What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection, and How Much Can It Lower Insurance in Palm Beach County?

A wind mitigation inspection documents the features of a home that help it resist hurricane wind, such as roof shape, how the roof deck and roof are attached, and whether windows and doors are protected. Florida insurers must offer credits for those features on the hurricane (wind) portion of a homeowners premium. There is no fixed savings percentage: the credit depends on the home, the carrier and how much of your premium is wind coverage. In Palm Beach County, where wind is a large share of most premiums, it is one of the least expensive reports you can order and one of the few that can lower the bill.

What does a wind mitigation inspector check?

The inspector completes Florida's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form and backs it up with photos. The form covers:

• Building code: the permit date and code the home was built under.
• Roof covering: type and whether it meets the applicable code.
• Roof deck attachment: the nails or screws holding the plywood to the trusses and their spacing.
• Roof-to-wall connection: toe nails, clips, single wraps or double wraps tying the roof to the walls.
• Roof geometry: a hip roof (sloped on all sides) generally earns more credit than a gable roof.
• Secondary water resistance: a sealed layer under the roof covering that helps keep water out if shingles or tiles are lost.
• Opening protection: impact windows, impact doors, rated shutters, skylights and garage doors.

Which version of the form is current?

The current form is OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26), required for inspections performed on or after April 1, 2026. It updated the building code, roof covering, roof deck, roof-to-wall, secondary water resistance and opening protection sections, and added recognition for FORTIFIED Home Roof, Silver and Gold certificates. Citizens Property Insurance has said it will still accept the prior Rev. 01/12 form if it was completed within five years before April 1, 2026 and the home has not changed. Other carriers set their own acceptance rules, so confirm with your agent.

How much can it lower insurance in Palm Beach County?

I do not quote a percentage, and I would be skeptical of anyone who does without seeing the policy. Florida Statute 627.0629 requires insurers to include actuarially reasonable discounts or credits for wind-resistant construction, and rates must separate hurricane coverage from everything else. What you save depends on the features documented, the carrier's credit schedule, your wind deductible and how much of your premium is the hurricane portion.

Here is what I tell buyers: the credits that tend to matter most are the roof-to-wall connection, roof deck attachment, roof shape, secondary water resistance and opening protection. A home with a hip roof, double wraps and every opening protected can rate very differently from a gable-roof home with toe nails and unprotected sliders, even in the same zip code. The only way to know is to get the report and have your agent run a real quote.

Do newer homes at Avenir or Alton automatically get the best credits?

Not automatically. Newer communities in Palm Beach Gardens, like Avenir and Alton, were built under modern Florida Building Code wind requirements, so many homes there have strong roof attachments and impact-rated openings. But credits are based on what is documented for each house. Two homes on the same street can rate differently because of roof shape, the garage door, a non-rated front door or skylight, or missing documentation. The inspector can only credit what can be verified, so keep every product approval and permit record.

If you are buying new construction, ask the builder for the product approvals for windows, doors and the garage door, and order the wind mitigation report before your first policy is bound. Our page on how buying new construction works in Palm Beach County covers the rest of that process.

Can you use the seller's wind mitigation report?

Often, yes. Ask for it as soon as you are under contract and check the date. Insurers commonly accept a report for up to five years if nothing material has changed, but the carrier decides. Order a new one if:

• The roof was replaced after the report
• Impact windows, doors, shutters or a wind-rated garage door were added
• The report is on the old form and your carrier wants the current version
• Anything on the report looks wrong when you walk the house

Do impact windows guarantee the top opening-protection credit?

No. For the best opening-protection rating, every opening generally has to be protected, including entry doors, sliders, skylights and the garage door. One unprotected opening can drop the rating. The inspector looks for labels or product approvals, so keep the paperwork if you upgrade.

How does wind mitigation fit with the 4-point inspection?

They answer different questions. A 4-point inspection looks at the roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC so the insurer can decide whether to write the home. The wind mitigation report decides which wind credits apply. On older homes you will often need both, and many Palm Beach County inspectors do them in the same visit as the general home inspection. Order them in the first days of your inspection period and send them straight to your insurance agent.

For shopping coverage, read our Palm Beach County property insurance guide for buyers. If you are weighing a newer home against an older resale, Avenir new construction vs. Palm Beach Gardens resale compares the cost to own. And if you want help reading a report before you make an offer, book a buyer consultation or call me at 561-352-3056.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a wind mitigation inspection in Florida?

It documents a home's wind-resistant features, such as roof shape, roof deck attachment, roof-to-wall connections, secondary water resistance and opening protection, on the state Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form so insurers can apply credits.

What is the current wind mitigation form?

OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26), required for inspections on or after April 1, 2026. Citizens still accepts the prior Rev. 01/12 form if it was completed within five years before that date and the home has not changed.

How much does wind mitigation save on insurance?

There is no fixed percentage. The credit depends on the features documented, the insurer's credit schedule and how much of your premium is hurricane coverage, so get a quote on the specific home.

Who can do a wind mitigation inspection?

Florida law lists licensed home inspectors with hurricane mitigation training, certified building code inspectors, licensed general, building or residential contractors, professional engineers and architects.

Can I use the seller's wind mitigation report?

Often, if it is recent and nothing has changed, such as a new roof or new impact openings. Insurers commonly accept reports up to five years old, but your carrier decides.

Published: June 17, 2026 | Updated: October 16, 2026