Is your homeowners insurance renewal higher than last year, and has anyone asked you for a wind mitigation report?
A wind mitigation report is a short inspection form. It records the parts of your home that help it hold up in a hurricane. Carriers in Florida use it to decide which wind discounts you qualify for.
Here’s what the inspector looks at, how carriers read the form, and how to turn it into a lower premium.
What an Inspector Documents on a Wind Mitigation Form
The report is filed on one state form, the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Every carrier in the state reads the same form, so the inspector’s job is to fill it in with proof.
That proof is mostly photos. The inspector goes into the attic to see how the roof deck is nailed to the rafters. They look at how the roof connects to the walls, which is where hurricane straps or clips show up. They check the roof covering and its permit date. They also note any storm shutters or impact windows.
Only certain people can sign the form. Florida law lists them, including licensed home inspectors with hurricane training, building code inspectors, certain licensed contractors, engineers, and architects. You can read the full list in section 627.711 of the Florida Statutes.
Keep the finished report with your permit and roof contract. Your agent may ask for it again at renewal, and a buyer may ask for it if you sell.
The Categories Your Carrier Scores
The form was updated in 2026. Citizens explains the revised form, which took effect for inspections on or after April 1, 2026.
The categories your carrier reads include the building code your home was built or roofed under, the roof covering, and roof deck attachment. Deck attachment means the size and spacing of the nails that hold the plywood down.
Next comes roof-to-wall attachment. This is the link between your roof framing and your walls. The main options are clips, single wraps, and double wraps, and wraps are rated for more uplift. Simpson Strong-Tie’s summary of the new form breaks these options down.
The form also records roof geometry, since the shape of a roof changes how wind pushes on it. It notes secondary water resistance, which is a sealed layer that keeps rain out if shingles or tiles blow off. Opening protection, meaning shutters or impact glass, comes last.
The revised form added a few items, including roof slope and whether your home has a FORTIFIED certificate.
Turning the Report Into an Actual Premium Credit
A finished report doesn’t lower your bill by itself. Your agent has to send it to your carrier, and the carrier has to apply it to your policy.
Florida requires insurers to tell policyholders what mitigation discounts they offer. The Office of Insurance Regulation’s page on hurricane loss mitigation discounts explains that rule and links to the credit schedules. Discount amounts can differ from one carrier to the next, so the same report may be worth more with one company.
Here’s a simple path. Get a copy of the full report with photos. Send it to your agent and ask them to confirm it was applied. Then check your next renewal or policy change notice for the wind credits line.
If your agent sees a category where a small upgrade could score higher, ask about it. Hurricane straps and the third nail are two upgrades homeowners often discuss during a new roof.
Discount rules change, so confirm the details with your insurance agent before you plan around a number.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a Florida wind mitigation report valid?
The state says the form is valid for up to five years. That holds as long as nothing material changes on the house and no errors turn up on the form. A new roof counts as a material change. After a replacement, get a fresh report so your carrier sees the upgraded roof and scores it correctly.
Does a wind mitigation inspection cost anything if I am not replacing my roof?
Usually, yes. Outside of a roof replacement, you’d hire an authorized inspector, and they set their own fee. Ask your insurance agent for names they trust. With Pelican Roofing FL, the report is free with every complete roof replacement. That way the report reflects the new roof from day one, and your agent can send it right in.
Will a new roof lower my premium even if my home is older?
It often helps. A new roof built to today’s code can improve how the form scores roof covering, deck nailing, and secondary water resistance. The age of the rest of the house still matters, and straps or clips at the walls may be older. Ask your agent to run the numbers with a new report before you decide.
The Free Report That Comes With Your Replacement
Every complete roof replacement from Pelican Roofing FL comes with a free wind mitigation report. It documents the new roof on the state form, so your agent has what they need to request your credits. You keep a copy for your records.
We work with homeowners across Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties, from Lakewood Ranch to Punta Gorda. We also partner with local insurance agencies to schedule around policy deadlines. When you call, you’ll speak with an owner, and a dedicated foreman runs your project from tear-off to final cleanup.
Most residential replacements are done within three days. If the cost of a new roof is the hurdle, look at our financing options or grab a starting price from the free instant quote.
A new roof may change how your home scores on the form. Talk with Pelican Roofing FL about your home. Book a free roof inspection and we’ll explain how the report fits your policy.
