EXTERIORSWhat a wind mitigation inspection can save you
If your home has a newer roof, impact windows, or hurricane straps, you may be paying more for insurance than you need to. A wind mitigation inspection is how you prove it.
What it is
Florida requires insurance companies to offer discounts for features that reduce hurricane damage. Those discounts apply to the windstorm portion of your policy (Florida CFO).
To get them, a qualified inspector documents your home's features on the state's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, OIR-B1-1802. Qualified inspectors include licensed contractors, engineers, architects, and certified building code inspectors (Florida CFO). The form was updated, and the new version must be used for inspections on or after April 1, 2026 (Florida Office of Insurance Regulation).
What the inspector looks at
- Roof covering: whether it meets the Florida Building Code, and when it was permitted
- Roof deck attachment: how the plywood is nailed down
- Roof-to-wall connection: toe nails, clips, or straps holding the roof to the walls
- Roof shape: hip roofs generally do better in high wind than gable roofs
- Secondary water resistance: a sealed roof deck under the shingles or tile
- Opening protection: whether your windows, doors, garage door, and skylights are impact-rated or protected
Where roofing and windows come in
Several of the biggest items on the form are things we install. A new roof with peel-and-stick underlayment over the entire deck can count as secondary water resistance. Re-nailing the deck to code during a tear-off helps the deck attachment rating. And opening protection counts every opening, so one unprotected window or door can hold back the credit for the whole house.
When we finish a job, we give you the permit, the product approvals, and the paperwork your inspector needs to document the work.
How long it lasts
A completed form is valid for up to five years, as long as no material changes are made to the home and no inaccuracies are found (Florida Office of Insurance Regulation). If you replace your roof or windows, it's worth getting a new inspection so your insurer sees the upgrade.
Help paying for upgrades
The state's My Safe Florida Home program offers free wind mitigation inspections and grants of up to $10,000 for approved upgrades like roof improvements and impact windows and doors, for homes that qualify (My Safe Florida Home). Eligibility and funding change, and the inspection comes first, so check the program before you start any work.
What to do next
- Find your last inspection form, if you have one, and check the date.
- Schedule a new inspection after any roof, window, or door project.
- Send the completed form to your insurance agent and ask which discounts were applied.
Thinking about a roof or impact windows?
We'll show you which upgrades matter most for your home, and give you every document your inspector will ask for.
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Your hurricane season home checklist →How to choose the right impact door →Why roof quotes in Tampa can vary by thousands →See all articles →This article is general information, not insurance advice. Discounts depend on your insurer, your policy, and your home. Red Sky Exteriors is a licensed contractor, not an insurance agent.