A wind mitigation inspection documents the features of your home that resist hurricane wind. Florida law requires insurers to offer discounts for those features, so a current report can lower the windstorm portion of your homeowners premium. For many older homes it is the single biggest discount available.
What the inspector checks
The inspection uses the state's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802). The inspector records:
- Roof covering: whether it meets the Florida Building Code and when it was installed.
- Roof deck attachment: how the plywood is nailed to the trusses.
- Roof-to-wall attachment: toe nails, clips, single wraps or double wraps.
- Roof shape: hip roofs perform better than gable roofs.
- Secondary water resistance: a sealed roof deck that keeps water out if shingles blow off.
- Opening protection: impact windows, doors and shutters on every opening, including the garage.
Who can do it and how long it lasts
Licensed home inspectors, general contractors, building code inspectors, engineers and architects can complete the form. A report is generally accepted for five years, as long as the home hasn't changed.
How to use it
Send us the report and photos. We apply it with your current carrier and use it when we shop, because carriers price each feature differently. If you replace the roof or add impact windows, get a new inspection; the savings often show up at the next renewal.
Try our wind mitigation checklist to see which features your home may already have.
This article is general information, not advice about your specific policy. Coverage, eligibility and discounts depend on your carrier's filed rates and policy language. Talk with a licensed agent about your situation.