The short answer
A wind mitigation inspection is a roughly 30-minute check that records seven hurricane-resistant features of your home — like roof shape, roof covering, deck attachment, and hurricane straps. The inspector files the results on Florida's standard OIR-B1-1802 form, and your insurer applies a credit for every qualifying feature. For many Central Florida homes, those credits cut the windstorm portion of the premium by hundreds of dollars a year, and the report stays valid for up to five years.
What a Wind Mitigation Inspection Actually Checks
Florida built the wind mitigation program after years of hurricane losses to reward homes that are built or upgraded to resist high winds. The inspector isn't grading your roof's beauty — they're documenting specific construction features that statistically reduce wind damage. Here are the seven the OIR-B1-1802 form looks at:
1. Building Code
When the home was built or re-roofed. Homes built to the 2001+ Florida Building Code earn stronger credits.
2. Roof Covering
Whether your shingles or tiles meet Florida product-approval standards for wind resistance.
3. Roof Deck Attachment
How the plywood deck is nailed to the trusses. Closer nail spacing and ring-shank nails hold the roof down in a storm.
4. Roof-to-Wall Attachment
The big one. Toe-nails, clips, or hurricane straps that tie the roof to the walls. Straps and double wraps earn the largest credits.
5. Roof Geometry
The shape. A hip roof (sloped on all sides) resists wind far better than a gable and earns a meaningful discount.
6. Secondary Water Resistance (SWR)
A sealed underlayment barrier that keeps water out if the covering blows off. Optional, but a nice credit if present.
7. Opening Protection
Impact-rated windows, doors, and shutters. Strongest credits when every opening is protected.
Each feature you can document is money off your bill. The inspector photographs and records every one on the state form so the insurer can't dispute it.
How Much Can a Wind Mitigation Inspection Save You?
This is the question everyone asks, and the honest answer is: it depends on your roof — but the upside is real. The windstorm portion of a Florida premium is often a large chunk of the total bill, and wind mitigation credits apply directly to it. A home with a hip roof, code-compliant covering, and hurricane straps can see several hundred dollars a year in combined credits.
Because a typical inspection costs $100–$175 and the report is valid for up to five years, the math usually works heavily in your favor. Even a modest credit recovers the cost in the first year, then keeps saving you money for the next four.
| Feature documented | Why it matters | Credit potential |
|---|---|---|
| Hip roof shape | Resists uplift on all sides | Meaningful |
| Hurricane straps / clips | Keeps roof attached to walls | Largest |
| Code-approved roof covering | Stays on in high wind | Moderate |
| Secondary water resistance | Blocks water intrusion | Small–moderate |
| Impact-rated openings | Prevents pressurization failure | Strong |
Want a quick cost estimate before you book? Use our cost calculator.
Find Out What You're Owed
Most homeowners are missing credits they already qualify for. We'll document every one on the OIR-B1-1802 form so your insurer applies the discount.
Call (407) 437-9477Request a Free QuoteHow the Inspection Works
Schedule
Pick a time that works; most visits take about 30 minutes.
Inspect
We document all seven features, inside the attic and on the roof, with photos.
Report
You get the signed OIR-B1-1802 form, usually same or next day.
Save
Send it to your insurer or agent and the credits are applied.
Do You Need One? (Almost Certainly Yes)
Unlike a 4-point, a wind mitigation inspection is voluntary — no one forces you to get it. But skipping it means leaving money on the table every single year. If you've never had one, if you re-roofed recently, if you added impact windows or shutters, or if your last report is over five years old, you're very likely overpaying. The only way to claim the credits is to document them.
It pairs naturally with a 4-point inspection — many homeowners book both in one visit to save. Learn how they differ in our Florida insurance inspection guide.