Wind Mitigation Inspection in Florida: What It Is & Why Insurers Want One
What is a wind mitigation inspection?
A wind mitigation inspection is a short, focused survey of the features that help your home stand up to hurricane-force winds. A licensed inspector walks the property, photographs specific parts of the roof and openings, and records what they find on a standard state form. It is not a pass-or-fail test and it is not a full home inspection — it simply documents what wind-resistant features your home already has.
Why does that matter? Because in Florida, those documented features can directly lower your home insurance bill. The stronger and better-protected your home, the less risk you pose to your insurer — and Florida law says they have to pass some of that saving back to you.
Why your insurer wants one — and why you should too
This is the part most homeowners don't realise: the discounts aren't a favour, they're the law. Florida Statute 627.0629 requires insurance carriers to reduce the windstorm portion of your premium for verified wind-mitigation features. So the inspection isn't red tape — it's how you unlock savings you're legally entitled to.
Without the report, your insurer assumes the worst about your home and prices it accordingly. With it, every qualifying feature — hurricane straps, a hip roof, impact-rated windows — chips away at your premium. For many Florida homeowners the inspection pays for itself several times over in the first year alone.
The 7 things a wind mitigation inspection checks
The inspection is recorded on Florida's Uniform Mitigation Verification form (OIR-B1-1802), which scores seven areas:
- Building code / year built — homes built to newer codes (especially post-2002) already meet stronger wind standards.
- Roof covering — whether your shingles or tiles meet current Florida product-approval standards.
- Roof deck attachment — how the plywood or decking is fastened down (nail type and spacing).
- Roof-to-wall connection — how the roof is tied to the walls: toe-nails, clips, or single/double hurricane wraps. This is often the single biggest discount.
- Roof geometry — the roof's shape. A hip roof (sloped on all sides) resists wind far better than a gable and earns a bigger credit.
- Secondary water resistance (SWR) — an extra sealed barrier under the roof covering that keeps water out if shingles blow off.
- Opening protection — impact-rated windows, doors and shutters that protect against flying debris.
You don't need all seven to benefit. Even one or two qualifying features can move your premium.
How much can you actually save?
Savings vary a lot by home, insurer and location, so be wary of anyone promising an exact figure. But the ranges are real: homeowners with strong features — hurricane clips or wraps, a hip roof, impact windows — often see hundreds to over a thousand dollars a year come off the windstorm portion of their premium. Older homes with few protections save less, but even a modest discount usually beats the cost of the inspection.
The honest way to think about it: the inspection is cheap, the potential saving is not, and the only way to know your number is to get the report and give it to your insurer.
What it costs and how long it lasts
A wind mitigation inspection typically runs $75 to $150 on its own in Florida, or a little more when bundled with a 4-point inspection (a common pairing for older homes). The report is valid for five years from the inspection date, after which you'll need a new one to keep the credits in force — so it's not an annual expense.
The new 2026 form (OIR-B1-1802, Rev. 04/26)
Florida updated the wind-mitigation form, and the new version became mandatory on 1 April 2026. The changes tighten the documentation required for each feature and add performance-based options for roof-to-wall connections, recognising engineered retrofit solutions. If you already have a valid report on an older form, it generally stays valid for its full five-year term — but any new inspection must be on the current form, so make sure your inspector is using it.
Who can perform one
Wind mitigation inspections must be completed by a qualified, Florida-licensed inspector (licensed home inspectors, general contractors, building inspectors, architects and engineers all commonly qualify). Insurers will not accept a report from an unlicensed provider, so always confirm the credentials — and that the report is on the current state form — before you book.
Is it worth it?
For almost every Florida homeowner, yes — especially if your home has any storm-resistant features or you're approaching a renewal. It's one of the cheapest pieces of paperwork you can buy and one of the few that can genuinely lower your insurance for years. If you're already booking a 4-point inspection, adding the wind-mit is almost always the smart move.
*This guide is general information, not insurance advice. Actual discounts depend on your home, your insurer and your policy — always confirm the specifics with your own carrier.*
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