What are wind mitigation and 4-point inspections, and why do they matter?

A wind mitigation inspection records the features that help a house stand up to a hurricane: the roof covering and the shape of the roof, how the roof deck is nailed down, the clips or straps that tie the roof to the walls, a self-adhering underlayment under the roof covering, and impact-resistant windows, doors and garage doors. The inspector fills in the state's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, and you send it to your insurer, which uses it to set the discounts or credits on the windstorm part of the premium; insurers are required by law to offer them. The form is good for up to five years, unless the house is changed or the form is found to be wrong, and a new version of it has been required for every inspection since April 1, 2026. A 4-point inspection covers four things only, the roof, the electrical system, the plumbing and the heating and air conditioning, with the age, type and condition of each. Citizens Property Insurance requires one for homes more than 20 years old. If your home is a site-built, owner-occupied single-family home with a homestead exemption, you can apply to My Safe Florida Home for a free wind mitigation inspection. When the Legislature funds it, the program also gives grants of $2 for every $1 the owner spends, up to $10,000, for homes built before 2008 and insured for $700,000 or less.

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