A wind mitigation inspection documents the features that help your home resist hurricane-force winds, recorded on Florida form OIR-B1-1802. Insurers use the report to see which wind-resistant features your home has, and Florida law requires them to offer discounts for qualifying features. Your roof is a big part of what the inspector looks at.
What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
During a wind mitigation inspection, a qualified inspector visits your home, looks at the roof and attic, takes photos and fills out the state form. The finished report shows your insurer how the house is built to handle wind, rather than leaving the insurer to assume the worst.
The inspection is usually quick and non-invasive. Most of the work happens in the attic, where the inspector can see how the roof deck is fastened and how the roof framing connects to the walls.
Once you have the report, you typically send it to your insurance agent or company. They decide which discounts, if any, apply to your policy, so always ask your insurer how they use the form.
What Does the Inspection Check on Your Roof?
Form OIR-B1-1802 documents several wind-resistant features. Three of the most important involve the roof:
- Roof deck attachment: how the plywood or sheathing is fastened to the framing. The type of nails and how closely they are spaced affect how well the deck resists being pulled off by wind.
- Roof-to-wall connections: how the roof trusses or rafters are tied to the walls. Metal straps and clips generally hold better than nails alone.
- Secondary water barrier: an extra layer over the roof deck that helps keep water out if the outer roof covering is damaged or blown off.
Other features on the form relate to the rest of the house. Together they give a picture of how well the home is built to stay closed up during a storm.
Can a New Roof Improve Your Wind Mitigation Report?
It can. A roof replacement is one of the few times the roof deck is fully exposed, which creates a chance to upgrade features that are otherwise hard to reach.
During a replacement, the crew removes the old roof down to the deck. The deck can then be re-nailed to meet current code, and a secondary water barrier can be installed under the new roof covering. Depending on how the framing is accessed, roof-to-wall connections may also be reviewed.
After the work is done and the final inspection is passed, a new wind mitigation inspection can document the updated features. Whether that changes your premium depends on your insurer and policy, so ask your insurer before and after the project.
In Miami-Dade and Broward counties, a new roof must also meet the stricter requirements of the Florida Building Code’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), and products generally need a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA). A roof replacement needs a building permit and inspections from the local building department, and those permit records can help support your wind mitigation report.
When Should You Get a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
Common times to schedule one include:
- After a roof replacement, once the final inspection is complete
- When you buy a home, since the previous owner’s report may be outdated or missing
- When you renew or shop for homeowners insurance
- After adding wind-resistant upgrades to the home
Since Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, many South Florida homeowners like to have their roof and paperwork in order before the season gets busy.
Tips for a Smooth Inspection
- Make sure the inspector can reach the attic access easily
- Gather permit records and invoices from any past roof work
- Keep a copy of the finished report with your insurance documents
- Ask your insurer which features they credit and how to submit the form
If your roof is aging or the report shows weak spots, it may be time to plan a roof replacement in Miami that is built to current code from the deck up. Solar Dynamics holds Florida roofing license CCC1335573, is based in Doral and serves Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Our own crews handle roofing, solar and electrical work, so one company is responsible for the roof and anything on it.
Wondering what your roof would show on a wind mitigation report? Request a free quote from our licensed roofing team.
Related reading: Professional Roof Inspection in Miami · Hurricane Prep for Your Roof and Solar Panels