A wind mitigation inspection is one of the few things a Florida property manager can do that costs $75–$175 and potentially saves thousands of dollars per year in insurance premiums. Yet a significant portion of Florida landlords have never had one done — or had one done years ago and never updated it after re-roofing or adding opening protection.
This guide covers exactly what a wind mitigation inspection evaluates, who is qualified to perform one, what the OIR-B1-1802 form results mean for your premium, and when to get one done for properties in your portfolio.
What a Wind Mitigation Inspection Is — and Is Not
A wind mitigation inspection evaluates specific structural features of a property that affect how well it resists hurricane-force winds. The results are submitted to your insurance carrier on Florida's standard form — the OIR-B1-1802 (Office of Insurance Regulation Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form) — and the carrier uses those results to calculate wind premium discounts.
It is not the same as a 4-point inspection, which evaluates the roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems for insurability purposes. A 4-point tells the insurer whether to accept a risk. A wind mitigation inspection tells them how much to discount the wind premium for an accepted risk. Many property managers confuse the two — both may be required, but they serve completely different functions.
Wind mitigation inspections are also not home inspections. They take about 30–60 minutes, focus entirely on the roof and openings, and require the inspector to access the attic to verify roof deck attachment.
Who Can Perform a Wind Mitigation Inspection in Florida
Florida law specifies which license types are authorized to perform wind mitigation inspections and sign the OIR-B1-1802 form:
- Florida-licensed building contractors (CBC or CGC license)
- Florida-licensed home inspectors (InterNACHI or ASHI credentials are common but the state license is what matters)
- Professional engineers (PE) licensed in Florida
- Florida-licensed architects
Before scheduling an inspection, verify the inspector's license at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) at myfloridalicense.com. Unlicensed inspections are invalid — carriers will reject them and you will have paid for nothing.
Cost ranges from $75 for a simple single-family home to $175 for a larger property or an inspection combined with a 4-point. Some carriers send their own inspectors; others accept any licensed inspection that meets form requirements.
The Seven Elements on the OIR-B1-1802 Form
The form evaluates seven specific structural features. Understanding what each one means — and which ones have the largest premium impact — helps you identify properties where upgrades may pay off.
1. Building Code Version
Properties built after the 2001 Florida Building Code took effect (March 1, 2002) were built to stricter wind-resistance standards. Post-FBC construction generally qualifies for a base discount just from the code year. Pre-2002 properties that were renovated to FBC standards may also qualify depending on the scope of the renovation.
2. Roof Shape
This is often the single largest discount driver. A hip roof — where all four sides slope upward to a ridge — performs significantly better in high winds than a gable roof, where two vertical triangular ends face into the wind. Hip roofs qualify for the maximum discount in this category; gable roofs do not.
The discount difference between a hip and gable roof on the same property can reach 20–35% on the wind premium. If you manage properties with gable roofs, note that adding hip-style hip caps during a re-roofing does not change the structural roof shape — the underlying framing must be hip-shaped.
3. Roof Deck Attachment
Inspectors access the attic to evaluate how the roof decking (typically plywood or OSB panels) is nailed to the trusses or rafters. The assessment looks at nail type (ring-shank or smooth-shank), nail size (8d vs. 6d), and nail spacing pattern (6 inches along the edges, 6 inches in the field — the "6/6" pattern — qualifies for the best category).
Stapled decking — common in construction from the 1980s and 1990s — gets the worst rating in this category and provides minimal discount. Many older Florida rentals have stapled decking and owners don't know it until a wind mitigation inspector checks.
4. Roof-to-Wall Connection
This evaluates how the roof framing is connected to the wall framing. Categories run from weakest to strongest:
- Toe nails only — worst category, minimal discount
- Single wraps — metal strap wraps one side of the truss
- Double wraps — metal strap wraps both sides
- Clips — metal clips attached to the truss and the wall plate
- Structural anchors (fully embedded) — best category, maximum discount
Roof-to-wall connection upgrades can be installed on existing properties — a structural engineer can specify the retrofit hardware, and a licensed contractor can install it through the attic without opening the exterior walls. Cost runs $500–$3,000 depending on the scope, and the premium savings often recovers that cost within 2–3 years.
5. Roof Cover
The type of roofing material and how it is attached. FBC-compliant roof covers (certain shingles, tile, and metal roofing installed per manufacturer specifications) receive the best rating. The inspector also looks for a secondary water resistance layer beneath the primary roofing.
6. Secondary Water Resistance (SWR)
This is one of the highest-value features you can add during a re-roofing. SWR is a self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen membrane (peel-and-stick underlayment) applied directly to the roof deck before the primary roofing material. If the primary roofing is damaged or blown off in a storm, the SWR provides a secondary watertight layer that significantly reduces interior water damage.
SWR is required by the current Florida Building Code, so any roof replaced after the code adoption qualifies. For older roofs without SWR, it can be added during re-roofing for a modest additional cost ($0.30–$0.80 per square foot) — and the insurance discount frequently exceeds that cost in the first policy year alone.
7. Opening Protection
Opening protection evaluates whether windows, exterior doors, and skylights are protected against wind-borne debris. Categories:
- No protection — no discount
- Hurricane shutters (some openings) — partial discount
- Hurricane shutters (all openings) — significant discount
- Impact-resistant glass (all openings) — maximum discount, often comparable to full shutter protection
Garage doors require specific hurricane-rated hardware to qualify. Standard garage doors do not, even if they have shutters on other openings — many property managers miss this detail.
How Much Can a Wind Mitigation Inspection Save?
The honest answer is: it depends entirely on what the inspection finds. But here are realistic ranges for Florida landlord policies in 2026:
- Hip roof only (vs. gable): 20–35% reduction on the wind portion of the premium
- Secondary water resistance: 5–15% discount
- Opening protection (all openings, shutters or impact): 15–30% discount
- Roof deck attachment (6/6 nailing, ring-shank): 5–15% discount
- Roof-to-wall connection (clips or straps): 5–20% discount
A property with a hip roof, SWR, full opening protection, and good deck attachment can see total wind premium discounts of 40–60% compared to a property with no qualifying features. On a policy with a $4,000 annual wind premium, that's $1,600–$2,400 per year in savings.
For Citizens Property Insurance specifically, wind mitigation discounts are applied through a point-based system codified in the Citizens rating manual. The discounts are not negotiable — they are applied automatically based on the form results. For private carriers, discount structures vary but all are required by Florida law to offer credits for mitigation features.
Wind mitigation inspections are valid for five years. However, if you re-roof a property — even a partial re-roof — your existing inspection may no longer accurately reflect the property's features. A new roof may add SWR, improve deck attachment, or change the qualifying roof cover. Schedule a new inspection within 60 days of roof completion and submit it to your carrier before your next renewal to capture the updated discounts.
When to Get a Wind Mitigation Inspection
Before insurance renewal. Submit an updated inspection at least 30 days before your renewal date so the carrier can process the discounts for the new policy term. Don't wait until after renewal — you can't retroactively apply discounts to a policy already in force.
After re-roofing. A new roof almost always changes the inspection results. SWR becomes easier to add during re-roofing. The roof cover itself may qualify for better credits. Do not assume your old inspection still applies.
When acquiring a property. Before closing, ask the seller for the most recent wind mitigation inspection. If one exists, review it. If it's more than four years old or was done before a re-roof, budget $100–$150 for a new inspection immediately after closing.
When adding opening protection. If you install hurricane shutters or impact windows on a property that previously had no protection, update the inspection immediately. The opening protection category is often the largest single discount driver on the form.
How to Use the Results With Your Insurance Broker
Once you have the completed OIR-B1-1802 form, submit it directly to your insurance broker or carrier — don't wait for them to ask. Provide a digital copy and keep your own copy in the property file. When you shop coverage at renewal, include the current inspection with your submission package to every carrier you approach.
For properties with gable roofs, minimal opening protection, or pre-2002 construction and no retrofits, a wind mitigation inspection may produce little or no discount. That information is still valuable — it tells you exactly which features, if upgraded, would reduce your premium and what the cost-benefit calculation looks like over a five-year hold period.
Track inspections and insurance documents across your portfolio
LossHQ keeps your wind mitigation inspections, policy documents, and insurance contacts organized by property — so nothing falls through the cracks at renewal time.
Start Free — No Card Required →Common Property Manager Mistakes With Wind Mitigation
Using an unlicensed inspector. Some contractors offer "free wind mitigation inspections" as part of a roofing sales pitch. If the person signing the OIR-B1-1802 does not hold a qualifying Florida license, the carrier will reject the form. Always verify the license before scheduling.
Forgetting to update after a re-roof. This is the most common missed opportunity. A re-roof that adds SWR and corrects deck attachment patterns can generate $500–$1,500 per year in new discounts. Owners who don't update the inspection leave that money on the table for up to five years.
Assuming the inspection covers the entire property. For a multi-unit building, the inspection covers the building, not individual units. The results apply to the building policy — not to tenant renters insurance or personal property coverage.
Not scheduling before Citizens renewal deadlines. Citizens uses strict renewal timelines. If you miss the submission window, the discount cannot be applied until the next annual renewal even if the inspection is completed during the policy term.
Wind mitigation inspections are one of the highest-return tasks a Florida property manager can perform. The investment is small, the process is straightforward, and the financial impact on a well-maintained portfolio can be significant. Make it part of your annual insurance review cycle — and update it every time a roof is replaced or opening protection is added.