If you own a home in Florida, you already know that homeowners insurance companies and rates can be a rollercoaster. Between hurricanes, windstorms, and rising premiums, many homeowners are looking for practical ways to lower premiums without sacrificing important coverage.
One of the quickest, easiest, and most effective ways to lower your homeowners insurance premium? Get a 4-point inspection and a wind mitigation inspection.
What Is a 4-Point Inspection?
A 4-point inspection conducted by a licensed inspector focuses on validating updates to the four major systems in your home:
- Electrical
- Plumbing (including water heater)
- HVAC (heating and cooling)
- Roof
Insurance companies use this report to determine the overall condition of your home. If these systems are updated and in good shape, you’re seen as a lower risk—which can lead to eligibility to more markets. The more markets your home qualifies for, the more competitive rate options you have.
At Harris Insurance, we recommend four point inspections for properties (owner occupied or tenant occupied) when the home is 20 years or older. Not all markets require four point inspections at 20 years old, but in order to qualify for the most markets possible, it would be beneficial to invest in a four point inspection.
What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
This is where the real savings often happen.A wind mitigation inspection looks at how well your home can withstand strong winds and storms. It confirms characteristics like:
- Roof shape and condition
- Roof-to-wall attachments
- Opening protection of windows, doors, and garage door
- Hurricane clips or straps
- Impact windows or shutters
- Secondary water resistance or peel-and-stick underlayment
If your home has extra features that protect against wind damage, insurance companies will reward you with discounts. We’ve seen wind mitigation discounts range from hundreds to thousands on policies.
If your home was built in 2002 or after, you will automatically get some Wind Mitigation discounts simply due to building code. However, if your roof has been updated, you should invest in a new wind mitigation form. Wind Mits are typically good for five years, but if you renew with an insurance company, they can last longer than that. Wind mitigations are the best way to add value to your policy because the insurance company gives wind mitigation credits every year, not just at the start of the policy.
If your home was built prior to 2002, we always recommend a wind mitigation inspection. It’s not a requirement and we do have markets that will insure you without one, but the discounts almost always outweigh the investment of the inspection.
Why These Inspections Matter
Insurance companies in Florida heavily weigh location and storm risk. These inspections can document your home is built—or upgraded—to handle that risk. It also proves that you are a homeowner who has taken steps to upgrade your home and reduce potential damage. That’s exactly what insurers want to see.
How Much Can You Save?
Savings vary, but many Florida homeowners see:
- More market options (value)
- Hundreds to thousands of dollars per year in discounts
- The benefit of lower deductibles in some cases
- Better chances of staying insured with certain carriers at renewal and not being “dropped”
And the best part? These inspections are usually relatively inexpensive compared to the savings they can generate. Depending on your location, a quick Google search can generate many licensed local inspectors who can give you their pricing for four point and/or wind mitigation inspections.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a straightforward way to lower your homeowners insurance in Florida, start here.
A 4-point inspection helps you qualify. In most cases, four points are valid for 1 calendar year.
A wind mitigation inspection helps you save. In most cases, wind mitigations are valid for 5 years—sometimes longer.
Ordering these inspections is one of the simplest moves you can make that delivers real, long-term financial benefits—especially in a state where every insurance dollar counts.
Contact Harris Insurance today to review your current policy and advise on how these inspections could help you.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Views expressed here do not constitute legal advice. The information contained herein is for general guidance of matter only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Discussion of insurance policy language is descriptive only. Every policy has different policy language. Coverage afforded under any insurance policy issued is subject to individual policy terms and conditions. Please refer to your policy for the actual language.
