Short answer: A wind mitigation inspection documents the parts of your home that resist hurricane wind. Florida insurers must offer premium discounts for those features. The report is valid for up to five years unless the home changes, and a new roof is often the single biggest change you can make to it.
What the inspection is
An authorized inspector fills out the state’s Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, OIR-B1-1802. Your agent sends it to your insurer, and the insurer applies credits to the wind portion of your premium. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation updated the form effective April 1, 2026, based on its 2024 mitigation study.
According to the Office of Insurance Regulation, the form is valid for up to five years as long as no material changes are made to the structure and no inaccuracies are found.
What the inspector checks
| Feature | What they look for | Roof related? |
|---|---|---|
| Building code | The year the home was built or permitted and which code applied | |
| Roof covering | Permit date and product approval for the current roof covering | Yes |
| Roof deck attachment | Nail type, size and spacing that holds the plywood or boards to the trusses | Yes |
| Roof-to-wall attachment | How trusses tie to the walls: toe nails, clips, single wraps or double wraps | Yes |
| Roof geometry | Hip roofs resist wind better than gable roofs | Yes |
| Secondary water resistance | A sealed layer under the roof covering that keeps water out if shingles or tiles blow off | Yes |
| Opening protection | Impact-rated windows, doors, garage doors and skylights, or approved shutters |
Most of the form is about the roof. That is why a reroof changes the result so much.
Why a new roof is the best time to update your report
- The roof covering moves to a current permit date and current product approvals.
- When a roof is replaced on a site-built home, Florida code usually requires re-nailing the deck to current standards and adding a secondary water barrier. Ask your roofer to confirm both are in the scope and to photograph them before the covering goes on. The inspector cannot credit what they cannot verify.
- Roof-to-wall connections are sometimes upgraded during a reroof. If yours are, get photos.
After the final roof inspection passes, book a new wind mitigation inspection and send it to your agent. Credits usually apply at your next renewal or mid-term if your insurer allows it.
How much can it save?
It depends on your insurer, your county and your current credits. The Office of Insurance Regulation publishes the range of wind premium credits for existing homes, and each insurer files its own discount schedule. Ask your agent to run your premium with and without the new report before you choose between roof materials or add-ons like secondary water resistance.
Wind mitigation and My Safe Florida Home
The state’s My Safe Florida Home program starts with a free wind mitigation inspection for eligible homeowners, then may help pay for the upgrades it recommends.
Planning a reroof? Start with the price
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Frequently asked questions
How long is a Florida wind mitigation report good for?
Up to five years, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, as long as no material changes are made to the structure and no inaccuracies are found on the form.
Should I get a new wind mitigation inspection after replacing my roof?
Usually yes. A new roof changes the roof covering, and often the deck attachment and secondary water resistance sections of the form. An updated report lets your insurer apply the credits.
Does a hip roof really lower insurance?
Roof geometry is one of the features on the Florida wind mitigation form, and hip roofs are credited because they resist wind better. How much it saves depends on your insurer’s discount schedule.