Insurance Savings Guide
Florida Wind Mitigation Discounts
Save 15–50% on your windstorm premium with wind-resistant improvements. Complete 2026 guide to inspections, the new OIR-B1-1802 form, and My Safe Florida Home grants.
Get Your Quote TodayKey Takeaways: Wind Mitigation Saves You Thousands
- Wind mitigation inspections can cut your windstorm premium by 15-50% depending on your home's protective features
- The new OIR-B1-1802 form (effective April 1, 2026) requires stricter documentation for impact windows, roof coverings, and connections
- My Safe Florida Home offers FREE inspections and matching grants up to $10,000 for qualifying homeowners
- Most inspections cost $75-150 and pay for themselves within 1-2 years through insurance savings
- Homes built to the 2001 Florida Building Code automatically receive 68% discount on windstorm coverage
What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
A wind mitigation inspection is a detailed assessment of your home's protective features against wind damage. A certified inspector examines your property and completes the official Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802), which documents which features your home has that reduce wind damage risk. This form is recognized by all Florida insurance carriers and directly determines your insurance discount eligibility.
The 7 Categories Inspectors Evaluate
- Roof Covering: Material, age, and installation quality
- Roof-to-Wall Connection: Straps, clips, wraps, or fasteners
- Roof Geometry: Hip vs. gable design
- Secondary Water Resistance: Underlayment quality
- Opening Protection: Impact windows, doors, shutters
- Roof Deck Attachment: Fastening to framing
- Wall Construction: Exterior wall type and strength
What Gets Documented
The inspector doesn't test your home or make repairs. They simply document what's already there. Your inspection report includes:
- • Photos of roof, connections, and openings
- • Roof age and covering material
- • Evidence of code-compliant construction
- • Presence of impact protection
- • Building permit records verification
- • Detailed findings on the OIR-B1-1802 form
Pro Tip: Your inspection is simply documenting features your home already has. You don't need to make any improvements to get inspected. However, if you're considering upgrades, the inspection helps you prioritize which improvements will give you the biggest insurance discount.
How Much Can You Save?
Wind mitigation discounts apply specifically to the windstorm portion of your homeowners insurance premium. The amount you save depends on which improvements your home has. Here's what typical savings look like:
Example: $300,000 Home
Annual Windstorm Premium
$1,000
1-2 qualifying features
3-4 qualifying features
Multiple improvements + newer construction
Example: $500,000 Home
Annual Windstorm Premium
$1,800
1-2 qualifying features
3-4 qualifying features
Multiple improvements + newer construction
The ROI Usually Happens in Year One
Most inspections cost $75–150, meaning your annual savings typically cover the inspection cost by mid-year. After that, it's pure savings for the life of your policy.
The New 2026 Mitigation Form
Effective Date
April 1, 2026 — All inspections conducted on or after this date must use the new OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) form.
What Changed
Updated discount tables, stricter documentation requirements for impact windows, roof coverings, and roof-to-wall connections, based on 2024 wind-loss mitigation research.
Transition
The old form (Rev. 01/12) is still accepted if your inspection was conducted within five years before April 1, 2026, with no structural changes.
Why the Form Was Updated
The updated form reflects the findings of a 2024 Applied Research Associates (ARA) study on residential wind-loss mitigation. The study analyzed real hurricane performance data to provide more accurate discount percentages based on actual loss reduction from various protective features.
The new form includes enhanced documentation requirements—particularly for impact windows, roof coverings, and roof-to-wall connections—to ensure that only verified, properly installed features qualify for discounts. This protects both insurers and homeowners by ensuring discounts are based on genuinely wind-resistant construction.
What This Means For You: If you had an inspection before April 1, 2026, it remains valid for the next five years (or until you make structural changes). If you're getting a new inspection in 2026 or later, your inspector will use the updated form automatically.
My Safe Florida Home Program
The state of Florida offers free wind mitigation inspections and matching grants to help homeowners strengthen their homes. This is one of the best financial resources available for wind mitigation improvements.
What You Get
Free Inspection
Certified inspector documents your home at no cost
Matching Grants
State pays $2 for every $1 you spend on approved projects (up to $10,000)
Low-Income Support
Eligible low-income households may receive 100% coverage of approved costs
No Obligation
Get the inspection for free—only apply for grants if you want to
Eligibility Requirements
- Site-built single-family home or townhouse in Florida
- Insured value of $700,000 or less
- Building permit before January 1, 2008
- Homestead exemption (primary residence)
- No income restrictions for inspection, but moderate-income limits for grants
Grant Structure
For most homeowners, the state provides a 2:1 matching grant— for every dollar you spend on approved mitigation work, the state contributes $2, up to a total of $10,000.
For low-income homeowners (earning at or below 80% of county median income), the state may cover 100% of approved project costs up to $10,000.
How to Get a Wind Mitigation Inspection
Find a Certified Inspector
Search for licensed wind mitigation inspectors in your area. You can find inspectors through:
- • Your insurance carrier's referral list
- • The My Safe Florida Home program (if using state grants)
- • Home inspection company websites
- • Local contractor networks
Verify they use the current OIR-B1-1802 form and are properly licensed.
Schedule Your Inspection
Contact the inspector and choose a convenient time. The inspection takes 1–3 hours depending on your home's size. You don't need to be home, but someone should be available to provide roof access.
The Inspection Process
The inspector will:
- • Examine your roof covering, age, and condition
- • Check roof-to-wall connections and fastening methods
- • Assess roof geometry and opening protections
- • Document secondary water resistance measures
- • Take photos and verify permit records
- • Complete the OIR-B1-1802 form
Receive Your Report
The inspector provides a complete report including:
- • Filled-out OIR-B1-1802 form
- • Inspection photos
- • Summary of qualifying features
- • Recommendations for additional improvements (optional)
Submit to Your Insurance Carrier
Send the OIR-B1-1802 form to your insurance carrier. They will update your policy with applicable discounts within 15–30 days. You should see the savings reflected in your next premium renewal.
Timeline & Cost: Schedule your inspection at your convenience (typically available within 1–2 weeks). Cost is $75–150, though My Safe Florida Home offers FREE inspections to eligible homeowners.
Common Improvements That Qualify
Not every improvement qualifies for discounts. The improvement must meet Florida Building Code standards and be properly documented on the OIR-B1-1802 form. Here are the most common qualifying improvements and their typical discount ranges:
Roof-to-Wall Connections
Up to 37%Straps, clips, wraps, or engineered fasteners that secure the roof structure to the walls. This is often the single largest discount available.
Impact Windows & Doors
20-45%Impact-resistant windows, doors, and glazed openings that can withstand wind-borne debris. All openings must be protected to qualify.
Roof Covering Age
15-30%Newer roof coverings (typically under 15 years old) that meet Florida Building Code standards receive discounts.
Hip Roof Design
15-25%Hip roofs (sloped on all four sides) are more wind-resistant than gable roofs (two-sided slopes) and qualify for discounts.
Secondary Water Resistance
10-20%Self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen underlayment applied directly to roof sheathing, providing protection beyond standard underlayment.
Roof Deck Attachment
10-15%Proper attachment of roof decking to framing with appropriate nail/screw spacing meets FBC requirements.
Hurricane Shutters & Bracing
10-25%Impact shutters on windows or reinforced garage door bracing provides opening protection against wind-borne debris.
Building Code Compliance
68%Homes built to the 2001 Florida Building Code or later receive an automatic minimum discount regardless of other features.
Documentation Requirements (Updated 2026)
The new OIR-B1-1802 form requires stricter documentation, particularly for:
- Impact Windows & Doors: Proof of impact rating and proper installation
- Roof Coverings: Age verification via permit records or roofing documentation
- Roof-to-Wall Connections: Attic inspection and photographic evidence of fastening method
Your inspector handles all documentation during the inspection. You don't need to prepare anything beyond allowing roof access.
Frequently Asked Questions
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