Wind Mitigation Inspection in Florida: What It Checks and How It Lowers Your Insurance

Short answer: A wind mitigation inspection documents the features of your home that help it resist hurricane winds, mainly how your roof is built and attached. The inspector records them on the state’s Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802). Florida insurers are required to offer premium discounts for qualifying wind-resistant features, so a good report can lower what you pay. The report is generally valid for up to five years as long as nothing material changes on the house.

What does a wind mitigation inspection check?

The inspector looks at the parts of the house that matter most in a windstorm and photographs each one. The main items are:

• Building code: when the home was built or re-roofed and which Florida Building Code applied.
• Roof covering: the type of roofing and whether it was permitted and installed to code.
• Roof deck attachment: how the plywood or decking is nailed to the rafters or trusses. Stronger nailing patterns earn better credits.
• Roof-to-wall attachment: whether the roof is tied to the walls with toe nails, clips, single wraps or double wraps.
• Roof shape: hip roofs generally perform better in high winds than gable roofs.
• Secondary water resistance: a sealed underlayment that keeps water out if shingles or tiles blow off.
• Opening protection: impact-rated windows, doors, garage doors or approved shutters.

The state updated the form for 2026, and the new version collects more detail in several categories. Your inspector will use whichever version is current.

How does it lower my insurance premium?

Florida law requires residential insurers to offer discounts or credits for construction features that reduce windstorm losses, and insurers must tell you which discounts are available at each renewal. Your agent applies the credits based on what the inspection report shows. The roof features above usually carry the most weight, which is why the inspection is worth getting even if your roof is fairly new.

How long is a wind mitigation report good for?

Up to five years, as long as you don’t make material changes to the structure and nothing on the form turns out to be inaccurate. A new roof is a material change, so get a fresh inspection after a re-roof to capture the upgraded features.

Who can do the inspection?

It must be done by an inspector authorized under Florida law, such as a licensed home inspector, general contractor, building code inspector, engineer or architect. Ask to see their license, and make sure they sign the official form.

How a new roof improves your report

A re-roof is the easiest time to upgrade the features insurers reward. During a full tear-off we can re-nail the deck to current code, install secondary water resistance and use code-compliant fastening and flashing. If your home qualifies, the state’s My Safe Florida Home program may help pay for some of these upgrades.

Want to know what your roof would show on an inspection? Call (352) 857-1469 for a free roof evaluation with photos. We serve Ocala, The Villages, Winter Park and Orlando and Tampa Bay from our Summerfield headquarters. We’re a Florida Certified Roofing Contractor (CCC1331563) and Certified General Contractor (CGC1534617).

Related: Can a Florida insurer drop you because of your roof’s age? · Can you put a new roof over your old one in Florida?

Frequently asked questions

Is a wind mitigation inspection worth it in Florida?

Usually, yes. The inspection is a one-time cost, and the discounts it can unlock apply to your premium every year for as long as the report is valid, generally up to five years.

How long is a wind mitigation inspection valid in Florida?

Up to five years, as long as no material changes are made to the structure and no inaccuracies are found on the form. Get a new inspection after a re-roof.

What is form OIR-B1-1802?

It is Florida’s Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, the official form an authorized inspector completes during a wind mitigation inspection. Insurers use it to apply wind mitigation discounts.

Does a new roof lower my wind mitigation rating?

A new roof usually improves it. A re-roof is the best time to add stronger deck nailing and secondary water resistance, two of the features insurers credit.