If you own a home in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Fernandina Beach, or anywhere in Northeast Florida, you’ve probably noticed your homeowners insurance bill isn’t getting any smaller. One of the easiest ways to push back on that is a wind mitigation inspection. Your roof is a big part of what that inspection looks at.

What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

It’s a short inspection that documents the features of your home that help it hold up in high winds. The results go on a standard Florida form that your insurance company uses to decide whether you qualify for wind discounts. Florida law requires insurers to offer these discounts, and for many homeowners the savings are significant.

The inspection usually takes less than an hour and is done by a qualified inspector, such as a licensed home inspector, building contractor, or engineer.

What the Inspector Looks At

Most of the form is about your roof and how it’s connected to the rest of the house:

• Roof covering. Whether your roof meets the Florida Building Code, which is often confirmed by the permit date and product approval.
• Roof deck attachment. How the plywood is nailed to the trusses, including nail size and spacing.
• Roof-to-wall attachment. Whether the roof is held to the walls with clips, single wraps, or double wraps. Stronger connections usually mean bigger discounts.
• Roof shape. Hip roofs, where all sides slope down, tend to handle wind better than gable roofs and may earn a discount.
• Secondary water resistance. An extra layer that helps keep water out if shingles blow off.
• Opening protection. Impact windows, hurricane shutters, and rated garage doors.

How a New Roof Can Help

When we replace a roof, the decking gets fastened to current Florida code, and the roof is installed with today’s underlayment and water protection requirements. That can change several answers on your wind mitigation form at once.

If you’ve had your roof replaced since your last wind mitigation inspection, it’s worth getting a new one. A lot of homeowners pay for a new roof and never update the inspection, which means they’re leaving savings on the table.

How Often Should You Get One?

A wind mitigation report is generally good for five years, as long as nothing major about the home changes. Get a new one after a roof replacement, after adding impact windows or shutters, or when you buy a home. If you’re buying, ask the seller if they have a recent report. You can read more about that in our post on what to know about the roof when buying a home in Jacksonville.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a wind mitigation inspection cost in Jacksonville?

Prices vary, but it’s usually a modest one-time cost compared to the potential yearly savings on your premium. Many homeowners make the cost back within the first year.

Does a new roof lower my insurance in Florida?

It often can. A newer roof may help with your carrier’s roof age requirements, and a new wind mitigation inspection may show updated deck attachment and water protection that qualify for more discounts.

What’s the difference between a wind mitigation and a four-point inspection?

A four-point inspection looks at the roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC to see if an older home qualifies for coverage. A wind mitigation inspection looks at how well the home resists wind to see if you qualify for discounts.

Thinking About a New Roof?

If your roof is getting older and your insurance keeps climbing, let’s talk about your options. Schedule a free roof inspection, learn more about roof replacement and insurance claim assistance, or contact us at (904) 910-3121.