Florida Wind Mitigation: How to Get Home Insurance Discounts

What is a Florida wind mitigation inspection and how does it save you money?

Wind mitigation is essential in Florida. In fact, the state’s high winds and water intrusion are major contributors to Florida’s disproportionate amount of insurance claims. But you can protect your home by incorporating the same research-based recommendations endorsed by the:

You can find these recommendations in Florida's wind mitigation form — that is, the standard inspection document that helps determine how wind-resistant your home is.

Even better? A wind-resistant home can help you save on Florida homeowners insurance premiums. The state requires insurance companies to offer discounts when consumers take steps toward wind mitigation.

Florida isn’t the only place where wind mitigation may help reduce your home insurance costs. Louisiana, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama all have incentives for wind mitigation. Check out your state’s information in our home hardening guide.

What is the new Florida Wind Mitigation Form (OIR-B1-1802)?

The Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection form (OIR-B1-1802) is a standardized document used by inspectors to verify wind-resistant features of a home. If you have an older inspection, it may still be valid — inspections completed before April 1, 2026 on the 2012 form are still accepted. But if you're getting a new inspection, make sure your inspector uses the updated 2026 form.

The form evaluates nine features of your home's construction.

9 ways to tell how wind resistant your home is

Note that homes built in 2002 or after automatically qualify for basic wind mitigation discounts and might not require an inspection — though one may be needed to unlock additional savings.

The nine categories below are what inspectors evaluate — and where your discounts come from.

1. IBHS designation

The 2026 form now includes a section for a FORTIFIED Home designation from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). This is a voluntary certification program where homes are built or upgraded to higher wind-resistance standards. If your home has been certified, the inspector will note the level — Roof, Silver, or Gold. Homes with a FORTIFIED designation can qualify for an additional discount.

2. Region (wind zone)

The new form identifies the wind zone your home falls in based on the design wind speed for your area. Your inspector will classify your home as one of the following:

This classification helps insurance companies accurately assess the wind risk for your specific location, and it influences the discounts available to you. Note that homes in High Velocity Hurricane Zone counties are held to stricter construction standards than the rest of Florida.

3. Roof slope

Also new to the 2026 form, inspectors will record the steepness of your roof's primary area. A roof is classified as either:

4. Roof cover

The roof covering is what you see on the outside, and the material it’s made of helps determine how resilient it is to wind and water damage. The 2026 form now distinguishes between more roof covering types, including synthetic/composite tile and membrane as separate categories alongside the existing asphalt/fiberglass shingle, concrete/clay tile, metal, and built-up options.

5. Roof-deck attachment

Your roof deck is material underneath your roof covering that connects to the frame of your home. It can be attached through any number of nails, staples, and fasteners. The type of attachment, plus how far apart they’re spaced, helps determine how securely your roof is attached.

On the inspection form, roof deck attachment is rated from weakest (Category A — 6d nails or staples) to strongest (Category C — 8d nails at 6" spacing), with additional categories for reinforced concrete, spray foam, and other methods.

6. Roof-to-wall connection

How well is your roof attached to the walls? This is quantified on the form by nine options:

  1. Toenails
  2. Clips
  3. Single wraps
  4. Double wraps
  5. Anchor bolt
  6. Other
  7. Unknown
  8. No attic access
  9. Connection not installed as intended (new in 2026 form)

7. Roof shape or geometry

This is another way to say, “What is your roof shape?” The options on the form are:

  1. Hip roof
  2. Flat roof
  3. Other

8. Secondary water resistance

This is essentially an additional layer put onto homes post-2001 that provides additional water protection and is attached under the shingles. You either have it or you don’t.

9. Opening protection

This part of the inspection looks at whether your windows, doors, skylights, and garage doors can stand up to flying debris during a hurricane. The inspector checks every opening: glass windows, skylights, glass blocks, entry doors, and garage doors. If everything is properly impact-rated and secured, you could qualify for a meaningful discount.

Bottom line

Assessing your home’s wind risk and mitigating against it is an important step in protecting your home from the costs that follow dangerous storms and hurricanes. Budgeting for these upgrades now can ultimately save money on homeowners insurance in Florida.

If you are unsure if your home qualifies for a wind mitigation discount, talk to your insurance representative. They can go through the checklist to help you figure out how to get a wind mitigation inspection using the updated 2026 form.