Homebuilders in South Carolina may be eligible for insurance discounts if construction of their homes adheres to fortified construction techniques.

The Institute for Business and Home Safety, a national nonprofit group backed by the insurance industry, recently introduced a home-designation program called “Fortified … for safer living.” IBHS recommends that damage-prone areas, such as window openings, be reinforced with heavy-duty frames and vinyl-coated glass, and stronger connections be made between the roof, walls, and foundation by using insulated concrete. These techniques and materials have a higher disaster-resistance level than homes built following existing code, which enables them to better sustain the impact of hurricanes and other disasters.

Using the Fortified guidelines reportedly adds up to 10 percent to the cost of construction. However, some insurance companies are giving discounts for the increased disaster resistance. South Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance, one of the largest domestic property and casualty insurers in the state, offers a five percent discount on a homeowner's policy if the home is fortified, according to Susan Merrill, a spokeswoman for the company.