Every Florida homeowner should have a current wind mitigation inspection on file with their insurance carrier. Not because it's required — it isn't. But because the discounts it unlocks routinely save homeowners $500 – $2,500 per year, and the inspection itself only costs $150 – $300.
What the inspector examines
The inspector documents your home's hurricane-resistant features on the official state form — the OIR-B1-1802. As of April 1, 2026, all new inspections use the revised OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26), which was approved by the Florida Cabinet in September 2025. The seven categories evaluated:
| Category | What it measures | Discount potential |
|---|---|---|
| Building code compliance | Built to 2001 FBC or later (permit dated after March 1, 2002) | Baseline credit |
| Roof covering | Age, material, meets current FBC standards | Moderate |
| Roof deck attachment | Nail size, spacing (8d @ 6" outperforms 6d @ 12") | Moderate |
| Roof-to-wall connection | Toe nails vs. clips vs. single wraps vs. double wraps | Up to 40% of wind premium |
| Roof geometry | Hip roof (best) vs. gable vs. other | Significant |
| Secondary water resistance | Sealed roof deck under shingles | Moderate |
| Opening protection | Impact-rated windows, doors, garage doors; approved shutters | All-or-nothing — weakest opening sets the score |
Homes built after March 1, 2002 were constructed under the Florida Building Code and almost automatically qualify for significant discounts. Homes built under the 1994 South Florida Building Code (Miami-Dade and Broward) qualify for a minimum 68% discount on the windstorm portion of their premium according to Florida consumer guidance.
Cost, timing, and validity
- Cost: $150 – $300 standalone; $75 – $125 add-on when bundled with a 4-point inspection
- Duration: 45 – 90 minutes on-site
- Who performs it: Licensed Florida inspectors, contractors, engineers, or architects (verify at Florida DBPR)
- Report validity: 5 years from inspection date
- Applies to any carrier: One report works across insurance shopping — Citizens, private, or surplus lines
Opening protection — the most common misunderstanding
This category is scored on your weakest opening, not your best. If you have impact-rated windows on 90% of the home but one un-protected sliding door, you get zero opening protection credit. To score here, every glazed opening (windows, doors, skylights) must have either:
- Impact-rated glass tested to the Miami-Dade or Florida Building Code standard
- Code-approved accordion, roll-down, or hurricane panel shutters
- Approved plywood covers (limited approvals only)
Interior blinds, decorative shutters, and standard screens don't qualify.
When to get a new wind mitigation report
- Your current report is 4+ years old (they expire at 5)
- You've replaced the roof
- You've added impact windows, doors, or code-approved shutters
- You upgraded your garage door to impact-rated
- You added structural roof-to-wall clips or straps
On a $6,000 Central Florida homeowners policy with a $2,500 wind portion, a home built in 2004 with a hip roof, secondary water resistance, and impact windows can see the wind portion drop by 45% — a $1,125 annual savings for a one-time $250 inspection. That's a 4.5x return in the first year alone. For more on how insurance is priced, read the Florida insurance chapter.
