Wind Mitigation Inspections
There is a fairly new wind mitigation inspection form, revised as of 2/2012. The older form and this form are not very different. The newer 2012 Wind Mitigation Form is available on this site. Some insurance companies will not accept the older version of this form.
Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form & Report
Wind Mitigation Inspections: Florida homeowner's insurance companies offer premium discounts based on a home's level of wind resistance. These windstorm mitigation inspections are used to determine whether specific protective reinforcements are in place.
After the inspection, the homeowner provides a copy of the wind mitigation inspection report also known as the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form to their insurance company.
Once the insurance company receives the report documenting that the home meets certain minimum criteria for wind resistance, discounts are immediately applied to the homeowner's insurance policy.
The Florida Wind Mitigation Inspection Report
The Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form includes nine main sections, with detailed subsections within each section.
The nine main sections in the Wind Mitigation Verification Form are:
- Building Code: What building code was used to design and build the structure?
- Predominant Roof Covering:
- Roof Deck Attachment:
- Roof to Wall Attachment: What is the weakest roof to wall connection?
- Roof Geometry: What is the roof shape(s)? Porches or carports that are attached only to the fascia or wall of the host structure and not structurally connected to the main roof system are not considered in the roof geometry determination.
- Gable End Bracing: For roof structures that contain gables, please check the weakest apply.
- Wall Construction Type: Check all wall construction types for exterior wall of the structure and percentages for each.
- Secondary Water Resistance (SWR): Standard underlayment or hot mopped felts are not SWR.
- Opening Protection: What is the weakest form of wind borne debris protection installed on the structure? >Exterior openings include, but are not limited to: windows, doors, garage doors, skylights, etc.
Product approval may be required for opening protection devices without proper rating identification.
Some of the items on the inspection report, such as roof geometry, are beyond the control of the homeowner; and are not easily altered.
Roof geometry, item 5, refers to the shape of the roof. A hip roof is considered to be the most wind resistant roof style.
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Even though it may be impractical, if not impossible, to completely change the style of a roof, knowing that a hip style roof receives the most insurance discounts may help a prospective home buyer consider which home to buy.
All else being equal, a home buyer may consider choosing a house with a hip roof over a house with a gable, flat, gambrel or mansard roof style, because of the available insurance discounts.
Bigger Discounts With Approved Doors & Windows
Other items on the wind resistance and mitigation report, such as opening protection, are within the control of the homeowner.
Section 9, which addresses opening protection has numerous subsections and opportunities for possible insurance discounts.
The inspector is looking for glazed (glass) openings such as windows and doors that have specific ratings.
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Miami-Dade ratings for windows and doors is the best, but there are also discounts available for other types of ratings.
Homeowner's insurance in Florida is expensive, even when the home is not located directly on or near a coast.
A modest home approximately 1500 square feet, two miles inland on either coast, can easily cost between $1500 and $2500 per year to insure.
A favorable wind mitigation inspection may save a homeowner as much as $500 per year every year on their homeowner's insurance. Even a Gecko would be proud.
So, not only does the inspection more than pay for itself in the first year, but the cost of any improvements are offset by the insurance discounts.
Ask the Expert
Ask Stuart Tick, Home Inspector, your questions about home improvement, home renovation, do-it-yourself projects, home repairs, or anything else related to homes that you need to know.
