Wind Mitigation Inspections in Orlando & Central Florida
A wind mitigation inspection verifies your home’s wind-resistant features for your insurer — and can save homeowners up to 40% on their premium. Every report includes the permit records insurance companies require.
- Up to 40% Premium Savings
- Permit Records Included
- Report in 24 Hours
- Valid for 5 Years
What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
A wind mitigation is an inspection typically required by insurance companies. It verifies the wind-resistant features of a home and tells the insurer how well the home may hold up to a windstorm or hurricane. This report can save a homeowner up to 40 percent on their insurance premium.
All of our inspection reports come with the permit records that insurance companies require — pulled from county records and included automatically.
Florida Statute 627.711 requires insurance companies to notify homeowners of premium discounts for hurricane loss mitigation, and establishes the uniform mitigation verification inspection form used statewide.
Who Needs One?
- Almost every home buyer purchasing a home, to qualify for the insurance discounts
- Homeowners renewing an annual policy whose wind mitigation on file is five years old or older
- Homeowners changing insurance companies
- Homeowners who had a new roof installed
Who Does Not?
- New construction homes are not required to have wind mitigation inspections
- Manufactured homes do not qualify for wind mitigation insurance credits
- Homeowners who already have a policy in place with a valid wind mitigation report on file
What We Inspect
The wind-resistant features are primarily verified in the attic, but the inspection also covers:
- The age of the roof
- The type of roof covering
- The shape of the roof
- All potential impact-rated openings — exterior doors, garage door, windows and skylights
- Any permits found on county records, which are included in the report
The Seven Categories That Earn You Credit
There are seven categories on the wind mitigation form. Your home does not need every wind-resistant feature to get a discount — each category is a potential discount on its own.
1. Florida Building Code (FBC)
Was the home built after March 1, 2002? This is verified on the county property appraiser’s site and included in the report. Homes built after that date receive the best credit.
2. Roof Covering
The type and age of the roof covering are verified, and any permits found are included with the report. Roofs permitted March 2, 2002 or later receive the best credit.
3. Roof Deck Attachment
The roof deck is the plywood under the shingles, attached to the trusses with nail fasteners. We verify the nail size and spacing, plus deck thickness — which should be a minimum of 7/16 inch. 8d nails at 6-inch spacing receive the best credit.
4. Roof-to-Wall Connection
Inspected in the attic, this shows how well the roof trusses attach to the walls. Four common types:
- Toenail — a nail driven at an angle through the truss into the top plate
- Clip — a metal bracket attached to the wall and fastened to the truss
- Single wrap — a bracket wrapped over the top of the truss, fastened both sides
- Double wrap — two brackets wrapped over the truss, fastened both sides
5. Roof Shape
Hip roofs have a horizontal roof edge on all sides and resist wind better than any other shape — they receive the best credit.
Gable roofs have a vertical roof edge on the ends of the home. Gable end walls are more vulnerable, and field testing shows gable roofs take up to 40% more pressure from wind than hip roofs.
6. Secondary Water Resistance (SWR)
SWR is a self-adhering underlayment installed between the roof covering and the roof deck. Underlayments are typically either felt paper or SWR — and SWR receives the best credit.
7. Opening Protection
Opening protection credits are not common in Central Florida, because the region is not in the high-velocity wind zone and homes are not usually built with impact-rated openings.
To receive the credit, a home must have impact-rated fixtures on all openings — exterior doors, garage door, windows and skylights — each with a verifiable notice of compliance label. If all but one fixture is impact rated, none of the openings receive a credit.
Common Questions
How long is a wind mitigation report good for?
Five years, provided you do not change insurance companies and no updates were made to the home that would affect the credits.
Does a new insurance company honor my old report?
No. If you change insurance companies, the new insurer will not honor the previous wind mitigation report and a new inspection is needed.
I just had a new roof installed — do I need a new inspection?
Yes. A new roof may add credits to your premium, and a new inspection is required to verify them.
How much does a wind mitigation inspection cost?
A wind mitigation inspection is $200 stand-alone, or $100 when added to a home inspection. A 4-Point and Wind Mitigation combo is $250. See full pricing.
Do manufactured homes qualify?
No. Manufactured homes do not qualify for wind mitigation insurance credits. New construction homes are also not required to have one.
How much can a wind mitigation save me?
Up to 40 percent off your premium, depending on which of the seven categories your home qualifies for. Your home does not need every wind-resistant feature to earn a discount.
Wind Mitigation Inspections Across Central Florida
We perform wind mitigation inspections throughout Orlando, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Celebration, Winter Park and Sanford — up through Daytona Beach and DeLand — and all along the Space Coast in Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa, Merritt Island and Titusville. Serving Orange, Osceola, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Seminole and Polk counties.
Related Inspections
The other inspection most Florida insurers ask for. Bundle both for $250.
Stand-alone and bundled rates for every inspection we offer.
See exactly what a completed wind mitigation report looks like.