Wind Mitigation Inspections in Florida: What Homeowners Need to Know
A wind mitigation inspection can save Florida homeowners hundreds of dollars per year on insurance premiums. Here is everything you need to know about the process.
What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
A wind mitigation inspection is an assessment of your home's ability to withstand hurricane-force winds. The inspection documents specific features of your roof and home construction that reduce the risk of wind damage, and the results are submitted to your insurance company to qualify for premium discounts.
Florida law requires insurance companies to offer discounts for homes with documented wind mitigation features. These discounts can be substantial — in some cases reducing your annual premium by 20 to 40 percent or more.
What Is Inspected During a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
The inspection follows a standardized form developed by the Florida Department of Financial Services. Key items include: roof covering type and installation method, roof deck attachment (how the plywood is fastened to the rafters), roof-to-wall connection type (toe nails, clips, single wraps, double wraps, or structural connections), roof shape (hip roofs perform better than gable roofs in high winds), and opening protection (hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows and doors).
Each of these features is rated on a scale, and the combination of ratings determines the discount you qualify for. A home with a hip roof, double-wrap hurricane straps, and a properly installed high-wind-rated roof covering can qualify for the maximum discount.
How Much Can You Save?
The savings vary significantly based on your home's features, your insurance company, and your current premium. However, Florida homeowners commonly see annual savings of $200 to $1,000 or more from wind mitigation discounts.
The inspection itself typically costs $75 to $150 and is valid for five years. Given the potential annual savings, the inspection often pays for itself many times over.
How to Improve Your Wind Mitigation Rating
If your current inspection shows areas where your home does not qualify for maximum discounts, there are improvements that can increase your rating. Upgrading to a high-wind-rated roofing system, improving roof deck attachment, and adding hurricane straps are common improvements.
Alron Construction provides wind mitigation inspections and can recommend specific improvements that will maximize your insurance discounts while strengthening your home's hurricane resistance.
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