If you own a Florida home, a wind mitigation inspection is the cheapest way to potentially cut your premium, because state law requires insurers to give credits for construction features that resist hurricane winds. Many homeowners are paying for features they already have but never documented.
What a wind mit inspection checks
A licensed inspector completes the state form (OIR-B1-1802), documenting the features that matter most in a windstorm:
| 1802 feature | What the inspector verifies | Credit impact |
|---|---|---|
| Building code | Year built or re-roofed — homes under the 2002 Florida Building Code or later earn a higher baseline | Foundational — sets the baseline |
| Roof covering | Whether shingles, metal, or tile meet current code wind standards (FBC or Miami-Dade product approval) | Moderate; gates other roof credits |
| Roof deck attachment | Nail size (6d vs. 8d) and spacing; closely spaced ring-shank nails earn the top tier (A–H rating) | Moderate |
| Roof-to-wall attachment | Toe-nails earn the least; clips, single wraps, and double wraps earn progressively more | Usually the biggest structural credit |
| Roof geometry | A hip roof (sloped on all four sides) vs. a gable or flat roof — hip earns the most | Large for hip roofs |
| Secondary water resistance (SWR) | A sealed roof deck (self-adhering membrane) that slows water intrusion if the covering blows off | Small, but easy to earn |
| Opening protection | Impact-rated windows, doors, and garage doors, or code-approved shutters on every opening (A–N rating) | Large when all openings qualify |
How much it can save
Credits vary by home, but the gap between a house with nothing documented and one with a hip roof, double wraps, SWR, and impact protection can be hundreds to well over a thousand dollars a year.
Where the biggest credits come from
Two lines on the form move the premium more than the rest combined. The roof-to-wall attachment is the single biggest structural credit: stepping up from toe-nails (a few nails driven at an angle) to clips, and from clips to double wraps, raises the discount at each level — which is why an older home with hidden straps is so often under-credited. Opening protection is the other, and it is effectively all-or-nothing: every window, exterior door, and the garage door has to be impact-rated or covered by a code-approved shutter for the home to earn it, so a single unprotected skylight or sidelight can forfeit the whole credit. A hip roof shape and a code-compliant roof covering round out the features worth the most.
What it costs and how long it lasts
A wind mit inspection typically runs $75 to $150, the report is valid for five years, and documented features commonly cut $500 to $900 or more off the annual premium — one of the best returns in all of homeownership. If the report flags upgrades worth making, the state's My Safe Florida Home program offers matching grants to help pay for them.
Wind mitigation vs. the 4-point inspection
Homeowners constantly mix these up, partly because many inspectors do both in one visit. They are different forms doing different jobs. A wind mitigation inspection (form OIR-B1-1802) documents wind-resistant features to earn you credits — it can only ever help your price. A 4-point inspection reports the age and condition of the roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, and carriers use it to decide whether they will insure the home at all, especially on homes 30+ years old. If you are shopping an older house, expect to need both: the 4-point to qualify, the wind mit to save.
The re-inspection opportunity
If your last inspection marked features "unknown" (often because the inspector had no attic access), you may be rating at the worst level for things your home actually has. A fresh inspection can recover those credits, which matters even more now that rates are easing and carriers are competing.
How to get a wind mitigation inspection in Florida
Hire a licensed home inspector, general contractor, architect, or engineer authorized to complete the state OIR-B1-1802 form — many advertise flat-rate "wind mit" visits. The inspector needs attic access to verify the roof deck nailing and the roof-to-wall connection, so clear the access panel first; no attic access is the top reason features get marked "unknown" and credits get lost. Once you have the report, send it over and we'll apply every credit across 150+ carriers. A wind mit pairs naturally with a 4-point inspection, and because roof age drives so much of your premium, a newer roof plus a strong wind mit report is the best-priced combination in Florida.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a wind mitigation inspection?
It's not required, but skipping it usually means leaving money on the table. Without one, insurers assume your home has none of the wind-resistant features that earn credits.
What is the difference between a wind mitigation inspection and a 4-point inspection?
They're different forms for different purposes. A wind mitigation inspection (form OIR-B1-1802) documents wind-resistant construction features so you can earn premium credits. A 4-point inspection reports the age and condition of the roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, and insurers use it to decide whether they'll write the policy at all. Many Florida homeowners get both in the same visit.
How much does a wind mitigation inspection cost in Florida?
Most Florida wind mitigation inspections run $75 to $150, and the report is valid for five years. Against typical credits of $500 to $900 or more a year, it usually pays for itself several times over in the first year.
How much can a wind mitigation inspection save in Florida?
It depends on your home's features, but savings of a few hundred to over a thousand dollars a year are common, against an inspection cost of roughly $75 to $150.
Which features earn the biggest wind mitigation credits?
The roof-to-wall attachment (toe-nails up to double wraps) and opening protection (impact glass or code-approved shutters on every opening) usually drive the largest credits, followed by a hip roof shape and a roof covering that meets current code.
How often do I need a new wind mitigation inspection?
The report is valid for five years. It's also worth re-inspecting after a roof replacement or new impact windows, since those add credits.
Do I need a new wind mitigation inspection after replacing my roof?
Yes. A re-roof under the current Florida Building Code often improves your roof covering, deck attachment, and secondary water resistance credits, so a fresh 1802 after a new roof frequently lowers your premium and resets the report's five-year clock.
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