A Florida Home Inspection Company’s Complete Guide to Wind Mitigation Inspections for Homebuyers

We spend a lot of time helping buyers not only understand the condition of the property they’re purchasing, but also how certain features can save them money in the long run. One of the most misunderstood — yet financially beneficial — inspections we perform is the wind mitigation inspection.

If you’re buying a home in Florida, you’ve likely heard about them from your real estate agent, insurance provider, or even a friend.  But what exactly is a wind mitigation inspection? How does it work? And why does it matter to you as a prospective homebuyer?

Let’s take a look.


What is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

A wind mitigation inspection is a specialized home inspection that evaluates how well a home can withstand strong winds — particularly the kind we get from tropical storms and hurricanes. The purpose of this inspection is not to grade the home’s overall condition, but specifically to identify features and construction methods that reduce the likelihood of wind damage. These features, if present, may qualify the homeowner for insurance premium discounts under Florida law.


The idea is simple: a home with stronger wind-resistant features is less likely to sustain costly damage during a storm, which means less financial risk for the insurance company. In return, insurers offer discounts for homes that meet certain wind mitigation standards.


Why Florida Homes Need Wind Mitigation

Florida is uniquely vulnerable to high-wind events. With more than 1,300 miles of coastline and a long hurricane season, homeowners here face some of the highest windstorm insurance rates in the country.

The state’s building codes have evolved significantly since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, with newer construction requirements aimed at making homes more resilient. But not all homes meet the latest standards, especially if they were built before certain code updates.

This is where wind mitigation inspections come in — they document which features your home already has in place to resist wind damage.


What Is Looked At  During a Wind Mitigation Inspection

When this inspection is performed, it uses a standardized form created by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR-B1-1802 form). This form lists several key areas to be evaluated..


A. Building Code Compliance

  • Check the original building permit date to see if the home was constructed under Florida Building Code (FBC) or Miami-Dade County Building Code standards.

  • Homes built to these codes (generally after March 1, 2002, statewide, or September 1, 1994, in Miami-Dade and Broward) often qualify for significant discounts because of stricter wind-resistance requirements.

B. Roof Covering

  • Check the type of roof covering (shingles, tile, metal, etc.) and the permit date of its installation.

  • Roofs installed after March 1, 2002 (or after 1994 in South Florida counties) are presumed to meet stronger wind standards.

  • Also note the condition of the roof to confirm it’s still in good shape — insurance companies don’t give credit for deteriorated coverings.

C. Roof Deck Attachment

  • This refers to how the roof sheathing (plywood or OSB panels) is attached to the trusses or rafters.

  • Stronger attachment methods (like 8d nails spaced closely) resist uplift forces better than staples or widely spaced nails.

  • Sometimes nail size is measured and spacing from inside the attic.

D. Roof-to-Wall Connection

  • This is how the roof structure is anchored to the walls of the home — a critical factor in preventing roof blow-off.

  • Common connection types include:

    • Toe nails (least resistant)

    • Clips

    • Single wraps

    • Double wraps (most resistant)

  • The more secure the connection, the more credit the home often receives.

E. Roof Geometry

  • The shape of the roof impacts wind resistance.

  • Hip roofs (where all sides slope downward) perform better in high winds than gable roofs.

  • Hip roofs can qualify for significant insurance discounts compared to other roof types.

F. Secondary Water Resistance (SWR)

  • An SWR is a waterproof barrier applied under the roof covering that helps prevent water intrusion if the roof is damaged.


  • Look for materials like peel-and-stick membranes that can stop rain from entering through gaps.

G. Opening Protection

  • This refers to protection for windows, doors, skylights, and garage doors.

  • Hurricane-rated shutters, impact-resistant glass, and reinforced garage doors can qualify for credits.

  • Most of the time, for insurance purposes, all openings must be protected to receive the highest discount level.

Your  Relationship Between Wind Mitigation and Homeowner’s Insurance

Here’s where it gets interesting — a wind mitigation inspection can directly save you money on your homeowner’s insurance premiums.


A. Florida’s Insurance Discount Law

Under Florida Statute 627.0629, insurance companies must offer discounts for certain wind-resistance features. The wind mitigation inspection is how you prove those features exist.


B. How Discounts Work

  • Typically, the more qualifying features your home has, the bigger the discount.

  • Discounts apply for the life of the home feature — for example, if you have a qualifying hip roof, you keep that credit until you change the roof shape.

  • Some homeowners save anywhere from 10% to over 40% on their windstorm portion of insurance.


Why This Information is Valuable to a Florida Homebuyer

When you’re in the market for a home, a wind mitigation inspection can help you in several ways:


A. Insurance Cost Projection

Homeowners insurance in Florida can be a big monthly expense. Knowing which wind mitigation features are already in place lets you estimate your future premiums more accurately.


B. Negotiating Leverage

If the home you’re considering has poor wind resistance, you can factor in the cost of upgrades (like adding shutters or replacing a roof) during negotiations.


C. Risk Awareness

Understanding how the home is built for wind resistance helps you assess its vulnerability to hurricane damage.


D. Future Upgrade Planning

Even if the home doesn’t qualify for all possible discounts now, you can plan improvements to boost its wind resistance and reduce insurance costs after you move in.


Wind Mitigation and Resale Value

Homes with proven wind mitigation features often appeal more to Florida buyers because they come with the promise of lower insurance costs. When you eventually sell the home, having a recent wind mitigation report can be a strong selling point.


The Cost vs. Benefit of a Wind Mitigation Inspection

  • Typical Cost: $75–$150 (often less when bundled with a general home inspection).

  • Potential Savings: Hundreds to thousands of dollars per year on insurance premiums.

  • Payback Period: In many cases, homeowners recoup the cost of the inspection in just a few months.


Bottom Line

From our perspective as a Florida home inspection company, a wind mitigation inspection is one of the smartest investments you can make as a homebuyer in this state. It gives you a clear picture of the home’s wind resistance, potentially saves you substantial money on insurance, and helps you make an informed decision before you sign on the dotted line.

Buying a home in Florida means accepting the reality of hurricane risk — but it also means taking advantage of every tool available to protect your investment and your wallet. A wind mitigation inspection is one of the simplest, most cost-effective tools in that toolki and, from a savings standpoint, worth every dime.


We’re Here To Help

Feel free to call us if you have questions at 407-319-4608. You may also schedule your inspection or find additional information on our website.


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