In This Guide
What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
A wind mitigation inspection is a standardized evaluation of how well your home is built to resist hurricane-force winds. It is governed by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) and documented on the official OIR-B1-1802 Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form. Unlike a standard home inspection or a 4-point inspection (which evaluates the roof, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing for age and condition), a wind mitigation inspection focuses exclusively on structural and material features that reduce your home's vulnerability to wind damage.
Florida law (Section 627.0629, Florida Statutes) requires insurance companies to offer premium discounts or credits to policyholders whose homes have verified wind-resistance features. The OIR-B1-1802 form is the mechanism through which these features are verified and communicated to your insurer. Without a completed form on file, you are almost certainly paying more for windstorm coverage than necessary — often hundreds or thousands of dollars more per year.
Who Can Perform the Inspection?
The OIR-B1-1802 form can only be completed by a qualified professional licensed in the state of Florida. Eligible inspectors include licensed building inspectors, licensed general contractors, licensed roofing contractors, professional engineers (PE), and licensed architects. The inspector must have completed the state-approved wind mitigation verification training course. Home inspectors who hold only a general home inspection license are not eligible unless they also hold one of the qualifying contractor or inspection licenses. When scheduling your inspection, confirm that the inspector holds the appropriate Florida license and has completed the OIR-mandated training.
What to Expect During the Inspection
A typical wind mitigation inspection takes 30 to 60 minutes. The inspector will examine the exterior of your roof from the ground and, when accessible, from the roof surface. They will enter the attic to photograph and verify the roof deck attachment pattern (nail spacing and size), the type of roof-to-wall connectors (clips, straps, or toenails), and whether a sealed roof deck (secondary water resistance) is present. They will also document your roof shape, window and door protection, and the overall wind speed design standard of the structure. All findings are recorded with photographs and submitted on the OIR-B1-1802 form. You should receive a copy of the completed form to forward to your insurance carrier within a few business days.
The 7 Inspection Categories (OIR-B1-1802)
The OIR-B1-1802 form evaluates your home across seven distinct categories. Each category is scored independently, and each contributes to your total insurance discount. Understanding what the inspector is looking for — and what answers yield the best discounts — helps you plan a roof replacement that maximizes your long-term savings.
Roof Covering
This category evaluates the type and age of your primary roof covering material. The form asks whether the roof covering meets the Florida Building Code (FBC) standards or the earlier South Florida Building Code (SFBC). Roofs installed or replaced after March 1, 2002 (when the FBC took effect statewide) using FBC-approved materials receive the highest credit. The inspector verifies the installation date through building permits, contractor documentation, or the age of visible materials. Asphalt shingles, metal panels, concrete tile, clay tile, and built-up roofing systems all qualify when installed to FBC standards.
Roof Deck Attachment
The roof deck is the plywood or OSB sheathing that forms the structural surface of your roof. How this sheathing is fastened to the trusses or rafters determines its ability to resist wind uplift. The inspector enters the attic to measure nail size and spacing. The ratings range from Level A (staples or 6d nails at 6-inch spacing on center) to Level D (8d ring-shank nails at 6 inches on center on the edges and 6 inches in the field, or equivalent). Level C and D attachments provide the largest discounts. Modern FBC-compliant installations typically use 8d ring-shank nails at 6/6 spacing, qualifying for the maximum credit.
Roof-to-Wall Connection
This is the connection point where your roof trusses or rafters meet the top plate of the exterior walls. The connection method determines how well the roof stays attached during high winds. The OIR-B1-1802 form categorizes connections from weakest to strongest: toenails (nails driven at an angle into the top plate), clips (small metal connectors with one to two nails per side), single wraps (a continuous metal strap wrapped over the truss with nails on both sides), and double wraps (two overlapping straps per connection). Homes built before 1993 typically have toenail connections, which provide no insurance credit. Upgrading to clips or straps during a re-roof can yield significant premium reductions.
Roof Geometry
Roof shape affects how wind forces interact with your structure. A hip roof — where all four sides slope downward to the walls — distributes wind loads more evenly and has no flat vertical surfaces for wind to push against. The OIR-B1-1802 form classifies roofs as hip (all slopes meet the wall at every edge) or “other” (gable, flat, shed, gambrel, or any configuration with vertical wall surfaces exposed at the roofline). To qualify as hip on the form, any non-hip feature (such as a small gable dormer) must be no more than 10 percent of the total perimeter length. Hip roofs receive a meaningful insurance discount; gable and flat roofs do not receive a geometry credit.
Secondary Water Resistance (Sealed Roof Deck)
Secondary water resistance (SWR) refers to a waterproof barrier applied directly to the roof deck sheathing, independent of the primary roofing material. If hurricane winds tear away your shingles, tiles, or metal panels, an SWR system keeps water from entering the structure through the exposed decking. Acceptable SWR methods include self-adhering modified bitumen membrane (peel-and-stick underlayment) applied to the entire deck surface, closed-cell spray polyurethane foam (SPF) applied to the underside of the roof deck from within the attic, and foam adhesive systems approved under FBC Testing Application Standard TAS 102. This is the single most valuable feature on the OIR-B1-1802 form for insurance premium reduction.
Opening Protection
This category evaluates the wind and impact resistance of all exterior openings: windows, doors, sliding glass doors, skylights, and garage doors. The form classifies protection into three tiers: no protection, basic protection (plywood shutters to Miami-Dade protocol), and hurricane-rated protection (impact-rated glazing or code-approved shutters meeting the large and small missile impact tests). To receive the maximum credit, all openings on all sides of the home must be protected. Even one unprotected opening disqualifies the home from the highest tier. While opening protection is not directly related to roofing, it is part of the same inspection form and contributes to total premium savings.
Wind Speed Design
This category verifies the design wind speed standard to which the structure was built. The Florida Building Code specifies design wind speeds for every location in the state, ranging from 110 mph in north-central Florida to 185 mph in the Florida Keys and coastal Miami-Dade County. Homes designed and permitted under the FBC (post-2002) or the South Florida Building Code (for Miami-Dade and Broward counties, many structures built after 1994) are generally engineered to withstand the wind speed specified for their location. The inspector verifies the building year, permit records, and code in effect at the time of construction. Meeting or exceeding the current design wind speed for your location provides an insurance credit.
Insurance Discount Breakdown
Florida law mandates that insurance companies provide premium discounts for verified wind mitigation features. The discounts are cumulative — each category on the OIR-B1-1802 form contributes independently to your total savings. A home with the best possible answer in every category can see total premium reductions of 40 to 45 percent on the windstorm portion of their policy. Here is how the discounts break down by category.
Estimated Discount by Category
| Category | Best Answer | Estimated Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Roof Covering (FBC) | FBC-compliant, permitted after 3/1/2002 | 3–8% |
| Roof Deck Attachment | Level D (8d nails, 6/6 spacing) | 3–6% |
| Roof-to-Wall Connection | Double wraps | 3–8% |
| Roof Geometry | Hip roof (all sides) | 2–5% |
| Secondary Water Resistance | Sealed roof deck (SWR) | 25–35% |
| Opening Protection | All openings hurricane-rated | 3–8% |
| Wind Speed Design | Meets or exceeds local design speed | 1–3% |
| Maximum Combined Savings | Up to 45% | |
Discount percentages are estimates based on published Florida OIR rate filings and vary by insurance carrier, location, policy type, and deductible. The secondary water resistance (SWR) category provides the single largest discount.
Real-World Savings Example
A homeowner in Jacksonville paying $4,800 per year for homeowners insurance with no wind mitigation credits on file replaces their 20-year-old 3-tab shingle roof with an FBC-compliant architectural shingle system that includes a sealed roof deck, 8d ring-shank nailing at 6/6 spacing, and single-wrap hurricane straps. After submitting the updated OIR-B1-1802 form, their premium drops to approximately $2,880 — a savings of $1,920 per year. Over a 25-year roof lifespan, that totals $48,000 in insurance savings alone, which in many cases exceeds the cost of the roof replacement itself.
FBC Roof Covering Compliance vs. Non-FBC
The Florida Building Code (FBC) took effect statewide on March 1, 2002, replacing the prior patchwork of local codes with a unified standard that includes stringent wind-resistance requirements for roofing materials and installation methods. Whether your roof was installed before or after this date has a direct impact on your wind mitigation inspection results and insurance discounts.
FBC-Compliant Roofs (Post-March 2002)
Roofs installed or replaced under a building permit issued after March 1, 2002 must comply with the FBC, which specifies minimum wind uplift resistance for roofing materials, maximum exposure dimensions for shingles and tiles, enhanced nailing patterns, and product approval through the FBC Product Approval system (or Miami-Dade NOA for Miami-Dade and Broward counties). An FBC-compliant roof covering is noted on the OIR-B1-1802 form as “FBC Equivalent” or “Compliant,” and it qualifies for the full roof covering credit.
The inspector verifies FBC compliance by reviewing the building permit (which will reference the FBC edition in effect at the time), the product approval numbers on the installed materials, and the overall installation quality. If the permit is not available, the inspector may be able to verify the installation date through the county property appraiser records, contractor invoices, or the manufacturer date stamps on visible roofing materials.
Non-FBC Roofs (Pre-March 2002)
Roofs installed before the FBC took effect were built under a variety of local building codes with inconsistent wind resistance standards. These roofs may still function adequately as weather barriers, but they do not meet the wind uplift, fastening, and product approval requirements of the FBC. On the OIR-B1-1802 form, a non-FBC roof covering is listed as “Non-FBC Equivalent,” which provides either a reduced credit or no credit at all, depending on the insurance carrier. If your roof predates 2002 and you are paying high premiums, replacing it with FBC-compliant materials is one of the most effective ways to reduce your insurance cost — and the savings will compound for the full lifespan of the new roof.
The 2002 Cutoff Exception: Miami-Dade and Broward Counties
Miami-Dade and Broward counties operated under the South Florida Building Code (SFBC), which included hurricane- resistance requirements well before the statewide FBC took effect. Homes in these counties built after September 1, 1994 (the post-Hurricane Andrew code revision) may qualify for the FBC-equivalent roof covering credit even if their roof predates March 2002. The inspector will note SFBC compliance on the form when applicable. This distinction is important — if your home is in Miami-Dade or Broward and was built or re-roofed between 1994 and 2002, make sure the inspector checks for SFBC compliance rather than automatically marking it as non-FBC.
Sealed Roof Deck (SWR) — The Biggest Insurance Discount Factor
If there is one feature that justifies the cost of upgrading during a roof replacement, it is secondary water resistance (SWR), commonly referred to as a sealed roof deck. This single line item on the OIR-B1-1802 form can reduce your windstorm premium by 25 to 35 percent — far more than any other category. The reason is straightforward: the majority of hurricane-related interior water damage occurs not because the home's structure fails but because the primary roof covering (shingles, tiles, or panels) is blown off, exposing bare plywood or OSB decking that quickly absorbs rain. A sealed roof deck prevents this by creating a second waterproof barrier directly on the sheathing.
Method 1: Self-Adhering Modified Bitumen Membrane (Peel-and-Stick)
This is the most common SWR method used during new roof installations in Florida. A self-adhering modified bitumen membrane (such as GAF WeatherWatch, CertainTeed WinterGuard, or Owens Corning WeatherLock) is applied directly to the clean, dry roof deck sheathing before any other roofing components are installed. The membrane creates a continuous waterproof barrier across the entire deck surface. Seams are overlapped a minimum of 3 inches and pressed to achieve a watertight bond. This method is the most reliable because it is installed during the re-roofing process while the deck is fully exposed, and it can be visually inspected by the building inspector before the primary roofing material is applied.
Method 2: Closed-Cell Spray Foam (SPF)
Closed-cell spray polyurethane foam applied to the underside of the roof deck from within the attic creates both a water barrier and insulation layer. The foam must be applied at a minimum thickness to qualify as SWR under the FBC testing standards. This method can be performed without removing the existing roof covering, making it an option for homeowners who want to add SWR protection without a full re-roof. However, it is more expensive per square foot than peel-and-stick membrane and converts your attic to an unvented (conditioned) space, which has HVAC implications. The inspector verifies SPF-based SWR by examining the underside of the deck in the attic.
Method 3: Foam Adhesive SWR Systems (TAS 102)
The Florida Building Code Testing Application Standard TAS 102 defines an approved alternative SWR method using foam adhesive applied to the underside of the roof deck. These systems use specific adhesive products that bond the deck sheathing to the trusses while simultaneously creating a water-resistant barrier. TAS 102 systems must be installed by trained applicators using approved products, and they require a separate inspection for SWR verification. This method is less common than peel-and-stick but can be a cost-effective retrofit option for existing roofs.
Cost vs. Savings: SWR Pays for Itself
Adding a peel-and-stick SWR membrane during a roof replacement typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 for a standard Florida home, depending on roof size and complexity. At a 25 to 35 percent discount on the windstorm portion of your premium, this investment pays for itself within one to two years for most Florida homeowners. If you are already replacing your roof, adding SWR is the single best return-on-investment upgrade you can make. Skipping SWR during a re-roof means you lose the opportunity until the next time your roof covering is fully removed.
Roof-to-Wall Connections: Clips, Single Wraps, and Double Wraps
The connection between your roof structure and the top of your exterior walls is one of the most critical points of failure during a hurricane. Wind uplift forces try to peel the roof away from the walls, and the type of hardware connecting the two determines how much force the joint can withstand. The OIR-B1-1802 form evaluates this connection by type, and each level provides increasing insurance discounts.
Toenails (No Credit)
Toenailing is the most basic connection method, where nails are driven at an angle through the bottom of the truss or rafter into the top plate of the wall. This method relies solely on the shear strength of the nails and the wood fibers gripping the nail shank. In hurricane- force winds, toenail connections can fail at uplift forces as low as 300 to 500 pounds per connection point. Homes built before 1993 throughout most of Florida typically use toenail connections. This provides no insurance credit on the OIR-B1-1802 form.
Clips (Moderate Credit)
A clip is a galvanized steel connector that wraps around one side of the truss and is nailed to both the truss and the top plate. Standard clips (such as Simpson Strong-Tie H2.5 or equivalent) provide uplift resistance of approximately 500 to 1,100 pounds per connection. Clips are easy to identify in the attic: they appear as small, angled metal plates on one or both sides of each truss where it rests on the wall top plate. Clips do not wrap over the top of the truss. They provide a moderate insurance credit — better than toenails but significantly less than wraps.
Single Wraps (Significant Credit)
A single wrap (also called a hurricane strap) is a continuous metal strap that wraps completely over the top of the truss or rafter and is nailed to both sides. The wrapping design provides resistance to both uplift and lateral forces, with typical capacities of 1,000 to 2,000 pounds per connection. Single wraps are required by the current FBC for all new construction and are the standard connection used in modern Florida roof installations. On the OIR-B1-1802 form, single wraps qualify for a significant premium reduction — typically 3 to 6 percent of the windstorm portion.
Double Wraps (Maximum Credit)
A double wrap uses two separate metal straps on each truss connection, providing the highest available uplift resistance of 2,000 to 3,500 pounds or more per connection. Double wraps are common in coastal South Florida and high-velocity hurricane zones (HVHZ), particularly in Miami-Dade and Broward counties where the former SFBC required enhanced connections. They provide the maximum insurance credit for the roof-to-wall connection category. Double wraps are visually distinguishable from single wraps by the presence of two distinct straps crossing over the top of each truss.
Can You Upgrade Connections During a Re-Roof?
In many cases, yes. When the roof deck is exposed during a full tear-off re-roof, your contractor may be able to add or upgrade hurricane clips or straps to the existing truss-to- wall connections. This is not always feasible — the ability to add straps depends on the truss design, wall framing, and accessibility — but it is worth discussing with your contractor during the planning stage. The cost to add single-wrap hurricane straps during a re-roof typically ranges from $500 to $2,000 for a standard Florida home, and the insurance discount can be $150 to $400 per year.
Roof Geometry: Hip vs. Gable
Roof shape is one of the seven OIR-B1-1802 categories, and while you typically cannot change your roof's geometry during a standard replacement, understanding how it affects your insurance premium helps you interpret your inspection results and set realistic expectations for your total discount.
Hip Roof
A hip roof has slopes on all four sides, with all edges meeting at the roofline or at a ridge. There are no vertical wall surfaces (gable ends) exposed to wind. This shape is aerodynamically superior in hurricanes because wind flows over the slopes rather than pushing against flat surfaces. Hip roofs also distribute wind loads more evenly across all four walls, reducing stress concentrations.
Insurance impact: 2–5% discount on windstorm premium
Gable Roof
A gable roof has two slopes that meet at a central ridge, leaving vertical triangular walls (gable ends) at each end of the structure. These gable ends are the primary vulnerability: wind pressure can push against the flat surface and, in extreme cases, collapse the gable wall inward or pull the roof framing away from the gable end studs. Gable end bracing (installed from inside the attic) helps, but gable roofs are still considered less wind- resistant than hip roofs overall.
Insurance impact: No geometry discount (marked as “Other”)
The 10 percent rule is important: if your home has a primarily hip roof with a small gable section (such as a gable dormer), it can still qualify as hip on the OIR-B1-1802 form as long as the non-hip feature does not exceed 10 percent of the building perimeter. Make sure your inspector accurately measures any non-hip features to determine whether your roof qualifies.
How Roof Replacement Triggers Re-Inspection
A roof replacement is the single best opportunity to upgrade your wind mitigation features and maximize your insurance discounts. When your old roof comes off and a new one goes on under a current FBC permit, nearly every category on the OIR-B1-1802 form can improve. Here is how the process works and when to schedule the re-inspection.
What Changes with a New Roof
A new roof installed under a current FBC permit automatically upgrades several OIR-B1-1802 categories. The roof covering changes to FBC-compliant, which qualifies for the full roof covering credit. The roof deck attachment improves because current code requires 8d nails at enhanced spacing patterns. If you add a sealed roof deck (peel-and-stick membrane), you gain the SWR credit, which is the largest single discount. Your contractor can also install or upgrade hurricane straps during the tear- off phase, improving the roof-to-wall connection category. The only categories that do not change during a standard roof replacement are roof geometry (unless you are structurally modifying the roof shape), opening protection (windows and doors), and wind speed design (which is determined by the original building design).
When to Schedule the Re-Inspection
Schedule your new wind mitigation inspection after the roof replacement is fully completed and your building department has passed the final inspection. Do not schedule the wind mitigation inspection before the final building inspection, as any corrections required by the building inspector could change your answers on the OIR-B1-1802 form. Once the building department signs off, contact a qualified wind mitigation inspector immediately — the sooner you submit the updated form to your insurance carrier, the sooner your premium reduction takes effect. Many carriers prorate the discount from the date they receive the completed form.
Documentation to Collect from Your Contractor
Before your contractor finishes the job, make sure you receive copies of the following documents, which will support your wind mitigation inspection: the building permit (with the FBC edition noted), the final inspection sign-off from the building department, a signed statement confirming that a sealed roof deck was installed (if applicable), photographs of the SWR membrane before the primary roofing was installed, product approval numbers for the roofing materials used, and a description of the nailing pattern and nail type used for deck attachment. These documents make the wind mitigation inspector's job easier and reduce the likelihood of any answers being marked as “unknown” or “unverifiable.”
Cost of a Wind Mitigation Inspection
A wind mitigation inspection is one of the lowest-cost, highest-return investments you can make as a Florida homeowner. The cost is minimal compared to the annual insurance savings it can unlock.
Typical Pricing
When you consider that the annual insurance savings from a favorable wind mitigation report can range from $500 to $2,500 or more, the inspection pays for itself within the first month in most cases. Even if your home is older and scores poorly on some categories, you will almost always save more than the cost of the inspection. There is virtually no scenario in which a Florida homeowner should not have a current wind mitigation inspection on file with their insurance carrier.
How RoofVista Contractors Provide Wind Mitigation Documentation
When you get a roof replacement quote through RoofVista, you are comparing pre-vetted Florida contractors who understand the wind mitigation inspection process and build it into their workflow. Here is how the RoofVista marketplace streamlines the process.
Quote Includes Wind Mitigation Features
Every RoofVista contractor quote in Florida specifies whether the proposed installation includes a sealed roof deck (SWR), the nailing pattern for deck attachment, the type of hurricane connectors to be installed or verified, and the FBC product approval numbers for the specified roofing materials. This allows you to compare quotes not just on price, but on the insurance savings each proposal will generate over the life of the roof.
SWR Photo Documentation
Contractors in the RoofVista network photograph the sealed roof deck membrane installation before the primary roofing material covers it. These timestamped photographs serve as permanent documentation of SWR installation and can be submitted to your insurance carrier alongside the OIR-B1-1802 form. This photographic evidence is especially important because once the primary roof covering is installed, the SWR membrane is no longer visible for inspection from above — only from within the attic in some cases.
Post-Installation Inspection Coordination
Many RoofVista contractors include a wind mitigation inspection as part of their roof replacement service or can refer you to a qualified inspector at a discounted rate. The contractor provides all necessary documentation — permits, product approvals, nailing schedules, and SWR photographs — directly to the inspector, which speeds up the process and ensures that every qualifying feature is properly documented on the OIR-B1-1802 form.
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Florida Wind Mitigation Inspection FAQ
What is a wind mitigation inspection in Florida?
A wind mitigation inspection is a standardized assessment of your home's hurricane-resistance features, documented on the OIR-B1-1802 form required by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. A licensed inspector evaluates seven categories: roof covering type and age, roof deck attachment method, roof-to-wall connection type, roof geometry (hip vs. gable), secondary water resistance (sealed roof deck), opening protection (shutters or impact windows), and wind speed design of the structure. The results directly determine your eligibility for insurance premium discounts, which can reduce your windstorm coverage cost by up to 45 percent.
How much does a wind mitigation inspection cost in Florida?
A wind mitigation inspection in Florida typically costs between $75 and $150 when performed as a standalone service. Many home inspectors and roofing contractors offer it as an add-on to a general home inspection for $50 to $75. The inspection usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Considering that the resulting insurance discounts can save $500 to $2,500 or more per year, the inspection pays for itself within the first month of reduced premiums in most cases. Some roofing contractors include a wind mitigation inspection at no additional cost when you hire them for a roof replacement.
What is the OIR-B1-1802 form?
The OIR-B1-1802 is the official Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form mandated by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. It is the only form that Florida insurance companies are required to accept for wind mitigation discounts. The form must be completed by a licensed Florida building inspector, general contractor, professional engineer, or architect who has completed the required mitigation verification training. It documents specific features of your home across seven categories with standardized answer options, and it must include photographs of the inspected features. The completed form is submitted directly to your insurance carrier or agent.
What is a sealed roof deck and why does it matter for insurance?
A sealed roof deck (also called secondary water resistance or SWR) is a waterproofing barrier applied directly to the roof decking (plywood or OSB sheathing) before the primary roofing material is installed. Methods include self-adhering modified bitumen membrane (peel-and-stick), closed-cell spray foam applied to the underside of the decking, or a code-approved SWR system. A sealed roof deck is the single most impactful wind mitigation feature for insurance discounts because it prevents water intrusion even if the primary roof covering (shingles, tiles, or metal panels) is completely blown off during a hurricane. This feature alone can reduce windstorm premiums by 25 to 35 percent.
What is the difference between clip, single wrap, and double wrap connections?
These terms describe how your roof trusses or rafters are attached to the top of the exterior walls. A clip is an angled metal connector with one or two nails on each side, providing moderate uplift resistance. A single wrap is a continuous metal strap that wraps over the top of the truss and is nailed on both sides, offering significantly stronger resistance to wind uplift. A double wrap uses two metal straps on each truss connection for maximum hold-down strength. Insurance discounts increase with each level: clips provide a modest discount, single wraps provide a moderate discount, and double wraps provide the largest roof-to-wall connection discount. The specific connector type is verified by the inspector through attic access.
Do I need a new wind mitigation inspection after replacing my roof?
Yes, you should always get a new wind mitigation inspection after a roof replacement. A new roof built to current Florida Building Code standards will almost certainly qualify for better discounts than your old roof. Specifically, a new roof installed after 2007 using FBC-compliant materials, with a sealed roof deck (SWR), proper roof-to-wall connections, and current wind speed design standards will maximize every category on the OIR-B1-1802 form. Many Florida homeowners see their insurance premiums drop by 30 to 45 percent after combining a code-compliant roof replacement with an updated wind mitigation inspection. The new inspection should be performed after the roof is fully completed and the final building inspection is passed.
How does roof shape affect wind mitigation insurance discounts?
Roof geometry is one of the seven categories on the OIR-B1-1802 form. A hip roof — where all sides slope downward toward the walls with no vertical gable ends — receives the largest discount because the aerodynamic shape reduces wind uplift forces and provides no flat surfaces for wind to push against. To qualify as a hip roof on the form, all slopes must meet the wall with no vertical ends, and the longest non-hip feature (if any) cannot exceed 10 percent of the shortest building dimension. A gable roof, which has vertical triangular wall sections at each end, receives a smaller discount because gable ends are vulnerable to wind pressure and can fail during hurricanes. Flat roofs receive no geometric discount.
How long is a wind mitigation inspection valid in Florida?
A wind mitigation inspection is generally valid for five years in Florida, though individual insurance carriers may have their own requirements. Some carriers accept inspections up to seven years old if no modifications have been made to the roof or structure. However, the inspection becomes invalid immediately if you make any changes to the roof covering, roof structure, openings, or other inspected features. After a roof replacement, you must obtain a new inspection regardless of when the previous one was performed. It is also worth requesting a new inspection if you have added hurricane shutters, impact windows, or other mitigation features since your last inspection, as these improvements can unlock additional discounts.