Wind Mitigation Inspection in Florida: How It Lowers Insurance on a Miami Home

What is a wind mitigation inspection?

A wind mitigation inspection is a short report, on a state form, that documents how well a home is built to resist hurricane winds. Florida law requires insurers to offer discounts for those features, so on a Miami home the report can change the premium by a meaningful amount. With the hurricane season ending and insurers starting to cut rates in 2026, this is a good time to make sure your policy reflects what your home actually has.

By Erika Schell, P.A. | October 2026

Key takeaways

• A wind mitigation inspection uses Florida form OIR-B1-1802 and is valid for up to five years if the home has not materially changed.
• Florida Statute 627.0629 requires insurers to include discounts for wind-resistant features such as roof attachment, roof shape and opening protection.
• Buyers should order a wind mitigation inspection during the inspection period so the insurance quote, and the real cost of the home, is accurate before closing.

The seven features the report documents

The Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802) has long covered seven categories, as listed on the Citizens Property Insurance version of the form:

1. Building code. Whether the home was built under the 2001 Florida Building Code or later, or the 1994 South Florida Building Code in Miami-Dade.
2. Roof covering. Whether the roofing product and installation meet the code, with permit dates.
3. Roof deck attachment. How the plywood or deck is nailed to the trusses.
4. Roof-to-wall attachment. Toe nails, clips, single wraps or double wraps that tie the roof to the walls.
5. Roof geometry. Hip roofs perform better in wind than gable roofs and earn a larger credit.
6. Secondary water resistance. A sealed roof deck that limits water intrusion if shingles or tiles are lost.
7. Opening protection. Impact-rated windows, doors, garage doors and skylights, or approved shutters.

In Miami-Dade, part of the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, opening protection and roofing products generally need Miami-Dade or Florida product approvals, so keep the permits and approval numbers for any upgrade.

What changed with the 2026 form

A revised form, Rev. 04/26, took effect on April 1, 2026, according to Citizens Property Insurance. It keeps the core categories and adds fields for FORTIFIED Home certificates, the design wind-speed region and roof slope. Citizens says the new fields do not currently change credits, and that it still accepts the previous form if it was completed within five years before April 1, 2026 and the home has not changed. If your report is older, or you replaced the roof or windows, order a new one.

Why insurers must give you credit

Florida Statute 627.0629 requires residential property insurers to include actuarially sound discounts or credits for features that reduce windstorm losses. Since October 2023, insurers must also post those discounts on their websites. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation explains that the form must be completed by a qualified inspector and is valid for up to five years.

The discount applies mostly to the wind portion of the premium, so the savings vary by insurer and by home. A newer home with a hip roof, roof-to-wall clips and impact windows usually earns far more credit than an older home with a gable roof and no protection.

Who can do it, and what it costs

The form lists who can sign it: home inspectors with hurricane mitigation training, building code inspectors, general, building or residential contractors, professional engineers, architects, and others the insurer accepts. Industry sources put the typical cost at roughly $75 to $150 for a single-family home in Florida, often less when bundled with a home inspection. The state’s My Safe Florida Home program has offered free inspections and matching grants for eligible homesteaded homes; check its site for current availability, since demand is high.

Wind mitigation vs. the 4-point inspection

They are different reports. A 4-point inspection looks at the roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC, and Citizens requires it for homes more than 20 years old. It determines whether the home is insurable. The wind mitigation inspection determines how much discount you receive. On an older Miami home, plan for both.

How buyers should use it

Ask for the seller’s existing wind mitigation report on day one and order a new inspection during the inspection period if it is missing or outdated. Then the buyer gets real insurance quotes before the deadline, including the hurricane deductible and, if needed, flood insurance. Insurance is now one of the biggest monthly costs of a Miami home, so it belongs in the decision, not after it. For waterfront homes, add it to the list of questions to ask before buying.

How sellers can use it

A current report is a selling point. If you replaced the roof or installed impact windows, a fresh inspection lets buyers see the lower insurance cost in their numbers, which supports your price. It belongs in the disclosure package.

The 2026 insurance market

After several difficult years, rates are moving down. On September 22, 2026, the Office of Insurance Regulation announced approved rate decreases for several insurers, and Citizens lowered its average multiperil rate by 8.8% for policies starting July 1, 2026. Lower base rates make it even more important that your discounts are applied correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a wind mitigation inspection valid in Florida?

Up to five years, as long as the home has not been materially changed, for example with a new roof or new windows.

Does a wind mitigation inspection lower my insurance?

It can. Florida Statute 627.0629 requires insurers to offer discounts for wind-resistant features, and the report is how you prove them. The savings depend on the insurer and the home.

What is the difference between a 4-point and a wind mitigation inspection?

A 4-point inspection reviews the roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC to decide whether an older home is insurable. A wind mitigation inspection documents features that earn premium discounts.

Who can perform a wind mitigation inspection?

The form lists home inspectors with hurricane mitigation training, building code inspectors, licensed contractors, professional engineers and architects, among others accepted by the insurer.

Is my old wind mitigation form still valid after the 2026 change?

Citizens accepts the previous form if it was completed within five years before April 1, 2026 and the home has not changed. Other insurers may have their own rules.

Buying a home before next hurricane season?

I help my clients line up inspections and insurance quotes inside the inspection period, so the real monthly cost is clear before they commit. Reach out through the contact page or call (786) 801-4442. You can also download my free Luxury Buyer’s Guide. I work in English and Spanish.

Lea esta guía en español: inspección de mitigación de viento en Florida.

About Erika Schell, P.A.
Erika Schell is a Luxury Certified REALTOR® with The Keyes Company, affiliated with Forbes Global Properties, and an 8-time Top Producer at Keyes Doral serving buyers, sellers, and investors across Miami-Dade County. Florida Real Estate License #3366404. With a Master’s in Finance and more than 20 years of corporate experience, Erika brings the precision of a financial analyst to every luxury transaction. This article is general information, not insurance advice; confirm discounts and requirements with a licensed insurance agent. Sources: Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, wind mitigation resources; Florida Statutes 627.0629; Citizens Property Insurance, 2026 form changes; Florida OIR, September 22, 2026 rate decreases.