Wind Mitigation Inspection Florida 2026: Save Thousands on Insurance
If you've installed impact windows — or plan to — a wind mitigation inspection is the step that unlocks your insurance discount. Without it, your insurer applies zero credit for your windows, even with full Miami-Dade NOA certification installed and permitted. This guide covers everything: the form, the categories, the savings, and the process.
$75–$175
Cost of inspection
Pays back in month 1 of savings
25–45%
Windstorm premium reduction
With all openings protected
5 years
Typical report validity
Before update required
What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
A wind mitigation inspection is a formal assessment of your home's structural features that affect its ability to withstand hurricane-force winds. A licensed inspector evaluates your home and produces the state-standardized OIR-B1-1802 Wind Mitigation Report form — the document you submit to your insurance company to unlock premium discounts.
Florida law (FS 627.0629) requires every residential property insurer in Florida to offer premium discounts based on wind mitigation features. The wind mitigation inspection is how you prove your home qualifies.
The OIR-B1-1802 Form covers 6 areas:
Roof covering, roof deck attachment, roof-to-wall connection, roof shape, opening protection (where impact windows matter), and secondary water resistance. Impact windows affect Opening Protection — the category with the largest single discount in South Florida.
The 6 Rating Areas: What the Inspector Evaluates
1. Roof Covering
2. Roof Deck Attachment
3. Roof-to-Wall Connection
4. Roof Shape
5. Opening Protection ← Impact Windows
6. Secondary Water Resistance
Opening Protection Categories (OIR-B1-1802)
The Opening Protection section of the wind mitigation form has four categories. Which category you fall into determines your insurance discount for this section:
| Category | Description | Typical Discount | Impact Windows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category A | All openings protected — FBC-approved impact products or approved shutters | 25–45% opening protection credit | Impact windows + NOA = qualifies |
| Category B | All openings protected — some products may not meet FBC minimum (pre-code) | 10–25% opening protection credit | Older impact products may fall here |
| Category C | Roof-deck level only protected (no window protection) | 5–10% credit (roof deck only) | No windows protected — minimal credit |
| Category X / None | No opening protection — standard glass, no shutters | 0% — no opening protection credit | Maximum insurance exposure |
Category A is achievable when ALL openings (every window, door, skylight, and garage door) are protected by FBC-compliant impact products or approved shutters. Partial coverage = Category B or C. No coverage = Category X.
Insurance Savings: Annual Premium vs. Opening Protection Discount
| Annual Windstorm Premium | 25% Discount | 35% Discount | 45% Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | $750/yr | $1,050/yr | $1,350/yr |
| $5,000 | $1,250/yr | $1,750/yr | $2,250/yr |
| $8,000 | $2,000/yr | $2,800/yr | $3,600/yr |
| $12,000 | $3,000/yr | $4,200/yr | $5,400/yr |
Windstorm premium is typically 40–60% of total homeowner's premium in South Florida. Discount percentages vary by carrier and county. These savings apply to the windstorm component, not the full premium.
What You Must Have to Qualify for Category A
All openings protected
Every window, every door, every skylight, and your garage door must be impact-rated or approved-shutter-protected. Even one unprotected opening drops you out of Category A.
Current FBC-compliant product approval
Products must have a current Miami-Dade NOA or Florida Product Approval number. Expired approvals don't count. Vieser Construction installs PGT, ESW, and Mr. Glass — all carry current NOA.
Professional installation
Products must be installed to the manufacturer's approved method and pass final inspection. DIY installation, even with NOA-certified products, does not qualify.
Permitted and inspected
A building permit must have been pulled and a final inspection passed. Unpermitted work does not qualify for wind mitigation credit and can cause insurance claim denials.
Step-by-Step: From Installation to Insurance Discount
Install impact windows
All openings — windows, doors, garage door — must be protected for maximum credit. Vieser Construction handles full installation with permitting.
Wait for permit to close
The county must perform a final building inspection and close the permit. This confirms code-compliant installation.
Schedule wind mitigation inspector
Hire a licensed inspector (home inspector, contractor, or engineer). Schedule after permit closure — not before.
Inspector visits and documents
45–90 minute visit. Inspector photographs all windows, checks product approval numbers, reviews permit documents.
Receive OIR-B1-1802 report
You receive the completed form — typically 3–5 business days after inspection. Digital delivery common.
Submit to insurance agent
Send the OIR-B1-1802 to your agent and request a premium re-rating. Do NOT wait for the next renewal.
Discount applied
Carrier processes in 2–4 weeks. Mid-term credit issued or renewal premium reduced. Confirm with your agent.
Common mistake: Scheduling the wind mitigation inspection before the permit closes. The inspector needs to see closed permit documentation. Schedule after final inspection passes — not immediately after installation.
Citizens Insurance Wind Mitigation Requirements
Citizens Property Insurance (Florida's insurer of last resort, covering ~1 million South Florida homeowners) has specific wind mitigation rules:
- Citizens accepts OIR-B1-1802 reports from all qualifying inspectors
- Citizens requires an updated report when a covered modification occurs (new roof, new windows)
- Citizens may conduct their own verification inspection on claims
- For Citizens, Category A opening protection can reduce windstorm premium by 25–40%+
- Citizens sends annual statements showing current wind mitigation credits — verify these match your report
Who Can Perform a Wind Mitigation Inspection in Florida?
Licensed home inspector
Must be licensed under FS 468. Most common option. Typically $75–$150.
General contractor
Florida CGC or CBC license. Can perform own wind mitigation on their installations.
Building contractor / Residential contractor
CBC or CRC Florida license.
Professional engineer (PE)
Licensed under FS 471. Higher cost but authoritative for complex properties.
Architect
Licensed under FS 481.
Building code inspector
County employees may conduct for certain programs (MSFH, etc.).
Verify any inspector's license at myfloridalicense.com before hiring. Do not use unlicensed inspectors — reports from unlicensed parties will be rejected by your insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a wind mitigation inspection cost in Florida?
A wind mitigation inspection typically costs $75–$175 in South Florida. Some contractors bundle it with installation packages. The inspection pays for itself within the first month of your insurance discount being applied — average first-year savings far exceed the inspection cost.
Does a wind mitigation report expire in Florida?
Wind mitigation reports (OIR-B1-1802) do not have a statutory expiration date, but most Florida insurers require an updated report if the property has been modified (new roof, new windows) or if the existing report is more than 5 years old. Citizens Insurance specifically requires updates after any modification that could affect the rating.
Who can perform a wind mitigation inspection in Florida?
Florida law allows wind mitigation inspections to be performed by: licensed home inspectors, general contractors, building contractors, residential contractors, professional engineers, and architects. The inspector must be licensed under the applicable Florida statutes. Verify credentials at myfloridalicense.com before hiring.
What is opening protection category A on the OIR-B1-1802 form?
Category A (formerly 'All openings protected - Miami-Dade NOA or FBC approved') is the highest opening protection rating on the Florida wind mitigation form. It requires all openings (windows, doors, skylights, garage doors) to be protected by products meeting the Florida Building Code standard for the applicable wind zone. Impact windows with Miami-Dade NOA qualify for Category A in HVHZ locations.
Will my insurance automatically update after I submit the wind mitigation report?
Not automatically — you must contact your insurance agent and request a premium re-rating based on the new report. Most carriers process this within 2–4 weeks. Some apply the discount mid-term (you'll receive a credit); others apply it at your next renewal date. Always follow up with your agent rather than assuming the update happened.
Do I need a wind mitigation inspection for every insurance policy renewal?
No. Once a wind mitigation report is on file with your insurer, the discount applies every renewal until the insurer requires an update (usually after 5 years or property modifications). You do not need a new inspection annually.