Florida law requires insurers to give premium credits for construction features that reduce hurricane damage. The catch is that carriers only apply those credits when the features are documented on a uniform mitigation verification form — the wind mitigation inspection.
Plenty of Southwest Florida homes qualify for credits that never get applied, simply because nobody ordered the inspection.
Key takeaways
- Credits only apply when documented on the state's uniform mitigation form.
- Roof-to-wall connections and opening protection usually drive the biggest savings.
- Reports are typically valid for five years — re-inspect after upgrades.
- Carriers weight the same features differently, so shop the report around.
What the inspector documents
An inspection takes under an hour and records a handful of specific things:
- Roof covering and whether it meets current building code standards
- Roof deck attachment — nail type, size and spacing
- Roof-to-wall connection — toe nails, clips, single or double wraps
- Roof geometry — hip roofs typically earn more credit than gable
- Secondary water resistance — a sealed barrier under the roof covering
- Opening protection — impact glass, shutters, rated garage doors
Where the biggest credits usually come from
Roof-to-wall connections and opening protection tend to move the number most. A home with double wraps and full impact protection can see a substantially different premium than an otherwise identical home with toe nails and unprotected openings.
The credits are also cumulative — several moderate ones together often matter more than chasing one big item.
How long the report lasts
A wind mitigation report is generally accepted for up to five years. Order it once and it can follow you through renewals and even a carrier change during that period.
If you replace the roof, install shutters, or upgrade the garage door, get a new inspection right away — the old report won't reflect the improvement, and the credit doesn't apply retroactively on its own.
When it's worth ordering
Order one if you've never had it done, if your last report is approaching five years old, if you've made any of the improvements above, or if you're buying a home and want to know the insurance picture before closing.
The inspection fee is modest and frequently pays for itself in the first renewal cycle.
Send the report to your agent, not just your carrier
If you work with an independent agency, the report is useful across the market: different carriers weight the same features differently, so the same document can produce different savings depending on where the policy is placed. Send it to us and we'll re-run it against the carriers we represent.
Florida homeowners insurance
Already have a report? Send it over and we'll re-shop it.
Frequently asked questions
This guide is general information for Florida consumers, not a policy or legal advice. Coverage terms vary by carrier and policy form — your declarations page controls. Last reviewed July 26, 2026.