August 18, 2026
Florida's wind mitigation inspection is one of the few inspections that can directly lower your insurance cost. Carriers offer premium credits for construction features that help a home resist hurricane-force wind, and the inspection documents those features on the state's standardized OIR-B1-1802 form.
If your home qualifies for credits you don't currently receive, a wind mitigation inspection can pay for itself many times over in premium savings. Here's what the form documents and which features matter most.
What a wind mitigation inspection is
The inspection is a short, focused visit — separate from a full home inspection — that documents specific wind-resistance features of the home's construction. The result is the OIR-B1-1802 form, which your insurer uses to apply applicable premium credits.
Even on older homes, a wind mitigation inspection often finds at least one qualifying feature. Many homeowners are paying for coverage that doesn't reflect features their home actually has.
Roof shape — hip vs. gable
Roof shape is one of the biggest credit drivers. A hip roof — which slopes on all four sides — generally qualifies for a larger credit than a gable roof, because the aerodynamic shape lets wind pass over more cleanly.
A gable roof with a flat triangular end wall catches more wind and typically receives a smaller credit. Some gable ends can be braced to improve their rating, which the inspector will note on the form.
Roof-to-wall attachment
How the roof structure is fastened to the wall framing matters. The form documents the attachment method — from toenails at the low end, up through clips, double wraps, and single wraps. Stronger attachments resist uplift better and earn larger credits.
This is a feature you can't see from the street; the inspector checks it in the attic during the visit.
Roof deck attachment and secondary water barrier
The form documents how the roof decking (usually plywood) is nailed down, because nail spacing and pattern affect how well the deck holds under wind uplift. A secondary water barrier — an upgraded underlayment that helps keep water out if shingles blow off — is another feature that can earn credit.
Both of these are typically verified in the attic during the inspection.
Opening protection
Whether the home's openings (windows, doors, garage) are protected against wind-borne debris affects the credit significantly. The form documents whether openings are protected by approved shutters or impact-rated glass — and whether the protection is for all openings or only some.
Full opening protection generally earns the largest credit. Partial protection earns a smaller one. If you've added shutters since your last inspection, it's worth getting the form updated.
How credits translate to savings
Each qualifying feature adds an independent credit to your wind premium. The combined effect can meaningfully reduce the wind portion of your homeowners insurance — sometimes by hundreds of dollars per year on a typical Florida policy.
The exact savings depend on your carrier, your home's features, and how many credits you weren't already receiving. The inspection form simply documents what's there; your insurer applies the credits.
When to get a wind mitigation inspection
It's worth scheduling when you're buying a home and setting up insurance, when you've added shutters or had a roof replaced, or anytime you suspect your current policy isn't crediting features your home has. The form is generally valid for several years, though carriers set their own renewal requirements.
Most buyers bundle it with their full inspection and 4-point so the insurer has everything at once. Call 727-291-3322 to schedule — we complete the OIR-B1-1802 form with photos, typically delivered within 24–48 hours.
Ready to schedule your inspection?
Call us with the property address and we'll give you a clear price before you book. No upsell, no pressure.