Michael Guadagna - Licensed Home Inspector

Wind Mitigation Inspections

A Wind Mitigation Inspection is a valuable inspection that may reduce your windstorm insurance. Wind Insurance discounts are available for building features that reduce damage during high wind events.Most existing structures have one or more wind resistive construction features and may qualify for some Wind Mitigation insurance discounts.

Wind mitigation discounts are justified because stronger, more wind-resistant houses have lower windstorm losses. Lower windstorm losses equal reduced costs for the insurance companies that are then passed on to the consumers. Over 90% of existing homes have one or more of the wind resistive construction features and may qualify for some insurance discounts.

If you have not had a Wind Mitigation Inspection done at your home, you are most likely paying too much for your homeowner’s insurance policy. This unique inspection usually takes less than one hour, and has been saving many Floridians thousands of dollars.

You may not be receiving the required wind mitigation discount.

The State Florida REQUIRES Insurance Companies to offer REDUCED RATES for certain Wind Mitigation features.

A Wind Mitigation Inspection is an inspection that verifies the construction details of your home and is used to qualify for discounts on your premium. The better your house is built to withstand Wind Damage, the more discounts you will qualify for each year.

Wind Mitigation features that are inspected include:
  • Roof Shape
  • Roof Covering (such as shingles that meet the FBC requirements)
  • Secondary Water Resistance (helps prevent the roof from leaking if the roof covering
    is damaged)
  • Roof to Wall connection (hurricane clips or straps that attach the roof structure to the wall)
  • Roof Deck Attachment (installed with large nails and close spacing)
  • Opening Protection (windows and doors with shutters or impact glass)

In addition, houses built after 1994 in Miami-Dade or Broward Counties and homes built after 2002 in the rest of the state generally have many wind resistive construction features and will likely qualify for significant credits.

We can perform these Insurance Mitigation Inspections that help you save money year after year on the wind portion of your insurance premiums. Every homeowner should take advantage of the benefits of having an Insurance Mitigation Inspection performed on their home. Call us and ask if your home qualifies for any wind mitigation discounts. After a few questions, you will know if it is worth the expense of the inspection. We have found it is almost always worth it!

We will document the Wind Mitigation features present in your home and produce a “Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form” for you to use in order to receive your wind mitigation credits on your Wind Insurance policy. For exact quotes or discounts, you must contact your insurance agent or the individual insurance company.

The Wind Mitigation Inspection must be performed by a Certified Wind Mitigation Inspector. Let us help you lower your windstorm insurance premiums. Contact us today. Wind Mitigation Inspections are available for all single family homes, townhouses, and condos.

Call us to see if a Wind Mitigation Inspection would be recommended.

Four-Point Inspections

A four-point inspection is often required when obtaining a new homeowners insurance policy or renewing an existing policy.

The 4-point insurance inspection includes a limited scope evaluation of the following four systems:
  (1) roofing
  (2) electrical
  (3) heating-air conditioning
  (4) plumbing

The focus of the inspection is to determine the approximate age, components, and general condition of these systems. Note: this type of insurance inspection should not be confused with a "standard home inspection" which is more comprehensive in regards to both detail and scope.

Insurance companies have become increasingly reluctant to issue Homeowner Insurance Policies on older homes (usually 25 years old or more).
Their common concern is that there may be conditions in an older home that could become a liability to them. For instance; a home with a roof nearing the end of its reliable service life may fail while under the policy and the homeowner may seek reimbursement from their insurance company for damages to the home or its contents. Similar concerns extend to the condition of the HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems in an older home. If these elements are in poor condition, in need of being updated or replaced or were improperly installed, they may fail and cause fire or water damage to a home.

Newer homes are assumed (by the insurance companies) to not have these problems as frequently as older homes.

The Insurance company will typically require that the inspections be performed by suitably licensed and qualified persons. All of our 4-point inspections are performed by a Florida State licensed Home Inspector. Note: there are many insurance companies and inspection requirements can vary and change at any time. You should consult with your insurance provider concerning any specific requirements.

Call us for your four-point inspection. We provide inspections throughout Central Florida.