Florida does not require homeowners to get a wind mitigation inspection, but they’re usually well worth the cost for most homeowners. That’s because Florida law does require insurers to offer home insurance discounts and lower deductibles for homes with verified wind-resistant features.
Is wind mitigation legally required in Florida?
Florida law (Florida Statute §627.0629) requires insurers to offer Floridians a home insurance discount and a lower deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in on a claim — for verified wind-resistant features verified through an inspection. Features might include roof-to-wall and foundation-to-wall anchoring and hurricane-rated doors. This is the closest thing to a "requirement" most homeowners will encounter. It's not that you must get an inspection, but that insurers must reward you if you do.
Heads up: If you're in one of Florida's high-risk coastal or high velocity hurricane zones (HVHZ), as specified by Florida building code, insurers may exclude coverage for wind damage from your policy entirely. In that case, you'll need a separate Florida hurricane insurance policy before a wind mitigation discount is even relevant.
What is the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802)?
The Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802) is Florida's standardized document for recording the wind-resistant features of your home. A qualified inspector fills it out, and your insurer uses it to determine which wind mitigation discounts you qualify for. For a full breakdown of everything the form evaluates, see our guide to what a wind mitigation inspection covers.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation updated this form effective April 1, 2026, so make sure whoever inspects your home is using the current version.
The Florida Chief Financial Officer Consumer Services website lists the following as acceptable inspectors:
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A licensed home inspector with at least 3 hours of hurricane mitigation training and 2 hours of continuing education each year
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A licensed building code inspector
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A licensed general, building, or residential contractor
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A licensed professional engineer or architect
How long does a wind mitigation inspection last in Florida?
A wind mitigation inspection is valid for five years, provided you don’t make any material changes to your home and no inaccuracies are found on your inspection form. However, if you make significant upgrades to your home to better protect against windstorm damage, you should absolutely schedule an inspection sooner, as you may qualify for steeper discounts on your Florida home insurance.
For instance, you should get a new wind mitigation inspection if you:
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Replace an old roof with one that uses higher-rated materials and is better attached
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Add new impact-resistant doors, windows, or shutters
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Install a hurricane-resistant garage door
You may also want to request a new inspection if you switch to a different insurer that requests a more recent report or after a major storm.
Unfortunately, you can’t transfer the inspection form to the new owner if you sell your home, nor can the seller of your new Florida home transfer their form to you. You’ll need to schedule a new inspection to become eligible for wind mitigation credits.
Wind mitigation inspection vs. 4-point inspection: What’s the difference?
If you're shopping for a new policy or your current insurer flags an older home for review, you may also be asked to get a 4-point inspection. It sounds related to wind mitigation, and homeowners often assume it's the same thing or that one replaces the other — it isn't, and it doesn't.
A wind mitigation inspection analyzes your home's storm-resistance features and helps determine if you qualify for any insurance discounts. A 4-point inspection, on the other hand, might be required by an insurance company to determine your home's risk and whether you qualify for coverage. This is mostly relevant for older Florida homes.
As the name implies, a 4-point inspection focuses on four core components of your home:
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Roofing
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Plumbing
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Electrical
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HVAC
The table below breaks down the differences between a wind mitigation inspection and a 4-point inspection.
|
Wind mitigation inspection |
4-point inspection |
|
|
Purpose |
To determine eligibility for wind mitigation discounts and deductible reductions for your home insurance |
To determine your home’s level of risk for an insurer |
|
What’s assessed |
Nine components that help determine your home’s resistance to windstorms, focused on the roof, walls, and openings |
Four core features that help determine the risk involved with insuring your home, including roofing, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC |
|
Cost* |
$75 to $150 |
$75 to $150 |
*Some inspectors may offer a slight discount for combined wind mitigation and 4-point inspections, often charging between $150 and $250 total.
How to get a wind mitigation inspection in Florida
A wind mitigation inspection follows a straightforward process. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, the portion of a Florida home insurance premium — what you pay for coverage — attributed to wind damage coverage can be as high as 70%, so the potential discounts are worth the effort.
Here's how to get a wind mitigation inspection:
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Hire a qualified inspector. As covered above, your inspector needs to be one of the approved types — a licensed home inspector with hurricane-mitigation training, a building code inspector, a contractor, or a professional engineer or architect. An unlicensed or unapproved inspector's signature won't count when you submit the form to your insurance company.
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Gather documentation ahead of time. Pull together anything that helps verify your home's wind-resistant features before the inspector arrives. This includes permits from past roof work, your roofing contract (which should list the materials and attachment method used), and product approval numbers for any impact windows, doors, or garage doors you've had installed. If you don't have these on hand, your roofing or window contractor can usually provide copies, or you can look up permit history through your county's building department.
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Make sure the inspector can access what they need to see. The inspector will need to get into your attic to check roof-deck attachment and roof-to-wall connections, so clear any stored items blocking access beforehand. They'll also need a clear line of sight to your roof from the ground or a ladder, and access to check windows, doors, and garage doors for impact ratings.
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Submit the completed form to your insurer. Once the inspection is done, submit the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form to your insurance company. Your insurer will review it and apply any eligible discounts to your premium.
Financial help for wind mitigation upgrades: The My Safe Florida Home program
The My Safe Florida Home program, administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services, helps eligible homeowners strengthen their homes against hurricanes through free wind mitigation inspections and matching grants for recommended upgrades.
Eligibility and funding levels shift from cycle to cycle, but the program has generally required:
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An active Florida homestead exemption on a single-family or qualifying townhome that is owner-occupied
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An original building permit dated before a set cutoff year, since newer homes typically already meet stronger building code standards
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The home's insured value falling under a maximum amount set by the program
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Household income at or below a set percentage of the county median (recent cycles have prioritized low- and moderate-income applicants)
When funding is available, eligible homeowners can generally apply for one of two grant types:
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Low-income grants: No matching contribution required, up to a program-set maximum (historically $10,000).
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Matching grants: The state contributes a set amount for every dollar the homeowner spends, up to a program-set cap.
Eligible upgrades typically include impact windows, doors, garage doors, and roof improvements.
One rule holds steady across cycles: you must receive grant approval before starting any work. Beginning a project early disqualifies it from reimbursement, and the program pays out only after the completed work is verified.
Because funding, eligibility tiers, and application windows change often — sometimes within the same year — check mysafeflhome.com for current details before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How long does wind mitigation last in Florida?
A wind mitigation inspection is good for five years, as long as you haven't made material changes to your home and no inaccuracies are found on the report. If you replace your roof, add impact windows or doors, or switch insurers, you may want a new inspection sooner to capture any additional discounts.
Is there a new wind mitigation form in Florida?
Yes. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation adopted an updated Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802), effective April 1, 2026. Inspections completed before that date on the previous version of the form remain valid through their normal expiration.
How much is a 4-point wind mitigation inspection in Florida?
A 4-point inspection typically costs $75 to $150 — separate from a wind mitigation inspection, which usually costs the same. Some inspectors offer a discount for booking both together, often bringing the combined cost to $150–$250.
What is a 4-point inspection in Florida wind mitigation?
A 4-point inspection isn't part of wind mitigation. It's a separate check some insurers require to assess a home's insurability, focused on four systems: roofing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. It's most often required for older homes.
