What a wind mitigation inspection is
A wind mitigation inspection documents how well your home is built to resist hurricane-force wind. The findings are recorded on Florida's uniform mitigation verification form, currently form OIR-B1-1802, adopted under Florida Administrative Code Rule 69O-170.0155. You send the form to your insurer, and your insurer uses it to decide which wind discounts or credits your home qualifies for.
Under Florida Statutes section 627.0629, residential property insurers must include discounts, credits or deductible reductions for features that reduce windstorm loss: wind uplift prevention, roof strength, roof covering performance, roof-to-wall strength, opening protection, and window, door and skylight strength. The size of any discount depends on your insurer and your policy; nobody can promise one before the report is in your insurer's hands.
What the inspection looks at
- Roof covering. Whether the shingles, tile or metal were installed to a recognized building code standard, usually checked against permit records.
- Roof deck attachment. How the decking is fastened to the trusses: nail type and spacing.
- Roof-to-wall attachment. Toe nails, clips, single wraps or double wraps tying the roof structure to the walls.
- Roof shape. Hip roofs generally perform better in wind than gable roofs.
- Secondary water resistance. A layer under the roof covering that helps keep water out if shingles or tiles are torn off.
- Opening protection. How windows, doors and skylights are protected.
Who can sign the form
Florida Statutes section 627.711 lists who insurers must accept a signed mitigation form from, including licensed home inspectors with hurricane mitigation training, certified building code inspectors, licensed general, building or residential contractors, professional engineers and architects. The person who signs must personally inspect the home, with limited exceptions in the law.
Fix the roof first, or inspect first?
A wind mitigation report is a snapshot of the house as it is. If your roof has storm damage or leaks, a roof repair protects the house now, and our insurance claim help explains how we document storm damage. If the roof is older or failing, a full roof replacement is when the deck attachment, underlayment and covering are all brought up to the current code, and when the permit an inspector looks for is created. Not sure where your roof stands? Start with a free roof inspection.
Free inspections and grants through My Safe Florida Home
The state's My Safe Florida Home program offers free wind mitigation inspections to eligible homeowners and grants for approved upgrades. Eligibility and funding change, so check the program directly before you plan around a grant.
Read more in our article Wind mitigation and your roof: what Polk County homeowners should know.
Our office is at 5011 Recker Hwy, Winter Haven, FL 33880, open Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (863) 967-6675.
General information, not insurance or legal advice. Ask your insurance agent how wind mitigation credits apply to your policy.
Related
- Wind mitigation and your roof (article)
- Roof replacement in Winter Haven
- Insurance claims help
- Roof inspection in Winter Haven
Frequently asked questions
Does Budget Roofing Service do wind mitigation inspections?
Yes. Budget Roofing Service, Inc. performs wind mitigation inspections for homes in Winter Haven and across Polk County. Call (863) 967-6675 or send the estimate form to book one.
Does a wind mitigation inspection lower my insurance?
It can. Florida law requires home insurers to offer discounts, credits or deductible reductions for qualifying wind-resistant features. Whether you save, and how much, depends on what the inspection finds and on your insurer's approved rates.
Does a new roof help my wind mitigation report?
Usually, yes. A new roof installed under a permit to the current Florida Building Code tends to score better on roof covering, and a replacement is when deck attachment and the underlayment can be upgraded. The result still depends on the rest of the house.
What form is used for a wind mitigation inspection in Florida?
The state's uniform mitigation verification inspection form, currently form OIR-B1-1802, adopted under Florida Administrative Code Rule 69O-170.0155.