Windstorm Mitigation Updates
/Published by Dockside Insurance Group | Spring 2026
If you own a home in Florida, a wind mitigation inspection can save you a significant amount on your homeowners insurance — sometimes hundreds of dollars a year. The inspection looks at how well your home is built to withstand hurricane-force winds, and rewards you with premium discounts for features like impact windows, reinforced roofing, and strong roof-to-wall connections.
Wind mitigation discounts can reduce your wind premium by 10%–45% or more.
These are real, meaningful savings on your annual insurance bill — and they're worth protecting.
Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has updated the official inspection form — called the OIR-B1-1802 — for the first time since 2012. The new version takes effect April 1, 2026. The form is more detailed and requires inspectors to document more specifics about your home, but the goal is the same: accurately capture your home's protective features so you get every discount you deserve.
Do you have an existing wind mitigation inspection on file?
If your current inspection was done on the old form and is less than 5 years old with no major changes to your home, it should still be valid — you don't need to rush out and get a new one right away. Any new inspection conducted on or after April 1, 2026 must use the updated form.
What's Actually Changing?
The new form takes a more detailed look at your home's construction. Here's what inspectors will now be documenting — in plain English.
Your Home's Wind Speed Zone
Inspectors will now record which wind speed zone your home falls in, based on updated hurricane hazard maps. Think of it like a weather risk category for your neighborhood — it helps insurers better understand the forces your home may face in a storm.
Your Roof's Pitch (Slope)
Inspectors must now measure and record whether your roof is steeply pitched or more flat. This helps build a more accurate picture of your home and doesn't directly remove any discounts.
More Proof Required for Your Roof
To get credit for your roof covering (shingles, tile, metal, etc.), inspectors now need both when it was installed and the product approval number. A new category for synthetic/composite tile roofs has also been added. If you've replaced your roof, have your permit paperwork ready.
Spray Foam Now Officially Counts
Spray foam applied under the roof deck is now formally recognized as both a roof deck attachment method and a secondary water barrier. If your home has it correctly installed, your inspector can now credit it — which wasn't clearly possible before.
More Ways to Qualify for Roof-to-Wall Credits
The metal straps and clips that hold your roof to your walls are critical in a hurricane. The new form adds pathways for newer structural connectors, meaning more homes may now qualify for credits in this category.
Secondary Water Barrier — More Clearly Defined
A secondary water barrier helps keep water out if your roof covering is blown off. The new form lists the exact materials that qualify — including specific underlayments, seam tape, and spray foam — instead of just asking a simple yes or no.
FORTIFIED Home® Certificates Now Count as Proof
If your home has earned a FORTIFIED Home® designation, that certificate can now be used to validate multiple sections of the form — reducing the paperwork burden for homeowners who've already built to higher wind resistance standards.
Damaged Windows or Doors = Loss of ALL Opening Protection Credits
This is the most critical change. If even one window, door, skylight, or garage door on your home is damaged and needs repair or replacement, your home loses all opening protection discounts — regardless of everything else. Fix any damaged openings before scheduling an inspection.
What Should You Do Right Now?
A few simple steps can help make sure you're getting every discount you're entitled to.
Check your existing inspection
Find your current wind mit form. If it's less than 5 years old with no major home changes, you're likely fine for now.
Fix any damaged openings
Walk around and check for cracked, broken, or deteriorating windows, doors, and skylights before your next inspection.
Gather your roof paperwork
If you've replaced your roof, locate the permit and product approval documents — your inspector will need both.
Call your agent
Not sure if your current form is still valid or whether a new inspection might save you money? We're here to help.
Common Questions
Do I need to get a new inspection right away?
Not necessarily. If your current inspection is less than 5 years old and you haven't made major changes to your roof or structure, it's still valid. A new inspection is only required when your current one expires, when you make significant structural changes, or when an inspection is performed on or after April 1, 2026.
Will these changes affect my premium?
The form changes themselves don't automatically change your premium. What could change your premium is if a new inspection under the updated form results in different ratings for your home's features — either better or worse — compared to your old form.
What if I recently replaced my roof?
Great timing to get a fresh inspection! A new roof often improves your wind mitigation ratings, and the new form documents it more precisely. Just make sure you have your permit and product approval numbers ready before scheduling.
Who can perform a wind mitigation inspection?
Inspectors must be licensed — typically a licensed home inspector (with hurricane mitigation training), building code inspector, general contractor, professional engineer, or architect. Always verify your inspector's license before scheduling.
What is a FORTIFIED Home® certificate and do I have one?
FORTIFIED is a program that certifies homes built or retrofitted to higher wind resistance standards. If your home was built by a FORTIFIED-certified builder or you've upgraded to those standards, you may already have a certificate. Check with your builder or contractor if you're not sure.
Not Sure Where You Stand?
We review wind mitigation forms every day. Reach out and we'll look at your current inspection, walk you through what's changing, and make sure you're getting every discount you're entitled to.
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