Wind Mitigation Inspection for a New Florida Home
In this article
A wind mitigation inspection is a short check by a licensed inspector. The inspector records which storm-resistant features a Florida home has. The result goes on a report, and you give that report to your insurance company. The insurer then decides whether your home qualifies for a discount.
This guide explains the inspection in plain words. It also shows how a new build like Parker Pointe in Homestead fits into the picture. National House Search is not an insurance agent, so your agent has the final say on every insurance question.
What is a wind mitigation inspection?
Think of it as a checklist for your house. The inspector walks the home, looks at a set of features, and marks what is there. It is a look-and-record visit.
The state of Florida explains this on its Office of Insurance Regulation wind mitigation page. That page is a good place to start if you want the official view.
Florida insurers may offer premium discounts for verified wind-resistant features. The amount differs by insurer and by home. Your agent can tell you what your own company offers.
What the inspector looks at
Most reports cover the same short list. Here it is, one item at a time.
Roof shape
Some roofs have four sloped sides that meet at the top. Others have two sloped sides and a flat wall at each end. The shape changes how wind moves over the roof. The inspector notes which shape your roof has.
How the roof deck is attached
The roof deck is the flat layer of boards under the roof covering. It is what the tiles or shingles sit on. The inspector checks how that deck is fastened down. Nails, their size, and their spacing can all matter.
How the roof is tied to the walls
Wind can try to lift a roof right off a house. Metal connectors help hold the roof to the walls. You may hear them called clips or straps. Hurricane clips are one kind. The inspector notes which kind of connector the home has.
Windows and doors
The inspector checks whether openings are protected. Protection can be impact-resistant glass, which is glass built to take a hard hit. It can also be shutters that cover the openings. The report records what protects the windows, the doors, and the garage door.
A backup water barrier under the roof
Some roofs have an extra layer under the covering. It is a barrier that helps keep water out if the covering gets damaged. The inspector notes whether that layer is there.
What you get at the end
You get a report, often a short form. It lists what the inspector found in each area. You hand it to your insurance company or your agent.
The insurer reads the report and decides what it means for your policy.
When people usually get one
There is no single rule, so treat these as common patterns, not requirements.
When buying a home. Some buyers ask for one while they set up insurance for the new address.
When the policy is about to renew. Some owners get one so the insurer has the latest details.
Ask your agent what your company wants and when. Some insurers ask for a report. Others only accept one if you choose to send it.
What it does not do
It helps to know the limits. A wind mitigation inspection is not a home inspection. A home inspection looks at the whole house, like plumbing, wiring and appliances. This one looks only at the wind-related features above.
It also does not measure how safe a home is in a storm. It does not predict what will happen in any one storm. It only records features, so an insurance company can decide about a discount.
Wind mitigation inspection for a new construction home
New homes are built with today's building methods, so buyers often ask how a wind mitigation inspection works on a new build. Here is the honest answer. The inspector still looks at the same list of features. The difference is that the home is new, and the builder has plans and permit records for it.
Those records may matter. Whether your insurance company wants them, or wants an inspector's visit, is a question for your agent. Do not guess. Ask.
What Parker Pointe homes list
Parker Pointe is a D.R. Horton community in Homestead, Florida. The homes are in the Tradition Series. The community has five townhomes and four single-family homes, and all nine plans are two stories.
The builder's features sheet for this community lists these items that connect to the wind list above:
A reinforced concrete monolithic foundation slab. That is one solid concrete pour for the base of the home.
Masonry exterior walls.
A professionally engineered roof with hurricane clips and bracing.
Baked-in-color cement roof tiles.
Impact-resistant glass windows and sliding glass doors.
These are listed features of the homes. That is all we are saying. We are not saying any home will earn a discount. We are not saying it will get a certain rating, or that it will pass anything. The inspector and your insurance company make those calls.
Features can change. Ask for the current list when you visit. You can also read the full Tradition Series feature breakdown for Parker Pointe to see everything the builder lists, including the warranty.
The warranty terms are in the documents you receive at purchase. We are happy to walk through them with you.
Which plans should you look at?
Pick a floor plan that fits your life first, then ask about the features list for that home. Start with the full comparison of all nine Parker Pointe floor plans.
If you like the lower-priced homes, read how the five townhome plans compare. Townhomes have recently started from the mid $480,000s to the mid $510,000s.
If you want more space, read how the four single-family plans compare. Those homes have recently started from the low $620,000s to the upper $690,000s.
Pricing and incentives change, so call 561-704-0091 and ask what incentives are available today.
How to prepare for the visit
A little prep makes the day smooth. Here is a short checklist.
Call your insurance agent first. Ask what they need and whether they want an inspection at all.
Ask for the builder's paperwork. Ask what plans or permit records exist for your home, and whether your agent wants them.
Hire a licensed inspector. Ask to see their license before the visit.
Ask what the report will cover. It should list the roof, the deck, the roof-to-wall connections, the openings and the water barrier.
Keep a copy of the report and send it to your agent. Save the file and the paper copy.
Questions to ask your insurance agent
Your agent is the right person to answer these. Write them down before you call.
Do you offer a discount for wind-resistant features?
Which documents do you accept for a new home?
Do you want an inspector's report, or are the builder's plans or permit records enough?
Does the report need to be on a certain form?
When should I send the report, before closing or after?
Do not lean on us for the answers. We are not insurance agents and we cannot give insurance advice. We can help you find a home, and your agent helps with the policy.
Common Questions
What is a wind mitigation inspection?
It is a short check by a licensed inspector. The inspector records which storm-resistant features a Florida home has, such as the roof shape, roof attachment, and window protection. The written report goes to your insurance company, which decides if you qualify for a discount.
Does a new construction home need a wind mitigation inspection?
There is no one answer for every buyer. Some insurers want a report and some do not. Ask your insurance agent what they accept for a new home. The builder's plans or permit records may also matter, so ask your agent about those too.
How much can a wind mitigation report save me?
It depends on your insurer and your home. Amounts differ, and we cannot promise any savings. Ask your insurance agent how your company treats verified wind-resistant features and what the report could mean for your own policy.
Is a wind mitigation inspection the same as a home inspection?
No. A home inspection looks at the whole house, including plumbing, wiring and appliances. A wind mitigation inspection looks only at wind-related features like the roof and windows. It also does not measure how safe a home is in a storm.
What features does a Parker Pointe home list?
The builder lists a reinforced concrete slab, masonry walls, an engineered roof with hurricane clips and bracing, cement roof tiles, and impact-resistant windows and sliding glass doors. Features can change, so ask for the current list. See the Parker Pointe page.
Will my Parker Pointe home pass a wind mitigation inspection?
The inspection is not a pass or fail test. The inspector records what the home has. Parker Pointe homes list features that connect to the inspection, but we cannot promise any result or discount. Your insurance company decides what the report means.
Call 561-704-0091 or book a Parker Pointe tour with Simon to see the homes and ask about the features list in person.
Related reading: D.R. Horton Tradition Series: What Is Included at Parker Pointe, Parker Pointe Floor Plans: All Nine Homes Compared, Parker Pointe Townhome Floor Plans Compared, Parker Pointe Single-Family Floor Plans Compared, and the Parker Pointe community page.