mitigation upgrades that can reduce damage from windstorms, tornadoes, tropical storms, and hurricanes. Eligible upgrades can include roof retrofits, window replacements, and hurricane shutters.
Making these updates may also help you qualify for wind mitigation home insurance discounts and lower your Georgia home insurance costs. Keep in mind that grant funding isn't guaranteed — the program doesn't create an entitlement, and the state isn't obligated to fund every eligible applicant's inspection or retrofit.
The program will be funded through taxes on insurance premiums (what homeowners pay for coverage). However, the insurance commissioner, who’s responsible for administering the program, can seek additional funding from the federal government, private donations, public grants, in-kind gifts, and other relevant sources.
Pro tip: Monitor Georgia.gov and the Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Fire Safety website for the most up-to-date information, including important dates related to the grant application process and other deadlines.
How the new law affects your homeowners insurance in Georgia
HB 1344 could mean big things for your Georgia homeowners insurance policy, including potential discounts, faster claims processing, and more time to take action on a claim.
Grants for wind mitigation efforts
One of the most significant provisions in the bill is the establishment of the Georgia Storm Damage Mitigation program. The bill establishes important details about the grant, such as how you can use funds, if awarded. Options may include:
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Roof deck attachments
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Secondary water barriers
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Roof coverings
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Brace gable ends
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Reinforcement of roof-to-wall connections
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Opening protections
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Exterior doors (including garage doors)
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Tie downs
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Fixing problems associated with weakened trusses, studs, and other structural components
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Inspection and repair or replacement of manufactured home piers, anchors, or tie-down straps
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Any other mitigation techniques recommended by the commissioner or program administrator
Grant amounts and tiers
The bill also establishes various grant amounts and tiers.
|
Award tier / eligible upgrades |
Required mitigation standards |
Maximum grant awards |
|
Resilient mitigation — roof retrofits |
Industry standards (e.g., Georgia Strong Home and IBHS FORTIFIED Roof guidelines) |
Up to $6,000 matching or $7,500 nonmatching |
|
Sustainable mitigation — roof retrofits, window replacements, and opening protection retrofits |
Industry standards (e.g., Georgia Strong Home) |
Up to $4,000 matching or $5,000 nonmatching |
|
Sustainable mitigation — hurricane shuttering and protective barrier systems |
Industry standards (e.g., Georgia Strong Home) |
Up to $4,000 matching or nonmatching |
Matching grants require you to contribute your own funds alongside the state's award, while nonmatching grants don't — but nonmatching grant amounts are based partly on income. Homeowners at or below their county's median household income may qualify for the maximum nonmatching award, while higher-income applicants may receive a smaller amount.
These upgrades can help reduce damage from windstorms and may also qualify you for discounted insurance rates, depending on your insurer and the type of mitigation completed.
New notice requirements for aerial and satellite imagery underwriting
HB 1344 also adds safeguards for how insurers can use drone, aerial, or satellite imagery when deciding to cancel or nonrenew an existing policy. Specifically, insurers must:
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Provide access to date-stamped copies of images captured within the last 12 months leading to the decision.
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Establish a clear appeals process to correct any errors and provide a clear point of contact for homeowners.
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Provide notice and an opportunity to address the issues identified, as well as a description of the specific standards that the repair must adhere to, and allow 60 days to take action.
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Offer a renewal or rescind the cancellation if the homeowner provides proof that issues were successfully resolved.
Faster claims processing after a catastrophic event
The new law also aims to improve the claims experience following hurricanes, tornadoes, and other catastrophic events. Specifically, the Commissioner of Insurance can extend the deadline for homeowners to submit insurance claims after a declared catastrophe, recognizing that widespread damage can make it difficult to assess losses or begin the claims process promptly.
At the same time, the bill requires insurers to process claims faster. Under the law, insurers must:
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Acknowledge the claim and send you the necessary claim forms within 15 days of receiving it
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Approve or deny the claim within 60 days of receiving your completed proof of loss
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Pay out claims within 10 days once the amount is finalized
These timelines apply once the commissioner issues a directive requiring compliance following a specific catastrophic event.
Separately, HB 1344 also gives homeowners more time to take legal action over a covered loss. Starting July 1, 2027, home insurance policies in Georgia must allow at least two years from the date of loss to file a lawsuit over a property claim — a longer window than many policies previously allowed.
Who can apply for storm damage mitigation grants?
According to the bill, you will only be eligible to submit an application for the Storm Damage Mitigation Program if all of the following apply:
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You have a single-family home or a site-built, manufactured, or modular home.
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Your home is owner-occupied and serves as your legal residence.
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Your home is covered by a valid home insurance policy that provides coverage equal to or greater than the fair market value of the property and has undergone an accepted hurricane mitigation inspection and wind certification.
Other Georgia disaster-mitigation and relief resources for homeowners
The Georgia Storm Damage Mitigation Program isn’t your only resource as a Georgia homeowner. Here are some other programs that may be worth looking into:
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Georgia catastrophe savings account tax deduction: In Georgia, you can open a catastrophe savings account to set aside money for home insurance deductibles and certain disaster recovery expenses. You can deduct contributions of up to $25,000 from your state taxes, and any growth in the account is tax-free at the state level.
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FEMA Individual Assistance and small business disaster loans: Following a presidential disaster declaration, you might qualify for FEMA Individual Assistance grants and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help repair or rebuild your home. Although these loans come from the SBA, they aren’t limited to businesses; homeowners and renters can also apply to cover repair costs and damaged personal belongings.
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Georgia Underwriting Association: If you live in a high-risk area (such as the Gulf Coast) and can’t get approved for homeowners insurance through the standard market, you can turn to the Georgia Underwriting Association (GUA). The GUA operates Georgia’s FAIR Plan and serves as the insurer of last resort when you can’t get coverage elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
What is a mitigation program?
A mitigation program helps reduce the impact of future natural disasters by funding or supporting projects that make homes, buildings, and communities more resilient. These programs typically help with upgrades like storm-resistant roofing, flood protection, and other improvements that reduce the risk of damage before a major storm occurs.
What is the disaster savings program in Georgia?
Georgia’s catastrophe savings account program allows you to set aside money for insurance deductibles — including high wind/hail deductibles, which are common in Georgia. You can deduct up to $25,000 in contributions to this account on your state taxes each year. Any growth in these interest-bearing accounts is also exempt from state taxes. This is an established program unrelated to the newly established Georgia Storm Damage Mitigation Program, which focuses on grants for home hardening projects.
Am I eligible for disaster relief in Georgia?
Eligibility for disaster relief in Georgia depends on the specific program and your circumstances. Federal assistance, disaster loans, and state programs may have different requirements, and many forms of aid require a federal or state disaster declaration. Check with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency or the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the latest eligibility information.
What counties in Georgia were declared disaster areas for Helene?
A large number of Georgia counties, including Fulton, Chatham, Richmond, Columbia, and Lowndes Counties, were declared disaster areas following Hurricane Helene and became eligible for either individual or public assistance. You can view the most up-to-date list on the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency website.
