September 10, 2026 · 4 min read
For many buyers in Florida, the homeowners insurance quote is one of the bigger surprises of the buying process. Two short inspection reports, the wind mitigation inspection and the four-point inspection, often play a large role in that quote, particularly for older homes. This post is for buyers in Manatee, Sarasota, and the surrounding counties who want to understand what these reports are and why insurers ask for them before making an offer.
What a Wind Mitigation Inspection Documents
A wind mitigation inspection records the features of a home that help it resist hurricane-force wind. The inspector documents items such as the building code the home was built under, the roof covering, how the roof deck is attached, how the roof is connected to the walls, the shape of the roof, whether there is secondary water resistance beneath the roof covering, and whether windows and doors are protected against wind-borne debris. The results go on a standard state form, the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, known as OIR-B1-1802, which the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation revised effective April 1, 2026.
The form must be completed by a qualified professional, such as a licensed home inspector with hurricane mitigation training, a building code inspector, a licensed contractor, an engineer, or an architect. According to the Office of Insurance Regulation, a completed form is valid for up to five years, provided no material changes are made to the structure and no inaccuracies are found.
Why It Can Lower Your Premium
Florida law requires residential property insurers to offer actuarially reasonable discounts, credits, or other rate differentials for homes with features shown to reduce windstorm losses, and to tell policyholders what discounts are available. A wind mitigation report is how homeowners document those features. Homes built to newer codes, and older homes that have added protections such as impact-rated windows, shutters, or stronger roof-to-wall connections, may qualify for credits on the wind portion of the premium. How much any one feature is worth varies by insurer and by home.
What a Four-Point Inspection Covers
A four-point inspection is narrower and focuses on four major systems: the roof, the electrical system, the plumbing, and the heating and air conditioning. The inspector reports the age, type, and condition of each, so the insurer can judge whether the home carries a higher risk of a claim from an aging roof, outdated wiring, or failing plumbing. Insurers commonly ask for one on older homes, and each company sets its own age threshold. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state-created insurer, for example, requires one for homes older than 20 years, and serious defects such as an active leak or exposed wiring must be corrected before coverage begins.
Roof Age and Florida Law
Roof age deserves particular attention. Under Florida law, an insurer generally may not refuse to issue or renew a homeowners policy solely because of the age of a roof that is less than 15 years old, and for an older roof, it may not refuse solely because of age if an authorized inspection shows at least five years of useful life remaining. Even so, an older roof can still affect pricing and coverage options, so ask about roof age early.
Using These Reports When You Buy
Because these inspections can affect both cost and insurability, plan for them early. Ask whether the seller has a recent wind mitigation report, since one that is still within its validity period may be usable for your quote, subject to the insurer's requirements. Request insurance quotes during your inspection period, not after it, so there is time to respond if a carrier asks for repairs. These reports complement a full home inspection rather than replacing it, and our post on what to look for at a Florida home inspection covers that broader process.
Note: This post provides general information about Florida insurance inspections and related law as of this writing. Insurer requirements, discounts, and forms change, so speak with a licensed insurance professional about your specific property and coverage.
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