The State of Florida now REQUIRES Insurance Companies to offer REDUCED RATES for homes containing certain Hurricane resistant features. But insurance companies will not automatically give you wind mitigation discounts. Homeowners, like you, have to ask for these discounts and prove that you deserve an insurance discount by having a wind mitigation inspection performed by a qualified wind mitigation inspector.

If you live in the in an area that requires windstorm insurance, you are all too aware of the outrageous insurance premiums we must all pay just to live in our own homes. With the hurricanes that have battered the southern United States over the past few years, insurers have raised their prices to unbearable levels.

In order to mitigate this expense, you as a home owner have several options available to you.

The most effective tactic for reducing your premium is to have a wind mitigation inspection. What that is exactly, is a close inspection of your home that may reduce your premiums by up to 45%. Obviously, this is a very useful service, and one that will pay for itself in a very short amount of time.

Florida Statute 626.0629 requires insurance companies to offer Florida homeowners "discounts, credits, or other rate differentials" for construction techniques that reduce damage and loss in windstorms.

During our wind mitigation inspection, we will come to your property and look for key features of your home that show that it will be less likely to be harmed or catastrophically damaged during a hurricane or strong wind storm. Features such as concrete block construction, the presence of gable end bracing, a hip roof, the presence of a single or double roof straps, the presence of a secondary water resistance barrier, or shutter and opening protection will all qualify a home for wind mitigation certification. This allows our inspector to give your home a certificate stating that it is better equipped to endure such an event than a home lacking these features and, therefore, should not have to pay as much for insurance coverage. Since these types of structures suffer less wind damage, the insurers are willing to lower their fees. If that were not enough, the state of Florida mandates that insurance companies reduce their rates for homes with certain wind mitigation features.

Most existing houses already have features in place that will qualify them for wind loss mitigation certification. In Florida, homes built after 1994 in Broward or Miami-Dade counties and homes built after 2002 in the rest of Florida, typically have many wind mitigation features already built in. This means that the majority of homes that fall under this category will qualify for some discounts in their windstorm insurance payments.

What qualifies for a Windstorm Wind Mitigation Insurance Discount?

Many existing houses have one or more of these wind mitigation construction features and may qualify for some wind insurance discounts. In addition, houses built after 1994 in Miami-Dade or Broward Counties and houses built after 2002 in the rest of the state generally have many wind mitigation construction features and will likely qualify for significant wind mitigation discount credits.

A. Roof coverings, such as shingles that meet the FBC Requirements.

B. Roof decks that have been installed with large nails and close spacing.

C. Hurricane clips/straps that hold the roof structure to the walls.

D. Protection of Openings such as windows and glass doors with impact resistant glazing or other protection systems.

E. Secondary Water Resistance that prevents the roof from leaking if the roof covering is blown off in a windstorm.

F. Newly Constructed Homes built to the Florida Building Code since March 1, 2002

G. Homes built to the South Florida Building Code in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties after 1994.

Please note: Insurance companies may have more features that qualify for wind mitigation credits such as door and shutter protection. Some companies will give you a reduction for storm shutters or wood panels that have pre-cut for your windows. Even the 7 mil window film on your windows can reduce the cost of the policy.

You could already have several deductions in place, and all you need to do is have our certified inspector fill out the affidavit, and your agent can apply for a reduction.

In most cases if your roof was built or replaced on or after January 1, 2002 your roof would qualify for a reduction in premium submitting the proper form to your insurance company.

Our wind mitigation inspection fees are very reasonable, and quickly recouped by the monthly savings. They typically only cost $150 dollars (only $75 if you have it done while we're performing your Home Inspection) and take no more than 45 minutes. The typical savings realized by the home owner after having an inspection are 10% to 45%. When we come to your home, we look only for features outlined as qualifying for a payment reduction according to your insurance carrier. We will not report anything else to the insurance company.

Please call us anytime, from anywhere, Toll Free @ 1-800-863-8831

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