Insurance · Coastal Homeowners
Wind Mitigation Inspections — Cut Your Premium 20–45%
A wind mitigation inspection documents your roof's storm resistance and earns you insurance discounts most coastal homeowners never claim.
A wind mitigation inspection documents your roof's storm resistance and earns you insurance discounts most coastal homeowners never claim.
A wind mitigation inspection documents the storm-resistant features of your roof and home — and your insurer is required by law in most coastal states to apply premium discounts based on what the inspection finds. The inspection costs $75–$150 and takes under an hour. The discount it produces typically reduces your annual windstorm premium by 20–45% and remains in force until you make changes to the roof or openings. Most coastal homeowners who qualify have never had one done.
A certified wind mitigation inspector — licensed by your state's department of insurance — evaluates and documents six categories of storm-resistant construction features. Each feature that meets or exceeds the required standard earns a credit that reduces your premium.
In Florida — the largest wind mitigation market — the credits are mandated by the Florida Department of Insurance and can reach 40–45% of your windstorm premium for a home with all qualifying features. On a $3,000 annual windstorm premium, that is $1,200–$1,350 per year — every year the inspection is in force.
Other Gulf and Atlantic coastal states have equivalent programs: South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas all recognize wind mitigation features for premium adjustments. Contact your insurer or state insurance commissioner for your state's specific credit schedule.
In Florida, wind mitigation inspections must be performed by a licensed contractor, engineer, architect, or building inspector using the standard OIR-B1-1802 form. Most roofing contractors can perform them. The cost is typically $75–$150.
In other states, requirements vary. Your insurer will specify what credentials they require for the inspection report they'll accept.
One request. Up to 3 free estimates from licensed local contractors. Takes under a minute.
Some wind mitigation improvements have payback periods of 3–5 years in premium savings alone — before accounting for the damage they prevent. Here are the improvements with the strongest insurance credit return on the Gulf and Atlantic coast:
Florida's My Safe Florida Home program provides free wind mitigation inspections and matching grants up to $10,000 for qualifying storm hardening improvements — hurricane shutters, impact windows, impact garage doors, roof deck attachment improvements, and secondary water resistance.
Eligibility: owner-occupied primary residence in Florida, insured value under $700,000, homestead exemption in place. Applications at mysafefloridahome.com
The program is funded by the state and periodically depleted — apply at the opening of the application window each year. Grants are awarded on a first-come basis.
Every Gulf and Atlantic coastal state recognizes wind mitigation features for premium adjustments. Florida has the most structured program, but all 13 states offer some form of credit for storm-resistant construction.
| State | Program | Typical Discount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | OIR-B1-1802 Wind Mitigation Form | 20–45% of windstorm premium | Mandatory credits; My Safe Florida Home grants available |
| Texas | TWIA / private windstorm credits | Varies by insurer | FORTIFIED certification earns significant TWIA credits; ask your insurer |
| Louisiana | Insurer-specific credits | Varies; hip roof credit common | Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance recognizes mitigation features |
| Mississippi | MWHUA credits; insurer-specific | Varies | FORTIFIED Roof program earns premium credits; contact MWHUA |
| Alabama | FORTIFIED endorsement required by law | Up to 40% for FORTIFIED Gold | Alabama law requires insurers to offer FORTIFIED endorsement; major credits available |
| South Carolina | SC Wind and Hail credits | 5–25% for qualifying features | SC SAFE Homes program (when funded) provides grants for mitigation improvements |
| North Carolina | NCIUA; insurer-specific | Varies by feature and insurer | Hip roof and opening protection credits recognized by most coastal insurers |
| Georgia–NY | Insurer-specific wind mitigation credits | Varies | Ask your insurer what inspection or documentation they require for credits. Most recognize roof shape, deck attachment, and opening protection. |
FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) that goes beyond local building codes to achieve meaningful storm resistance. There are three levels: FORTIFIED Roof, FORTIFIED Silver, and FORTIFIED Gold — each adding additional storm protection requirements.
FORTIFIED Roof focuses on roof system performance — sealed deck, enhanced attachment, strong connections — and is the most commonly pursued level for existing homes. A FORTIFIED Roof certification typically costs $5,000–$10,000 more than a standard roof replacement but earns premium credits that pay back the investment in 3–7 years, depending on state and insurer.
Find FORTIFIED-certified contractors at ibhs.org/fortified
In Florida, insurers are required by statute to offer wind mitigation credits and must accept a valid wind mitigation inspection report. If your insurer has not discussed this with you, ask them directly. In other coastal states the requirements vary — but most major insurers recognize wind mitigation features and will adjust premiums accordingly when a report is submitted.
The inspection tells you exactly why — which features didn't meet the threshold for credit. Use that report as your improvement roadmap. Roof-to-wall connections and secondary water resistance are the two most actionable improvements for most existing homes. Get quotes, calculate the premium credit you'd earn, and compare against the improvement cost. Often the math strongly favors making the improvement.
Not negatively. A valid wind mitigation report establishes your home's storm-resistant features — which can actually support a claim by demonstrating the damage exceeded what these features could withstand (confirming it was indeed a significant storm event). It has no adverse effect on a legitimate storm damage claim.
Reports do not expire on a set schedule — they remain valid until the documented features change (new roof, new shutters, structural modifications). However, your insurer may request an updated report after a certain number of years, and post-storm inspections sometimes recommend updates. Updating after any significant roofing work is best practice.
Our licensed contractors document your roof's current condition — and can perform or refer you for a wind mitigation inspection to start saving on your premium immediately.
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