What Is Wind Mitigation—And Can It Save You Money on Insurance?
A Must-Know for Florida Homeowners
If you own a home in Florida, wind isn’t just a breeze—it’s a major part of your insurance costs. Between hurricane-force winds, tropical storms, and tornado threats, Florida’s weather puts homes to the test year-round. But what if there was a way to both protect your home and lower your insurance premiums?
That’s where wind mitigation comes in.
At Jupiter-Tequesta Insurance, we help Florida homeowners understand how to leverage wind mitigation inspections to potentially save hundreds—sometimes thousands—of dollars per year on insurance. Here’s what you need to know.
🌬️ What Is Wind Mitigation?
Wind mitigation refers to the strategies and features of a home that reduce wind damage during storms. These features make your home more resistant to high winds, flying debris, and structural damage—especially during hurricanes.
A wind mitigation inspection is an assessment performed by a licensed inspector to document those features and improvements. The findings can qualify you for significant discounts on your homeowners insurance in Florida.
🏡 What Wind-Resistant Features Are Inspected?
Florida insurance companies reward homes that are built or retrofitted with wind protection. A typical wind mitigation inspection looks at:
- Roof Shape – Hip roofs (sloped on all four sides) are more wind-resistant and usually score better.
- Roof Covering – What material is used (shingles, tile, metal), and whether it meets Florida Building Code standards.
- Roof Deck Attachment – How well the roof is nailed or secured to the underlying structure.
- Roof-to-Wall Attachment – How the roof is connected to your home’s walls (clips, straps, etc.).
- Secondary Water Barrier – Extra protection under the roof covering that prevents leaks if shingles blow off.
- Opening Protection – Impact-rated shutters or hurricane-resistant windows and doors.
The better your scores in these categories, the bigger the insurance discount you could qualify for.
💸 How Much Money Can Wind Mitigation Save Me?
It depends on your home and your policy, but in many cases, homeowners save 15% to 40% on their windstorm portion of the insurance premium. In Florida, where wind coverage can be a big chunk of your total premium, this could amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year.
And the best part? Wind mitigation inspections typically cost $75 to $150—a one-time expense that can pay for itself in less than a year.
📋 Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection Required?
Not by law—but it’s highly recommended.
Florida insurance carriers are required to offer discounts for wind mitigation features, but they won’t apply those discounts unless you’ve had a proper inspection. If your home was built before 2002 (before updated building codes), a wind mitigation inspection is especially important.
🔧 Can I Add Wind Mitigation Features to an Older Home?
Absolutely. In fact, retrofitting your home with things like:
- Hurricane straps
- Impact windows
- Sealed roof decks
- Metal roofs or upgraded shingles
…can not only improve safety during storms but increase your eligibility for discounts. In the long run, these improvements can pay for themselves through reduced insurance costs and better storm protection.
✅ Don’t Leave Money on the Table
At Jupiter-Tequesta Insurance, we’ll help you:
- Arrange a wind mitigation inspection with a trusted local expert
- Review your current policy for missed savings
- Find additional discounts and bundling opportunities
When it comes to protecting your home in Florida, knowledge is power—and wind mitigation could be the smartest move you make this year.
📞 Call us at (561) 951-7441
📧 Email tripp@jupteqins.com