Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection Worth It in Florida?

Why people ask

Homeowners insurance in Florida is expensive, and the windstorm part of the premium is usually the biggest piece. A wind mitigation inspection documents the features of your home that help it stand up to hurricanes, and Florida law requires insurers to offer discounts for those features.

So the real question is simple: will the discounts be worth more than the cost of the inspection? For a lot of South Florida homes, the answer is yes, and the savings can repeat every year the form is on file.

Homes that usually save the most

Homes with impact windows and doors, or approved shutters on every opening. Opening protection is often where the biggest credit comes from.

Homes with a hip roof. A roof that slopes down on all four sides holds up better in wind than a gable roof.

Homes with roof-to-wall clips or straps. Clips and wraps that tie the roof to the walls usually earn more credit than plain nails.

Homes with a newer roof installed under the current building code, especially with a sealed underlayment, called secondary water resistance.

Newer homes built under the 2001 Florida Building Code or later.

If your home has one or more of these, a wind mitigation inspection is very likely worth it. Ask your insurance agent how much each feature is worth on your policy before you book. They can usually tell you.

When it may not help much

If your home has an older roof, gable ends, no clips and no opening protection, there may be less to document. Even then, the inspection can show you exactly which upgrade would earn you the most credit, which helps if you're planning a new roof or new windows.

Already had one done? How to find it

If the home had a wind mitigation inspection in the last five years, you may not need a new one. Here's where to look:

Ask your insurance agent. If a form was submitted for your policy, your agent or insurer should have it on file.

Ask the previous owner or your real estate agent. Sellers sometimes have a recent form, and it may still be valid for you.

Ask the inspector who did it. Inspectors keep copies of their reports and can often send one again.

If you can't find it, or the home has changed since, a new inspection is the way to go.

How long a wind mitigation report lasts

A completed form is generally accepted for five years, as long as nothing on the home has changed. If you replace the roof, add impact windows or install shutters, get a new inspection right away, because those upgrades can earn you more credit. You can read about what each question on the form means in our guide to what a Florida wind mitigation inspection checks.

How we do it

We check the roof covering, the attic, the roof deck attachment, the roof-to-wall connection, the roof shape and every opening, and back up each answer with photos. You get the completed form, usually the same day, ready to send to your agent.