The Florida Wind Mitigation Inspection: What It Is, What It Saves, and How to Pass It
A wind mitigation inspection (form OIR-B1-1802) documents the storm-resistant features of your home and unlocks premium discounts that typically range from 20 to 60 percent of the wind portion. Most Florida homeowners leave thousands on the table every year because they never order one.
What does a wind mitigation inspection actually check?
The current form (OIR-B1-1802, revised 04/26 and required for inspections on or after April 1, 2026) covers the building code the home was built to, wind region, roof slope, roof covering, roof deck attachment (nail size and spacing), roof-to-wall connections (clips, single wraps, double wraps), roof geometry (hip beats gable), secondary water resistance (SWR underlayment), and opening protection (impact glass or shutters). Roof age is not a scored item: the form asks for the roof covering's permit date, product approval number or year installed. Your insurer applies a credit for each feature that qualifies.
How much can it actually save?
On a typical Florida home with a $4,000 to $7,000 annual premium, full mitigation credits cut the wind portion by 20 to 60 percent. That commonly translates to $800 to $2,400 per year in real savings. The inspection itself costs $75 to $150 and the form is valid for up to five years if nothing material changes on the home.
Which upgrades give the best return?
Opening protection (impact glass or rated shutters on every opening including garage doors) and roof-to-wall connections (upgrading clips to double wraps during a reroof) move the needle the most. Secondary water resistance is cheap during a reroof and adds meaningful credit. Roof geometry you cannot change without rebuilding.
Do I need to redo the inspection after a reroof?
Yes. Any reroof, window replacement, or garage door upgrade changes the form. Always order a new wind mit immediately after the work passes final inspection and submit it to your carrier with a request for premium recalculation. Ask the carrier to apply the credit from the completion date.
Can the contractor handle this for me?
We coordinate with licensed wind mitigation inspectors as part of every reroof and impact window project. The completed form goes straight to you and your insurance agent. No homework on your end beyond signing the carrier paperwork.
- →Form OIR-B1-1802 (revised April 2026) is valid for up to five years if nothing material changes.
- →Opening protection and roof-to-wall connections move the needle most.
- →Reorder the inspection after any reroof, window, or garage door work.
- →Typical savings are $800 to $2,400 per year.
- →We coordinate the inspector as part of the project.
VP of Dealer Relations at SunSmart Engineering. Hands-on experience across thousands of solar installations, with Enphase and Tesla solar certifications.
Related field notes.
How to Actually Win a Florida Insurance Claim for Roof Damage
Most denied roof claims in Florida fail for two reasons: insufficient documentation of pre-loss condition, and confusion between cosmetic and functional damage. A contractor walk before you file separates winnable claims from claims that will hurt your premium for years.
Attic Ventilation in Florida: The Quiet Upgrade That Cuts Cooling Bills by 15 Percent
A properly balanced attic ventilation system (1 square foot of net free area per 300 square feet of attic when balanced between soffit intake and ridge exhaust, 1 per 150 otherwise) drops attic temperatures by 30 to 50 degrees and cuts AC runtime 10 to 20 percent. Most Florida attics are underventilated or unbalanced and the homeowner has no idea.
TPO vs Modified Bitumen vs Metal: Which Commercial Roof Belongs on Your Florida Building?
TPO is the default for most Florida flat roofs (best cost-to-life ratio, white reflective surface, 20 to 30 year NDL warranties available). Modified bitumen still wins on small footprints and complex penetrations. Standing seam metal is the long-term play for owners who plan to hold the asset 30+ years and want hurricane-rated performance.