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Wind Mitigation Inspections — One of the Highest-ROI Investments a Florida Homeowner Can Make

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Wind Mitigation Inspection

"Florida's most financially valuable home inspection — document your wind-resistant features and unlock substantial homeowner's insurance discounts."

Florida's Insurance-Driven Inspection — Built to Save You Money

A wind mitigation inspection is a Florida-specific evaluation that documents the wind-resistant construction features of your home — features that determine how well your house can withstand hurricane-force winds. The findings are recorded on the official Florida OIR-B1-1802 form, which is then submitted to your homeowner's insurance company. Florida law requires insurers to offer premium discounts for documented wind-resistant features, and those discounts can be substantial.

For most Tampa Bay-area homeowners, a properly performed wind mitigation inspection saves hundreds to over a thousand dollars per year on homeowner's insurance — sometimes considerably more on coastal or higher-premium properties. That's not a one-time savings either; the OIR-B1-1802 form remains valid for five years from the date of inspection, meaning the discounts continue year after year. Few inspections in Florida pay for themselves as quickly as a wind mit.

The inspection is especially impactful for homes built before the 2002 Florida Building Code updates, when modern wind-resistant construction became standard. Pre-2002 homes often qualify for credits that owners simply don't know about — credits the insurance company has no obligation to apply unless the proper documentation is on file. Erick Wyatt, FL License #HI14433, performs wind mitigation inspections across Tampa, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando, Polk, North Manatee, and Sumter Counties — delivering the photo-documented OIR-B1-1802 form your insurer needs to apply every credit your home has earned.

A Wind Mitigation Inspection Often Pays for Itself in the First Year

Florida insurers are required by law to offer wind mitigation discounts for documented features — but they don't apply those discounts unless you submit the form. A small upfront investment in a professional wind mit inspection routinely returns hundreds to over a thousand dollars per year in insurance savings, locked in for five full years. For coastal Pinellas, North Manatee, and Pasco homeowners, the savings are often even greater.

Whether you're buying, selling, or simply renewing your homeowner's policy, a current OIR-B1-1802 form on file is one of the smartest financial moves you can make as a Florida homeowner.

The 7 Categories on the OIR-B1-1802 Form

The Florida wind mitigation form evaluates seven distinct wind-resistance characteristics of your home. Erick photo-documents each one and completes the official form your insurer requires.

Category 1
Building Code & Year Built

Documents the year of construction and which version of the Florida Building Code the home was built under. Homes built after the 2002 FBC and the 2007 FBC updates qualify for additional baseline credits.

Category 2
Roof Covering

Identifies the type of roof covering (shingle, tile, metal, etc.) and verifies it meets Florida Building Code wind-resistance standards. Confirms permits and installation date.

Category 3
Roof Deck Attachment

Inspects how the roof deck (plywood or OSB) is fastened to the roof trusses. Larger nails, closer nail spacing, or screws result in significantly higher discounts.

Category 4
Roof-to-Wall Connection

Examines how the roof structure connects to the home's walls. Hurricane clips, single wraps, and double wraps each carry different premium credits — and pre-2002 homes often lack any.

Category 5
Roof Geometry

Documents whether the roof is hip, gable, or other shape. Hip roofs qualify for the highest credits because they perform best in hurricane-force winds.

Category 6
Secondary Water Resistance (SWR)

Verifies the presence of a self-adhering modified bitumen or sealed-deck barrier beneath the roof covering. SWR keeps water out if the roof covering fails — a major credit when present.

Category 7
Opening Protection

Evaluates protection on all windows, doors, garage doors, and skylights. Impact-rated openings, hurricane shutters, and storm panels each qualify for substantial discounts when properly documented.

The Form
Florida OIR-B1-1802

Erick completes and signs the official state form, attaches photo documentation, and delivers a clean digital report you can submit directly to your insurance carrier or agent — valid for 5 years.

Wind Mitigation Inspections Make Sense For

Wind mitigation isn't just for new homebuyers. Existing homeowners frequently leave thousands of dollars on the table by skipping this inspection.

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Homebuyers

Get the form completed during your purchase inspection so your insurance is set up correctly from day one — and you avoid overpaying for the first year of coverage.

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Existing Homeowners

If your last wind mit was over 5 years ago — or if you've never had one — you're almost certainly overpaying on insurance. A new inspection unlocks credits you've been missing.

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Pre-Listing Sellers

A current OIR-B1-1802 on file is a powerful selling point. Buyers can see exactly what their insurance costs will be — and that transparency closes deals faster.

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Recent Re-Roof

Just put a new roof on? You almost certainly qualify for new wind mitigation credits — particularly if the roof now has Secondary Water Resistance.

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New Impact Windows

Installed impact-rated windows, hurricane shutters, or a new garage door? Those upgrades unlock major Category 7 discounts you need to document.

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Insurance Renewal

Florida insurance is a moving target. Get a fresh wind mit before your next renewal cycle to make sure you're getting every discount your home qualifies for.

From Schedule to Submitted Form in 4 Simple Steps

Erick makes the wind mitigation process as simple as possible — start to finish, you'll have the OIR-B1-1802 form in hand within 24 hours.

Step 1
Schedule

Call 813-803-7619 or book online. Most wind mit inspections can be scheduled within a few days.

Step 2
On-Site Inspection

Erick arrives, photo-documents all 7 categories, evaluates roof structure, attic access, and opening protection. Typically 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.

Step 3
Form Delivered

You receive the completed and signed Florida OIR-B1-1802 form with full photo documentation — typically within 24 hours via Spectora.

Step 4
Submit & Save

Forward the form to your insurance agent. Discounts are applied to your policy and remain in effect for 5 full years.

What Wind Mit Clients Are Saying

Real reviews from Tampa Bay-area homeowners who have trusted First Florida Home Inspection for their wind mitigation inspections.

★★★★★

"Erick was incredibly thorough and took the time to walk us through every issue he found. As first-time buyers in Tampa, that meant everything. He answered every question and made sure we understood exactly what we were getting into before closing. Highly recommend."

— Sarah M.
Tampa, FL

★★★★★

"Outstanding service from start to finish. Erick is professional, on time, and his report was the most detailed inspection report I've ever seen — full of high-quality photos and clear explanations. Worth every penny when you're making this kind of investment."

— Michael R.
Brandon, FL

★★★★★

"Found things on our older Pinellas County home that another inspector completely missed — including roof issues that ended up saving us thousands at negotiation. Erick is honest, knowledgeable, and clearly works for the buyer. Will use him again."

— Jennifer K.
Clearwater, FL

Frequently Asked Questions — Wind Mitigation

Answers to the most common questions Florida homeowners ask before scheduling their wind mitigation inspection.

How much money will a wind mit really save me on insurance?

For most Tampa Bay-area homeowners, savings range from a few hundred dollars per year up to over a thousand dollars per year — sometimes considerably more on coastal or higher-premium properties. The exact amount depends on your home's wind-resistant features (roof shape, deck attachment, hurricane clips, secondary water resistance, opening protection, year built). Pre-2002 homes that have been upgraded with modern features almost always see substantial savings.

How long is the OIR-B1-1802 form valid?

The Florida wind mitigation form is valid for 5 years from the date of inspection. Once submitted to your insurer, the documented discounts remain in effect across renewals during that period. After 5 years, a new inspection is required to keep the credits current.

How long does the inspection itself take?

A standalone wind mitigation inspection typically takes between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours on-site, depending on the size of the home, attic access, and the complexity of the opening protection. If combined with a general home inspection or 4-point, the wind mit portion is folded into the overall visit.

Do I need to be home during the inspection?

It's helpful but not always required. Erick will need access to the attic, all four exterior walls, every window and door, and the garage. If you can't be present, we can usually arrange access through a Realtor lockbox or a property manager. Just call 813-803-7619 to coordinate.

Will my insurance company accept First Florida's form?

Yes. Erick is a Florida Licensed Home Inspector (FL License #HI14433), and the OIR-B1-1802 form he provides is the official state-mandated wind mitigation form that all Florida insurers are required to accept. The form includes photo documentation, his license number, and his signature.

What if my home doesn't qualify for many credits?

Even older homes typically qualify for at least some credits — and the inspection itself documents whether you'd benefit from upgrading specific features (such as adding hurricane clips, installing impact-rated openings, or adding secondary water resistance during your next re-roof). Knowing exactly where your home stands is the first step toward making smart, ROI-positive improvements.

Serving Tampa & All Surrounding Counties

Wind mitigation inspections available throughout the Tampa Bay region. Click any area below to learn more about our services in that location.

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Call today • FL License #HI14433 • Family-Owned Since 2019 • Veteran & First Responder Discounts • Tampa Bay's Trusted Wind Mit Inspector