Wind Mitigation Inspection in Florida: Cost, Savings & How to Get One

Updated 2026 · 7 min read

If you own a home in Hillsborough County and haven't had a wind mitigation inspection in the last five years, you are almost certainly leaving money on the table. This is the single highest-ROI action a Florida homeowner can take on their insurance bill — a $100–$150 inspection that routinely saves $200 to $800 per year.

Here's exactly what a wind mitigation inspection is, what it covers, how to get one in , and how much you can realistically save.

What a Wind Mitigation Inspection Is

A wind mitigation inspection is a professional assessment of how well your home is built to withstand hurricane-force winds. It's not a home inspection and it's not an appraisal. It's a specific, standardized report — the OIR-B1-1802 form — that your insurance company uses to calculate premium discounts.

Florida law requires insurers to offer discounts for specific wind-resistant features. The inspection documents which features your home has, so you get credit for them.

The Seven Features Inspectors Check

A standard Florida wind mitigation inspection evaluates:

1. Roof covering. What material, and when was it installed? A roof under 10 years old earns the biggest credit.
2. Roof deck attachment. How the roof sheathing is fastened to the trusses — nails vs. staples, spacing, and whether it meets the enhanced standard.
3. Roof-to-wall attachment. How the roof structure connects to the walls. Toe nails are weakest; hurricane straps and clips are stronger; a continuous load path is strongest.
4. Roof geometry. Hip roofs perform far better in high winds than gable roofs. This is often the single biggest discount.
5. Secondary water barrier. A peel-and-stick underlayment or self-adhering membrane under the roof covering.
6. Roof decking material. Dimensional lumber vs. plywood vs. OSB, and thickness.
7. Opening protection. Impact-rated windows, doors, and garage doors, or approved shutters. This is often the second-biggest discount after roof geometry.

Cost and Where to Get One in Hillsborough County

A wind mitigation inspection in the Tampa Bay area typically costs $100 to $150 for a standard single-family home. Larger or more complex homes may run $200–$300.

To find an inspector, you have three options:

• Ask your insurance agent. Most agents have a list of approved inspectors they trust. This is the safest route.
• Search for licensed Florida home inspectors. Look for inspectors who specifically advertise wind mitigation services and are familiar with the OIR-B1-1802 form.
• Use a specialized wind mitigation company. Some companies do only wind mitigation inspections. They're fast, cheap, and know exactly what insurers want.

The inspector will visit your home, take photos and measurements, and deliver a completed OIR-B1-1802 form — usually within 24–48 hours.

Realistic Savings in Hillsborough County

Savings vary widely based on your home's features and your current carrier. Here's what Hillsborough homeowners typically see:

• Home with no existing credits, hip roof, impact windows: $400–$800/year in new discounts
• Home with partial credits already applied, gable roof: $150–$300/year additional
• Newer home with most features already credited: $0–$100/year — the inspection may not be worth it

If you don't know what credits you're already receiving, call your insurance agent and ask for a copy of your current policy's rating worksheet. It will show exactly which wind mitigation credits are applied.

How to Use the Report

Once you have your OIR-B1-1802 form:

1. Send it to your current insurer. Most carriers will apply the discounts at renewal. Some will apply them mid-term with a policy endorsement.
2. Shop your policy with the report in hand. Give the form to at least three other carriers and compare quotes. Some carriers weight specific features differently — a hip roof credit worth 25% at one company may be worth 40% at another.
3. Re-inspect every 5 years. Inspections don't expire, but insurers increasingly want recent reports. And if you've replaced your roof or added impact windows since the last inspection, you're missing new credits.

For the full breakdown of what drives your premium, see our Hillsborough insurance costs guide. If your roof is over 15 years old, see our roof rules guide — the inspection can also determine whether your roof has enough useful life to keep your policy.