Most Florida buyers focus their due diligence on the home inspection, the survey, and financing — and understandably so. But one often-overlooked document can have a real, ongoing impact on your cost of ownership: the wind mitigation inspection. A change to the state form that drives those savings is set to take effect in 2026, which makes this a good time for both buyers and sellers to understand how it works.
What a Wind Mitigation Inspection Actually Covers
A wind mitigation inspection isn’t legally required, but Florida law requires insurers to offer discounts and reduced deductibles for homes with verified storm-resistant features. The inspector documents things like roof shape, roof-to-wall connections, roof deck attachment, opening protection (impact windows, doors, and shutters), and secondary water resistance on a state form, the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802). Your insurer uses that form to apply any discounts you qualify for.
A Revised Form Is on the Way
Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation has proposed adopting an updated version of the 1802 form, based on a 2024 statewide wind-loss mitigation study. The proposed effective date is April 1, 2026, though as a pending rule, that date could shift before it’s finalized. The specific discount tables tied to the new form are still under separate review, so it isn’t yet clear how savings will change for any individual home — that’s a conversation worth having with your insurance agent as the rule firms up.
What This Means If You’re Buying
A wind mitigation report doesn’t transfer with the sale, so if you’re buying a home, you’ll need your own inspection to claim any discounts. Budget roughly $75 to $150 for a standalone inspection, or $150 to $250 if you pair it with a 4-point inspection (common for older homes). The report is generally valid for five years as long as no material changes are made to the home, so ordering one during your due diligence period can give you a clearer, more accurate picture of what your homeowners insurance will actually cost.
What This Means If You’re Selling
If your home has storm-resistant features — a hip roof, impact windows, a newer roof — but your last wind mitigation report is old or you’ve made upgrades since it was completed, a fresh inspection before you list can be a worthwhile, low-cost way to give buyers (and their lenders) a more accurate insurance picture. It won’t change your sale price directly, but it can remove a point of uncertainty for a buyer weighing their total cost of ownership.
This is general information, not insurance, tax, or legal advice. Wind mitigation discounts and the specifics of the form change vary by insurer and are still being finalized — talk with your insurance agent and a licensed wind mitigation inspector about how this applies to your property.