Wind Mitigation Inspections in Florida: Insurance Premium Savings

What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection

A wind mitigation inspection documents specific construction features on a Florida home that can reduce damage from high winds during hurricanes. Insurers must offer discounts or credits for these features on the windstorm portion of residential property insurance policies under state law.

Florida law requires insurers to notify policyholders of available discounts at issuance and renewal. s. 627.711, F.S. The inspection uses the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802) approved by the Office of Insurance Regulation.

Documenting these features can help homeowners qualify for discounts that apply only to the windstorm portion of the premium. The form records details such as roof shape, attachments, and opening protection, supported by photographs taken during the inspection.

The form verifies features that help a home resist wind uplift, debris impact, and water intrusion. Insurers use the documented details to determine eligibility for credits under their approved rating plans. A new form version, OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26), must be used for inspections on or after April 1, 2026.

Who Can Perform the Inspection

Only authorized professionals may complete the form. These include:

• Home inspectors licensed under s. 468.8314, F.S., with required hurricane mitigation training and a proficiency exam.
• Building code inspectors certified under s. 468.607, F.S.
• General, building, or residential contractors licensed under s. 489.111, F.S.
• Professional engineers licensed under s. 471.015, F.S.
• Professional architects licensed under s. 481.213, F.S.

The inspector must personally examine the property. s. 627.711, F.S. Licensees under certain sections may authorize a direct employee meeting specific qualifications to assist in limited cases, but the authorized inspector remains responsible. Florida Home Network lists licensed home inspection pros in Florida.

Homeowners should confirm the inspector's active license status through official state resources before scheduling. Insurers may request additional verification of qualifications. The form must be signed by the current property owner or an authorized representative attesting to the inspection.

Preparing for the Inspection

Schedule with a qualified inspector. Provide any existing documentation on roof age, permits, or prior mitigation work.

Practical steps to prepare include:

1. Ensure attic access is clear and safe for entry if needed for roof deck and attachment checks.
2. Gather records of roof replacements, permits, or previous mitigation forms.
3. Note any recent upgrades to windows, doors, shutters, or roofing materials.
4. Clear exterior areas around openings for inspection of shutters or impact protection.
5. Have garage door details available, including any reinforcement kits.

Additional preparation tips include reviewing the current version of the OIR-B1-1802 form in advance and identifying any FORTIFIED Home certificates if applicable. Provide the inspector with product specifications, invoices, or notices of acceptance for installed mitigation products. Attic access is essential for verifying roof deck attachment, roof to wall connections, and secondary water resistance. Without safe access, credits for those features may not be available.

The inspector examines specific areas and takes photographs to support findings on the form.

The Inspection Process

The inspector examines:

1. Roof shape and covering.
2. Roof deck attachment.
3. Roof to wall connections (clips, straps).
4. Secondary water resistance.
5. Opening protection (windows, doors, shutters).
6. Garage doors.
7. Wall construction where relevant.

Access to the attic is often needed. The inspector takes photographs to support each feature. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation At least one photograph is typically required for attributes related to roof deck, roof to wall, secondary water resistance, and opening protection unless other compliance documentation is provided.

Expanded Checklist of Common Items Inspected

• Confirm roof type (hip versus gable or other) by visual exterior inspection and note any dormers or changes in slope.
• Verify roof deck nailing pattern and fastener size against code standards, often by measuring spacing in the attic.
• Inspect visible roof to wall connections in the attic for clips nailed to rafter and top plate, single wraps, or double straps.
• Check for secondary water resistance layer under roof covering, such as self-adhering underlayment strips or full coverage.
• Examine all openings for impact-rated products or approved shutters, including verification of product labels or ratings.
• Assess garage door strength and any bracing or reinforcement kits installed.
• Review building code compliance indicators, such as construction year relative to the 2001 Florida Building Code or later editions.

Examples of what inspectors look for include specific nail spacing for deck attachment or metal clips versus straps at truss to wall joints. For opening protection, inspectors may check for permanent or removable systems that meet intermediate or high velocity hurricane zone standards. Documentation such as roofing permits or manufacturer notices of acceptance can support claims where visual verification is limited.

Submit the completed form and photos to your insurer or agent. Insurers review for eligibility. A new form version must be used for inspections on or after April 1, 2026.

Features That May Qualify for Discounts

Common qualifying features include hip roofs, impact-rated openings, reinforced roof deck nailing, and secondary water barriers. Homes built to the 2001 Florida Building Code or later, including the 1994 South Florida Building Code in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, automatically qualify for a minimum 68 percent discount on the windstorm coverage portion of the premium. Additional features may increase the discount. Premium Discounts for Hurricane Loss Mitigation guide

For pre-2001 homes, qualifying items often include:

• Roof coverings meeting current Florida Building Code standards, such as asphalt or fiberglass shingles, concrete or clay tiles, or metal panels.
• Specific roof deck attachments using code-compliant nails or screws at required spacing.
• Roof to wall connections such as clips nailed to rafter and top plate, single wraps or straps, or double straps.
• Secondary water resistance barriers, including self-adhering strips at eaves or full coverage underlayment.
• Approved shutters or impact protection meeting intermediate or hurricane protection standards.
• Hip roof shape.

For post-2001 code homes, additional credits may apply for hip roofs and certain opening protections beyond base code requirements. Newer form versions also recognize FORTIFIED Home Roof, Silver, or Gold certificates for specific mitigation credits. The form is used solely to verify construction features and does not serve as proof of roof condition or replacement.

How Discounts Are Applied

Provide the valid form to your insurer. Discounts apply only to the windstorm coverage. The form remains valid for five years unless material changes occur to the structure or inaccuracies are found on the form. A new form version must be used for inspections on or after April 1, 2026. Premium Discounts for Hurricane Loss Mitigation guide

Contact your insurer for the exact discount amount based on your policy and features. Updating mitigation features and obtaining a new inspection can lead to additional savings. Insurers determine eligibility based on the documented features and may apply varying credit amounts according to their approved rating plans. Keep copies of the form, photographs, and supporting documents for your records. Follow up with the insurer after submission to confirm application at the next renewal.

Finding a Qualified Inspector

Verify the inspector's active Florida license through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Florida Home Network provides a directory of licensed pros built from state records. Find a licensed pro

Compare multiple inspectors if possible, and request examples of completed forms or references to their process. Confirm they will provide photographs and a copy of the signed form promptly after the inspection. Ask about experience with the current OIR-B1-1802 version and any FORTIFIED Home documentation they can handle.

Important Considerations

Insurers may request independent verification in some cases. Never use an unverified form. Misrepresentation on the form can result in penalties under Florida law. s. 627.711, F.S.

Confirm current requirements with your insurer, as rules and forms are updated periodically. Homeowners should review any form for accuracy before submission, as errors can affect discount eligibility or trigger further review. The form serves only to verify mitigation features and does not substitute for proof of roof condition or other maintenance items.

Practical tips include keeping copies of all documentation and following up with the insurer after submission to confirm discounts have been applied at the next renewal. A valid form from a prior owner may be used if within the five-year period and no material changes have occurred. Confirm with your insurer and consider a new inspection.