Of all the inspections we perform in Cape Coral and Southwest Florida, the Wind Mitigation inspection is the one homeowners are most surprised by — because it's the one that can actually put money back in their pocket every single year, not just document a problem.
What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
A Wind Mitigation inspection documents the storm-resistant construction features already built into your home — things like your roof shape, roof-to-wall connections, opening protection (shutters/impact windows), and roof covering age. The findings are recorded on Florida's official Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802), which every Florida property insurer is required by state law to accept and use when calculating your premium.
Why It Can Lower Your Premium
Florida insurers price wind/hurricane risk into every policy. A home with a hip roof, properly nailed or clipped roof-to-wall connections, and impact-rated windows is measurably less likely to suffer major wind damage than one without those features — so insurers are required to discount accordingly. Depending on your home's specific features and your carrier, savings commonly range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars a year. The inspection typically costs far less than a single year's discount, which is why most homeowners see it pay for itself immediately.
What Gets Checked
- Roof covering type and age — including the permit date and product approval number when available.
- Roof deck attachment — how the roof sheathing is fastened to the trusses.
- Roof-to-wall connection — toe nails, clips, single wraps, or double wraps; this is one of the biggest discount drivers.
- Roof shape — hip roofs generally qualify for a discount that gable roofs do not.
- Secondary water resistance (SWR) — a sealed roof deck that keeps water out even if shingles are lost.
- Opening protection — shutters, impact-rated windows and doors, or garage door reinforcement.
Do You Need Any Documents Beforehand?
Not necessarily, but if you have them, they help: a roof permit, a product approval (NOA/FL#) for your roof covering, or manufacturer documentation for impact windows/shutters can support a higher discount tier where the visual evidence alone is inconclusive. If you don't have these on hand, we can still complete most of the form from a visual inspection — we'll simply note what can and can't be verified.
How Long Does It Take, and What Does It Cost?
Most Wind Mitigation inspections take about 30 minutes on-site. In Cape Coral and Lee County, a standalone Wind Mitigation Inspection is $125. Since it's often needed alongside a 4-Point Inspection for the same insurance renewal, our 4-Point + Wind Mitigation Combo is $250 — one visit, both reports, $25 in savings.
How Long Is the Report Valid?
Under Florida law, a Wind Mitigation report is valid for up to five years, as long as no material changes have been made to the home (like a new roof) and no inaccuracies are found on the form. That means one inspection can keep saving you money at every renewal for years.
What Happens After the Inspection
You'll receive a completed, signed OIR-B1-1802 form with photo documentation, typically within 24 hours. Send it directly to your insurance agent — most carriers will re-run your premium calculation as soon as they receive it.
Serving Cape Coral and Southwest Florida
We inspect homes throughout Cape Coral, Lee County, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Naples, Bonita Springs, and Sarasota, with same-week scheduling including evenings and weekends. Se habla Español.