Wind mitigation is an optional yet valuable inspection for homeowners. It measures the ability of the home to withstand windstorm damage by identifying features in the building’s construction that have been shown to reduce losses in hurricanes. Certain home features include a hip roof, concrete block construction, the presence of gable end bracing, shutters and opening protections, the presence of single or double roof straps, and the presence of a secondary water resistance barrier.
A homeowner can submit the results of a windstorm inspection to his/her insurance provider to obtain significant discounts on windstorm insurance. In Florida, for example, premium discounts for certain favorable wind mitigation features are mandated by state law and can total up to 40% of the original windstorm policy’s premium.