Wind Mitigation Inspections in Florida: What the Inspector Checks and Why Your Roof Matters Most

By Ray Miller, Owner · Insurance and Florida Law · Updated November 12, 2026

Few pieces of paper do more for a Florida homeowner's insurance bill than a wind mitigation report. The inspection is short, and most of what it records is about your roof. Here's what a wind mitigation inspection is, what the inspector looks at, and when it's worth getting a new one.

What a wind mitigation inspection is

Florida requires insurance companies to offer discounts for features that protect a home from hurricane wind. To claim them, a qualified inspector documents your home's features, with photos, on the state's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, OIR-B1-1802. The discounts apply to the windstorm portion of your premium, not the whole policy. An updated version of the form applies to inspections done on or after April 1, 2026.

What the inspector looks at

The Florida Department of Financial Services' consumer guide lists the features that can earn credits. Five of the six are about your roof:

• Roof covering: whether your shingles, tile or metal meet Florida Building Code standards.
• Roof deck attachment: the size and spacing of the nails holding the roof deck to the framing, usually checked from the attic.
• Roof-to-wall attachment: how the roof is tied to the walls, such as clips, single wraps or double wraps.
• Roof shape: hip roofs, which the state's guide calls the most wind-resistant roof shape.
• Secondary water resistance: a barrier under the roof covering that helps keep water out if the covering blows off.
• Opening protection: how windows, doors, garage doors and skylights are protected.

Who can do the inspection, and how long it lasts

The state's guide lists licensed home inspectors who have completed hurricane mitigation training, general, building and residential contractors, licensed engineers and architects, and certified building code inspectors. A completed form is valid for five years, as long as no material changes are made to the structure and the form is accurate.

Why a new roof can change your report

A re-roof is the one time your roof deck is exposed. That makes it the practical moment to improve deck attachment and add secondary water resistance, and the new covering goes on to today's code. The form describes your house as it was on inspection day, so after a re-roof, ask for an updated inspection and send the new form to your insurance agent.

What a wind mitigation inspection costs

Inspectors set their own fees, so call two or three and ask. If your home qualifies for My Safe Florida Home, the program pays for the inspection.

Tips before your inspection

• Ask your agent whether you already have a form on file and when it was done.
• Find your roof permit, product paperwork and job photos. They help an inspector confirm features that are hidden once the roof is on.
• Clear a path to the attic access so the inspector can photograph the deck nailing and roof-to-wall connections.
• Ask your agent which features earn credits with your carrier, so you know what an upgrade is worth before you make it.

Our FORTIFIED and wind mitigation page explains how we build roofs with these features in mind. If you're not sure what your current roof has, start with a free inspection.

Keep reading: My Safe Florida Home guide · Roof replacement · Jacksonville roofing