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Florida Insurance Guide · Pinellas · Pasco · Hillsborough

How Does Florida's Wind
Mitigation Discount Work?

A licensed inspector verifies seven wind-resistant features of your home — things like roof shape, roof-to-wall connections, and a sealed roof deck — and documents them on Florida's standardized OIR-B1-1802 form. Under Florida Statute 627.0629, your insurer must apply a discount to the windstorm portion of your premium for every verified feature. Some homeowners may see meaningful savings on the windstorm portion of their premium, sometimes ranging from 20–60%, depending on the home, carrier, and verified features.

Last updated June 2026 · Reflects the OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) form effective April 1, 2026
Part of the Tampa Bay Roofing Guide: This article connects with Insurance Coverage, Cost of a New Roof, and How Long a Roof Lasts. Use these guides together to evaluate condition, cost, coverage and next steps—not as substitutes for an on-site inspection or policy advice.
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What Changed April 1, 2026

Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation rolled out a revised inspection form, OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) — the first update in over a decade. Inspections performed on or after that date require stronger photo and permit documentation for every feature, plus new performance-based options for roof-to-wall connections. If your last inspection was completed before April 1, 2026, it generally remains valid for its full five-year window as long as your home hasn't changed.

The Seven Features That Determine Your Discount

A wind mitigation inspection takes about 30–60 minutes. The inspector photographs and documents each feature below on the OIR-B1-1802 form, which Florida insurers use to evaluate eligible wind mitigation credits.

01

Building Code Year

Homes built or permitted under FBC 2001 or later — or SFBC-94 in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone — start with a baseline credit before any other feature is checked.

Baseline
02

Roof Covering

The type and approval status of your shingles, tile, or metal roofing — and whether it meets current Florida Building Code product approval.

Moderate
03

Roof Deck Attachment

How your decking is fastened to the trusses — nail size, spacing, and pattern. Tighter, longer nailing patterns earn higher credits.

Moderate
04

Roof-to-Wall Connection

Whether trusses are toe-nailed, clipped, or strapped to the walls. Hurricane straps and double-wrap connectors earn the largest credit in this category.

High Impact
05

Roof Geometry (Shape)

Hip roofs — sloped on all four sides — resist wind far better than gable roofs and qualify for a higher credit. This feature can't be changed without major construction.

High Impact
06

Secondary Water Resistance (SWR)

A sealed roof deck — typically self-adhering peel-and-stick underlayment — that keeps water out even if shingles are lost in a storm. Simple yes/no credit, easy to add during a re-roof.

Moderate
07

Opening Protection

Impact-rated windows, doors, garage doors, and skylights — or approved shutters — on every single opening. This is all-or-nothing: one unprotected opening can zero out the whole category.

Largest Single Credit

Typical Savings Across Florida

Wind mitigation credits apply specifically to the windstorm portion of your premium — which often makes up 30–70% of a Florida homeowner's total bill.

Inspection Cost
$75–$150
Usually recovered within months
Typical Discount Range
20–60%
Off the windstorm portion of premium
Report Validity
5 Years
If no material changes are made

Your exact savings depend on which features your home has, your carrier's filed rates, and your location. The only way to see your real number is to compare your premium with and without the form applied.

The Easiest Time to Maximize Your Credits

A New Roof Is the Cheapest Path to SWR Credit

Secondary water resistance is one of the most commonly missed credits, yet it's one of the simplest to add. Installing peel-and-stick self-adhering underlayment during a roof replacement qualifies for the SWR credit at little to no added cost compared to standard underlayment installed separately later.

Documentation Has to Be Right

Insurers won't apply a credit they don't know about. After a re-roof, you need a wind mitigation inspection — separate from your roofing permit — to formally document the new roof covering, deck attachment, and underlayment on the OIR-B1-1802 form.

Tell Your Insurer Proactively

A new roof doesn't lower your premium automatically. Submit the completed inspection form to your carrier and request a premium recalculation — by law, they must apply the credits you've documented.

Getting Your Wind Mitigation Discount

01

Schedule a certified inspection

A Florida-licensed inspector, contractor, engineer, or architect can perform it. Some homeowners may qualify for a free inspection through the My Safe Florida Home program.

02

Review the completed OIR-B1-1802 form

Confirm every qualifying feature on your home — roof shape, attachments, underlayment, openings — is documented with the required photos and permit information.

03

Submit the form to your insurer

By statute, your carrier must apply the corresponding discounts once the verified form is on file. Ask for written confirmation of which credits were applied.

04

Re-inspect after major changes

If you replace your roof, windows, or doors, schedule a fresh inspection — upgrades don't lower your premium until they're documented on a new form.

Wind Mitigation Discount FAQ

How does Florida's wind mitigation discount work?
A licensed inspector verifies seven wind-resistant features of your home and documents them on the OIR-B1-1802 form. Florida Statute 627.0629 requires your insurer to apply a discount to the windstorm portion of your premium for each verified feature.
How much can a wind mitigation inspection save on Florida homeowners insurance?
Most homeowners with several qualifying features save 20–60% on the windstorm portion of their premium. Since that portion can be 30–70% of a total Florida policy, the real dollar savings are often substantial — opening protection is usually the single largest credit.
What changed with Florida's wind mitigation form in 2026?
The OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) form became mandatory for inspections performed on or after April 1, 2026. It requires tighter photo and permit documentation and adds new performance-based options for roof-to-wall connections. Older valid reports keep their five-year window.
How long is a Florida wind mitigation inspection valid?
Up to five years, as long as no material changes are made to the home and the form has no inaccuracies. A new roof, windows, or doors during that period is a good reason to re-inspect sooner.
Does installing a new roof automatically lower my premium?
No. A new roof only lowers your premium once a wind mitigation inspection documents it and you submit the form to your insurer. The improvement itself doesn't change your rate until it's formally verified.
Can Next Level Roofing help with my wind mitigation inspection?
We install peel-and-stick secondary water resistance underlayment on every roof replacement at no extra charge, and we can help coordinate a qualified wind mitigation inspection after your new roof is installed.

Replacing Your Roof?
Get the Credit Built In.

Every roof we install includes full peel-and-stick underlayment — the easiest way to qualify for the secondary water resistance discount. Let's talk about your new roof and your insurance savings together.

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Pinellas · Pasco · Hillsborough
This page is provided for general educational purposes and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice. Wind mitigation discounts depend on your specific policy, carrier, and the verified features of your home. Always confirm current discount amounts and eligibility with your insurance carrier or a licensed wind mitigation inspector. Next Level Roofing Services installs code-compliant roofing systems designed to support wind mitigation credits. Florida License #CCC16654650.
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