Florida Wind Mitigation Inspection: Complete Davie Insurance Guide 2026
How much can a Florida wind mitigation inspection save Davie homeowners?
**Florida wind mitigation inspection** documents your home’s hurricane resistance features (roof shape, roof-to-wall connections, impact-rated openings) on Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Form OIR-B1-1802. Florida law requires insurers to apply discount credits for verified mitigation features. Actual savings vary significantly by carrier, home, and feature mix, but well-mitigated Davie homes commonly see meaningful reduction on the wind portion of hurricane insurance. The inspection typically costs $75 to $150 and is generally accepted by insurers for up to 5 years.
By Anthony Spitaleri
Florida wind mitigation is the single highest-leverage insurance move a Davie homeowner can make, and most owners do not realize they leave thousands of dollars per year on the table by skipping it. This guide breaks down what the inspection covers, how the discount math works, when to schedule it, and what features actually move the premium needle.
The Florida insurance market in 2026 is brutal. Citizens Property Insurance is the insurer of last resort for many Davie homes, premiums have doubled or tripled since 2020, and carriers are non-renewing aggressively. Against that backdrop, Florida wind mitigation is one of the few levers that actually reduces what you pay. The discount is not optional on the carrier’s side. Florida law requires insurers to credit you for verified mitigation features. You just have to document them.
What Florida wind mitigation actually inspects
A Florida wind mitigation inspection is a one-page form (Form OIR-B1-1802) completed by a licensed inspector, engineer, or general contractor. The inspector documents seven specific features:
- Roof covering — Shingle type, age, FBC code compliance
- Roof deck attachment — Nail size, spacing, density
- Roof-to-wall connection — Toe nails, clips, wraps, double wraps
- Roof geometry — Hip, gable, flat, or other
- Secondary water resistance — Self-adhering polymer modified bitumen tape under the roof covering
- Opening protection — Impact-rated windows and doors, hurricane shutters, plywood-only protection
- Wall construction — Frame, masonry, reinforced masonry
Each feature category gets a discount credit. The biggest credits go to:
– Hip roof (versus gable)
– Concrete tile or metal roof versus asphalt shingle
– Roof-to-wall double wraps (vs toe nails)
– Impact-rated openings on ALL openings (vs partial coverage)
Partial credit hurts more than people realize. If your home has impact glass on most windows but standard glass on the back patio doors, you get the LOWEST opening protection credit, not the highest. Insurers grade to the weakest opening.
How Florida wind mitigation discounts work
Florida wind mitigation discounts apply only to the WIND portion of your homeowner insurance, not the full premium. On most Davie policies, wind is the largest component of total premium because the property is in a hurricane zone. Get a quote with and without mitigation features documented to see your specific delta.
Florida law (Florida Statute 627.0629) requires admitted insurers to apply discount credits for verified mitigation features. The exact percentage credit per feature varies by carrier and is filed with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Common credit-eligible features:
- Hip roof shape (versus gable or flat)
- Impact-rated windows and doors on ALL openings
- Secondary water resistance (self-adhering polymer modified bitumen tape under roof covering)
- Code-compliant roof covering with documented installation
- Roof-to-wall connections better than toe nails (clips, single wraps, double wraps)
- Wall construction type (reinforced masonry typically rates highest)
Insurers grade to the WEAKEST opening or feature in each category. If your home has impact glass on most windows but standard glass on the back patio doors, you receive the lowest opening protection credit, not the highest. Verify with your specific insurer what credit applies to YOUR home before assuming a percentage.
The inspection is generally accepted for up to 5 years. As long as your wind mitigation features remain unchanged, the credits apply for the inspection validity period. After 5 years, re-inspect to confirm features and continue the credit.
When to do a Florida wind mitigation inspection in Davie
Three high-leverage moments to schedule a Florida wind mitigation inspection:
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Buying a Davie home. Order the wind mitigation inspection at the same time as your standard home inspection during the inspection period. The cost is $75 to $150 and the timing aligns with your insurance binding.
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Selling a Davie home. Provide a current Florida wind mitigation inspection in your seller disclosures. It signals well-maintained construction and helps the buyer secure insurance, which keeps your closing on track. See Davie property tax and seller cost guide for full closing-cost context.
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After any roof, window, or door upgrade. New impact glass, a roof replacement, or upgraded ties resets your mitigation profile. A new inspection captures the upgrades and applies new credits to your renewal.
If you bought your Davie home more than 5 years ago and have never re-inspected, you are likely paying premium without full credit. Order an inspection now.
What Florida wind mitigation does NOT do
Some misunderstandings to clear up:
- Does not reduce flood insurance. Florida wind mitigation applies to wind only. Flood is a separate FEMA-administered policy through your insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program. See FEMA Flood Map Service Center to verify your Davie property’s flood zone.
- Does not eliminate hurricane deductible. You still pay the hurricane deductible (typically 2 to 5 percent of dwelling value) when a named storm causes damage.
- Does not cover earthquakes, sinkhole, or general structural defects. Florida wind mitigation specifically covers hurricane wind resistance.
- Does not transfer to the buyer automatically. The inspection report transfers, but the buyer files a new policy with their insurer. The credits apply only after the buyer’s carrier accepts the inspection.
- Does not replace four-point inspection. Many carriers also require a four-point inspection (electrical, plumbing, roof, HVAC). These are separate.
Florida wind mitigation features by Davie home age
Wind mitigation potential varies by build era because Florida updated its building code substantially in response to Hurricane Andrew (1992) and codified the statewide Florida Building Code (effective 2002). Older homes may need retrofit to capture full credits. Newer homes built under stricter code generally have stronger mitigation features built in.
Key code milestones to understand when assessing a Davie home:
– Pre-1992: Pre-Andrew construction, often older roof connection methods
– 1992-2001: Updated South Florida codes after Andrew, hurricane straps more common
– 2002 onward: Statewide Florida Building Code with stricter wind-resistance standards
– More recent updates: Continued tightening of impact glass and roofing requirements
Buyers touring Davie luxury homes should not assume newer means cheaper insurance. The premium depends on documented features on the wind mitigation inspection: roof age, opening protection coverage, roof-to-wall connection type, and secondary water resistance. Always run an insurance quote BEFORE you make an offer, especially on luxury homes where wind premium can be a five-figure annual line item.
For aging luxury communities like Long Lake Ranches Davie where original construction predates current code, the original roof and openings may age out of optimal credits over time. Plan for potential roof replacement on aging Davie luxury homes as part of long-term insurance strategy.
How to find a Florida wind mitigation inspector in Davie
Florida wind mitigation inspections must be performed by:
– Florida-licensed home inspector
– Florida-licensed general contractor
– Florida-registered professional engineer
– Florida-licensed building inspector
– Florida-licensed architect
Most Davie home inspectors offer wind mitigation as an add-on to a standard inspection ($75 to $150 add-on, sometimes free with full inspection). Standalone wind mitigation inspections cost $100 to $200.
Ask any Davie inspector for sample completed wind mitigation forms before booking. The form is highly specific. Inspectors who do not document features precisely cost you discounts. The Form OIR-B1-1802 has dozens of checkboxes and detail fields that affect carrier credits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Wind Mitigation
How much can I save with a Florida wind mitigation inspection in Davie?
Savings vary significantly by carrier, home features, and the specific credits filed by your insurer with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Florida law requires admitted insurers to apply discount credits for verified mitigation features. The inspection itself typically costs $75 to $150 and is generally accepted for up to 5 years. Get a quote from your insurer with the inspection on file to see your specific dollar savings.
How long does a Florida wind mitigation inspection last?
Florida wind mitigation inspections are generally accepted by insurers for up to 5 years. After 5 years, you typically need to re-inspect to maintain insurance discounts. If you replace your roof, upgrade to impact glass, or add hurricane shutters during that period, schedule a new inspection immediately to capture the additional credits before your next renewal. Confirm specific re-inspection requirements with your individual carrier.
What is Form OIR-B1-1802?
Form OIR-B1-1802 is the standardized Florida wind mitigation inspection form created by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. It documents seven hurricane-resistance categories: roof covering, roof deck, roof-to-wall connection, roof geometry, secondary water resistance, opening protection, and wall construction. Florida insurers must credit verified features on this form.
Do I need a wind mitigation inspection if my home has impact windows?
Yes. Even with impact-rated windows, a Florida wind mitigation inspection is required to formally document the windows on Form OIR-B1-1802 and apply the discount to your policy. Without the inspection, your insurer cannot apply the impact glass credit. Most Davie homeowners with impact glass save thousands annually once the inspection is on file.
Can I do my own Florida wind mitigation inspection?
No. Florida wind mitigation inspections must be performed by a Florida-licensed inspector, contractor, engineer, or architect. The inspector signs Form OIR-B1-1802 attesting to verified features under their license. Self-completed forms are not accepted by insurers.
Talk to a Davie Real Estate Expert
If you are buying a Davie home in 2026, the wind mitigation inspection is one of the most overlooked closing costs that pays you back for years. If you are selling, having a current inspection in your seller disclosure helps your buyer secure financing-ready insurance. Anthony Spitaleri, Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker and Davie native, walks every client through the wind mitigation process during the offer and inspection stages. Schedule a strategy call and walk into your transaction with insurance numbers known, not guessed.
Anthony Spitaleri
Living in Davie Florida
954-235-5783
Davie, Florida
livingindavieflorida.com
About Anthony Spitaleri
Anthony Spitaleri is a top real estate agent in Davie, Florida and a Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker. A Davie native with deep knowledge of the local market, Anthony created livingindavieflorida.com, the most comprehensive Davie real estate resource available, featuring in-depth guides for all 52 Davie neighborhoods including Long Lake Ranches, Hawkes Bluff, Ivanhoe Estates, Rolling Hills, and Shenandoah. The site provides original weekly market data, interactive tools including a Flood Zone Checker, School Zone Finder, and HOA Fee Comparison, and a 24/7 AI concierge that answers Davie real estate questions. Anthony specializes in luxury homes and estates above $1 million, acreage properties with no HOA, and relocation buyers moving to Davie from out of state. He is a Certified Strategic Coach through Coaching Services International (CSI), an active member of the Davie Cooper City Chamber of Commerce, and a weekly volunteer at Bit by Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Davie. His data driven, neighborhood level approach to pricing, marketing, and negotiation reflects his belief that Davie’s 52 distinct communities, variable flood zones, and diverse HOA structures demand a specialist, not a generalist.
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