Wind Mitigation Inspection: Storm-Proofing Your Home, Saving on Insurance

For homeowners in high-wind or storm-heavy areas like Florida, a windstorm mitigation inspection is a crucial step toward reinforcing your home’s resilience against high winds, while potentially lowering your insurance costs.

Here, we’ll look at how a windstorm mitigation inspection can enhance your protection during extreme weather, what it involves, and why it’s a wise investment for anyone in a hurricane-prone region.

What is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

As the name suggests, a wind mitigation inspection assesses your home’s defenses against high winds, especially during hurricanes. Inspectors examine your roof, windows, doors, shutters, roof-to-wall connections, and overall design to assess how well your home can withstand powerful storms and identify potential wind-mitigation steps.

A certified inspector checks these home features to assess wind resistance and potential insurance discounts. They focus on variables such as current building codes, the home’s year of construction, roof shape and structure, roof covering, roof-deck attachment, secondary water resistance, opening protection, etc.

For insurance companies, this inspection determines the home’s risk level. Homes with wind-resistant features such as hurricane-rated windows or reinforced roofing may qualify for insurance discounts. In high-risk areas, these savings add up, making the inspection a smart choice for homeowners.

How Is a 4-Point Inspection Different from a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

A 4-point inspection is often required for older homes and focuses on four primary systems: electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and roofing. Unlike a windstorm mitigation inspection, which focuses on wind-resistant features, a 4-point inspection examines the general condition of all systems. In high-risk areas, some insurers require both types of inspections for a complete understanding of the home’s condition and risk factors.

What a Wind Mitigation Inspection Includes?

When you book an expert windstorm mitigation inspection, it includes two key steps. The first is a thorough inspection. Your inspector checks your roof and water barriers, as well as your doors, windows, and other openings.

Once this assessment is complete, you’ll receive a detailed report to share with your insurance company.

Why Wind Mitigation Inspections Are Important

Wind mitigation involves features and strategies that strengthen homes against high winds from hurricanes and other extreme weather events. An inspector verifies them to protect your family and your property.

For homeowners in high-wind areas, a thorough inspection is both practical and cost-effective. Reinforcing your home against storms enhances protection and offers potentially significant savings on insurance. The relatively low inspection cost makes it a worthwhile investment for most homeowners.

By investing in this service, you get insight into your home’s defenses while reducing annual insurance costs, bringing peace of mind and financial benefits. If the advantages and costs are important to you, an inspection offers value to homeowners in high-risk areas.

Should You Seek a Windstorm Mitigation Inspection for Your Home?

If you’re in a high-risk area like Florida, a wind mitigation inspection is strongly recommended even if it’s not legally required. Many insurance providers encourage it for homeowners in these regions. For condo owners, requirements can differ since condo associations often handle the inspections and upgrades, but it’s nonetheless wise to check with your insurer to confirm any specific needs.

Keep in mind that when buying or selling a house, a wind mitigation inspection isn’t the only inspection you’ll need. You’ll still have to get a full home inspection, since the scope of the wind mitigation inspection is limited.

How Wind Mitigation Inspections Can Save You Money

Taking proactive steps now provides additional safety and creates opportunities to save. By scheduling an expert windstorm mitigation inspection, homeowners can qualify for insurance discounts and save money on homeowner’s insurance. Savings depend on the inspection results, the state, and the insurer, with states like Florida requiring discounts or offering financial incentives for homes that rate well for wind resistance.

To take advantage of these savings, a certified inspector checks a home’s wind-resistant features and creates a report that supports insurance savings and safety improvements. These savings can significantly reduce a homeowner’s annual costs.

To see if you qualify, ask your insurance provider about the available discounts and the documentation you’ll need. Your inspector should provide you with the report and any required images or videos. In many cases, insurers rely on insurance automation software to streamline this process, allowing faster approval of discounts and ensuring that data from inspection reports is efficiently integrated into customer policies.

What Is the Cost of a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

The price of a wind mitigation inspection in Florida ranges from $75 to $150. Given the potential for long-term insurance savings, many customers find this a small investment for the protection it offers. After all, homeowners in some regions may find nearly 70% of their insurance payments going toward storm protection. The inspection pays for itself over time, especially considering the peace of mind it brings.

What Happens During a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

During the windstorm mitigation inspection, a professional thoroughly reviews the following features:

• Roof Shape and Structure: Roofs with wind-resistant designs, like hip roofs, are more durable than gable roofs. A hip roof is a bit more pyramid-shaped than the more common gable roofs.

• Roof Deck Attachment: Inspectors assess the roof deck’s attachment, considering factors such as nails and adhesives in relation to wind mitigation strategies.

• Roof Covering: The strength and type of roofing materials are important; metal and tile offer excellent wind resistance.

• Roof-to-Wall Connections: How your roof is connected to the walls greatly affects its stability in a storm, making it a vital component of any wind mitigation inspection.

• Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors: Hurricane-rated windows, shutters, and reinforced doors provide added protection.

• Secondary Water Resistance: An extra barrier against water intrusion is highly beneficial in heavy wind and rain.

These wind inspection elements collectively determine how well your home can handle high winds and could also qualify you for insurance savings. The goal is to assess how well each inspected feature will withstand high winds, especially in hurricane-prone areas such as Florida.

Completing a windstorm mitigation inspection identifies vulnerabilities before disaster strikes. You can then address any concerns to protect your home’s structure, reduce water intrusion during high winds and heavy rain, and improve safety.

Following a windstorm mitigation inspection, homeowners receive a report documenting key home features. This documentation helps homeowners qualify for insurance discounts in certain states.

After you windproof your home, be aware of local and state evacuation guidelines during severe storms. Learn more about an expert wind mitigation inspection.

How to Get a Wind Mitigation Inspection

In Florida and other high-risk areas, if you want to storm-proof your home and qualify for insurance discounts, a licensed professional must conduct a windstorm mitigation inspection.

For example, you’ll need to hire home inspectors, contractors, engineers, or architects. While some may assume roofers can perform these inspections, only licensed professionals, such as trained inspectors, are authorized to conduct the analysis and provide the necessary report for insurers.

It’s best to hire a certified home inspector with experience in assessing the wind resistance of homes. They should know how to assess features such as roof shape, openings, and attachments.

First, you’ll need to find a licensed inspector in your area, schedule an inspection, and provide any necessary documentation, such as permits or photos of recent work that may affect your roof or windows. All you need to do is book an inspection with a trusted home inspection company, and they will walk you through the rest of the process.

Book Your Inspection Today

WIN Home Inspection offers comprehensive services to identify potential issues before a storm hits. Schedule your wind mitigation inspection today to keep your home and family safe.

FAQs

How long does a wind mitigation inspection take?

Usually 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the home’s size and features.

Can older homes qualify for discounts?

Yes, older homes can qualify if they have wind-resistant upgrades like reinforced roofs or impact-rated openings.

How often should I get inspected?

Typically, a wind mitigation inspection is valid for up to five years. After this period, a new inspection may be required to continue qualifying for insurance discounts, especially if you’ve made structural changes or upgrades.