To qualify in Texas as "impact resistant roofing" the roofing product must meet Underwriters Laboratory testing requirements under designation UL-2218. Roofing materials successfully tested by Underwriters Laboratory in accordance with UL-2218 are classified as to impact resistance in one of four classes, Class 1 - Class 4. A Class 4 roof covering offers the best hail protection and will receive the highest discounts on insurance premiums.

Even more specifically, the shingles must meet other more specific requirements of the Texas Insurance Department.

All manufacturers of roofing materials eligible for the impact-resistant roofing discount adopted by the Texas Department of Insurance must label their products with the following information:

the proper Underwriter's Laboratories label or label from any other testing lab approved by the Texas Department of Insurance

• the impact-resistance classification (Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4) of the product under U.L. Standard 2218
• the manufacturer's name
• the year manufactured
• the brand name of the roofing product

Types of "impact resistant roofing

All types of "impact resistant" roofing acceptable in Texas are described at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/commish/roofingx.html