UPDATED: AUGUST 24, 2023 | 3 MIN READ
A wind mitigation inspection is a valuable tool that helps you save money on your home insurance premiums and ensures that your home can resist hurricane-strength winds. By considering various elements of your home’s construction, such as the roof, windows, doors, and attachments, this check provides crucial information to insurance companies. In this complete guide, we’ll explore the benefits of wind mitigation inspections, the potential cost savings, state incentives, and how you can get a review for your home.
The benefits of wind mitigation inspections
A wind mitigation inspection offers several key benefits that homeowners should know. By understanding these advantages, you’ll realize the importance of assessing your home for wind-resistant features.
Lower home insurance premiums
A positive risk rating in your wind mitigation inspection report can lead to significant savings on the wind portion of your home insurance policy. Depending on where you live and your coverage limits, you could save anywhere from 3% to 55% on your annual premiums. These savings can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars yearly.
Enhanced home protection
By identifying the wind-resistant features of your home, a wind mitigation inspection ensures that your property is sufficiently protected against hurricanes, tornadoes, and other windstorms. This assessment can help you make informed decisions about reinforcing vulnerable areas and strengthening your home’s structural integrity.
Understanding the cost of wind mitigation inspections
While the benefits of wind mitigation inspections are clear, it’s important to understand the associated costs of getting one.
Average inspection costs
Wind mitigation inspections typically range from $75 to $150, although exact pricing may vary based on location. Considering the potential long-term savings on insurance premiums, the inspection cost is a useful investment.
Time required for inspection
On average, a wind mitigation inspection takes about one hour to complete. During this time, a certified inspector thoroughly assesses your home’s wind-resistant features, providing correct and complete reporting.
State discounts and incentives for wind mitigation
Many states recognize the importance of wind mitigation and offer various discounts, grants, or tax credits to homeowners who invest in wind-resistant features.
Alabama
In Alabama, homeowners can benefit from Fortified Roof and Fortified Home discounts ranging from 20% to 55% off the wind portion of their home insurance policies. The Strengthen Alabama Homes Grant also provides financial assistance of up to $10,000 for improving homes to the Fortified standard.
Connecticut
Connecticut residents receive a discount for installing permanent storm shutters or impact-resistant glass.
Florida
Florida residents are required to receive wind mitigation discounts from their insurance companies. Fortified Roof, Fortified Home, and other discounts are available for installing fixtures or using construction techniques that reduce windstorm damage. The state also offers grants through the Hurricane Loss Mitigation Grant program and financing options via the Florida Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program.
Georgia
Georgia residents can save 5% to 10% on the wind portion of their home insurance policy with Fortified Roof and Fortified Home discounts.
Louisiana
Louisiana homeowners can benefit from Fortified Roof and Fortified Home discounts of 20% to 52% off the wind portion of their insurance policies. Moreover, the state offers a retrofit tax deduction and the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance rebate, providing additional financial incentives for wind mitigation efforts.
Maryland
Maryland residents can Take advantage of discounts on Fortified Roofs, Fortified Homes, and other installation improvements to reduce damage from hurricanes and storms.
Mississippi
In Mississippi, homeowners can benefit from significant savings on their home insurance premiums through Fortified Roof and Fortified Home discounts, ranging from 12% to 55% off the wind portion of their policy. Additionally, eligible homeowners with Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association (MWUA) policies can receive a free Fortified Roof endorsement.
This means that if 50% of their roof is damaged in a covered claim, they can upgrade to a Fortified Roof at no additional cost. Moreover, residents can take advantage of a disaster savings account, where any funds deposited into this account can be deducted from their gross income each year.
These measures provide homeowners in Mississippi with valuable incentives to fortify their homes and mitigate the potential risks associated with windstorms and other catastrophes.
New Jersey
Residents in New Jersey can save on their home insurance premiums with a discount for installing durable storm shutters or impact-resistant glass.
New York
Residents of New York can take advantage of a discount offered for installing hurricane storm shutters or hurricane-resistant laminated glass windows and doors to lower their home insurance costs.
North Carolina
Residents in North Carolina, may qualify for valuable discounts on your home insurance policy. By implementing Fortified Roof and Fortified Home features, you can enjoy savings ranging from 6% to 19% on the wind portion of your insurance coverage.
Additionally, eligible homeowners with North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA) policies can benefit from a Free Fortified Roof endorsement. This means that if a covered claim requires a roof replacement, you can upgrade to a Fortified Roof at no additional cost.
Moreover, there’s the Strengthen Your Roof Grant, which offers up to $5,000 to enhance your roof to Fortified Roof construction if more than 50% of it is damaged. Take advantage of these opportunities to fortify your home and save on insurance expenses.
Oklahoma
Residents in Oklahoma can benefit from the Fortified Home High Wind and Hail discount, which offers savings of 3% to 42% off the wind portion of their home insurance policy.
Rhode Island
Residents in Rhode Island can enjoy having their hurricane deductible waived if they install wing mitigation items. These items include permanent storm shutters, hurricane glass, Fortified Silver improvements, or other approved mitigation measures in their homes.
South Carolina
Residents in South Carolina have access to various benefits and incentives to fortify their homes against wind and storm damage. By taking advantage of Fortified Roof and Fortified Home discounts, homeowners can enjoy savings of 10% to 35% off the wind portion of their home insurance policy.
Additionally, there are other mitigation discounts available, offering savings of up to 25% for storm-resistant home improvements. The South Carolina Safe Home Grant provides further support, offering up to $5,000 to assist homeowners in fortifying their homes.
Homeowners can also benefit from the Fortification tax credit. This allows them to deduct up to $1,000 or 25% of the cost of making their home more hurricane-resistant from South Carolina taxes. If the home was purchased to fortify it, the tax credit could be increased to up to $1,500.
Moreover, homeowners paying more than 5% of their income toward insurance coverage on their primary residence can receive an insurance premium tax credit of up to $1,250 on their state income taxes.
Lastly, residents can establish a catastrophe savings account, enabling them to deduct any deposited funds from their gross income each year. With these incentives and financial support, South Carolina residents can proactively protect their homes and mitigate potential storm risks.
Texas
Residents in Texas can take advantage of several incentives and programs to protect their homes from windstorm damage. Homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of damage caused by severe winds by investing in mitigation measures. These include Fortified Roofs, Fortified Homes, and other discounts for opening protection, wind-resistant construction, and secondary water barriers,
The Homeowner Assistance Program also provides valuable support to homeowners affected by events like Hurricane Harvey. This program assists in repairing, rebuilding, improving, or elevating homes, ensuring residents have access to safe and secure housing.
Afterward, temporary housing is also provided to homeowners during the repair or reconstruction process. With these initiatives in place, Texas residents can enhance the resilience of their homes and better prepare for future windstorm events.
FAQs
What is a wind mitigation inspection?
A wind mitigation inspection is a detailed assessment of your home’s wind-resistant features. These include the roof shape, roof covering, wall construction, doors, windows, and attachments. The inspection report provides valuable information to insurance companies, enabling them to offer discounts on home insurance policies.
How long is a wind mitigation inspection valid?
In most cases, wind mitigation inspection reports are valid for five years. However, checking with your insurance provider is essential as their requirements may vary.
Can I get a wind mitigation inspection if I don’t live in a hurricane-prone area?
Absolutely. Wind mitigation inspections can benefit homeowners in non-hurricane-prone areas as well. While the risk of hurricane-strength winds may be lower, windstorms can occur in various regions. Having a wind-resistant home can offer protection against these events.
Will my insurance company automatically apply wind mitigation discounts?
No, you must provide your insurance company with a copy of the wind mitigation inspection report. Once they receive it, they can apply the appropriate discounts to your policy.
How do I schedule a wind mitigation inspection?
To schedule a wind mitigation inspection, contact a certified home inspector or licensed wind mitigation inspector in your area. They will guide you through the process, conduct the review, and provide you with a complete report.
Take action and secure your home today!
A wind mitigation inspection is a wise investment for homeowners looking to save on insurance premiums. Recognizing wind-resistant features and reinforcing vulnerable areas can enhance your home’s structural integrity and gain peace of mind. Take advantage of the potential savings and state incentives available to you. Take action today and fortify your home against windstorms for a secure future.
Methodology:
AgileRates extracted and analyzed data from the following to provide data in this article.
- “Premium Discounts for Hurricane Loss Mitigation” (Florida Office of Insurance Regulation)
- “Wind Mitigation” (NACHI)
- “National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program” (FEMA)
Related content:
- Does Home Insurance Cover Wind Damage?
- Your Guide To Flood and Hurricane Insurance
- Hurricane Prep: Avoid Damage and Claims
- Preparing Your Home for Hurricane Claims
- How Your Hurricane Deductible Works
