Wind mitigation inspections for Florida buyers: what the 2026 form checks, who can sign it, and how it affects your insurance quote
October 31, 2026 · Zach Curtis, REALTOR®, Realty Hub
Short answer: a wind mitigation inspection documents the features of a home that reduce wind damage, such as the roof covering, how the roof deck and roof are attached, the roof shape, and the protection on windows and doors. Florida requires insurers to offer discounts or credits for those features, so get the inspection done during your inspection period and send it with your insurance quote request.
Why it matters to a buyer
Florida law requires residential property insurance rate filings to include actuarially reasonable discounts, credits or other rate differentials, or lower deductibles, for homes with construction features shown to reduce windstorm losses (section 627.0629). Insurers must also post their hurricane mitigation discounts on their websites, and must tell you the available discounts when they issue a policy and at each renewal (section 627.711). Insurance is part of your monthly payment, so the inspection can change what you can afford; see flood insurance for condo buyers for the separate flood side.
The form changed in 2026
The inspection is recorded on Florida's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, OIR-B1-1802. The Office of Insurance Regulation updated it effective April 1, 2026 (OIR wind mitigation resources), and the Department of Financial Services says the new version must be used for inspections from that date, while inspections done before then may use the older 2012 form (DFS mitigation forms).
The 2026 form asks about (OIR-B1-1802, Rev. 04/26):
- Building code in force when the home was permitted. For the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, which the form defines as Miami-Dade and Broward counties, that includes the 1994 South Florida Building Code.
- Region based on design wind speed.
- Roof slope.
- Roof covering, with permit dates or product approval numbers.
- Roof deck attachment.
- Roof-to-wall attachment.
- Roof geometry, such as hip or flat.
- Sealed roof deck or secondary water resistance.
- Opening protection for windows, doors and skylights.
The form says at least one photo or document must back up each feature marked in questions 2 through 9. That's why permit records for a newer roof or impact windows are worth requesting from the seller early.
Who can sign it, and how long it lasts
The form lists the professionals who may sign it under section 627.711(2): a licensed home inspector who has completed the required hurricane mitigation training and exam, a certified building code inspector, a licensed general, building or residential contractor, a professional engineer, a licensed architect, or another person or entity the insurer recognizes as qualified. Per the form and DFS, a completed form is valid for up to five years as long as there are no material changes to the structure and no inaccuracies are found.
If the seller has a form that's less than five years old, ask for it and the photos. If the roof or windows were replaced since, a new inspection will reflect the upgrades.
Condo buyers: whose building is it?
In a condo, the association's property insurance must cover the condominium property as originally built, while the unit owner is responsible for items inside the unit such as floor, wall and ceiling coverings, appliances, water heaters, cabinets, countertops and window treatments (section 718.111(11)). Wind features like the roof and the building's structure are mostly the association's to insure, so ask how the building's insurance is priced and what it costs in the budget; read why condo fees are so high. For your own unit policy, ask your agent whether any unit-level features, such as impact windows you're responsible for, affect your premium.
How to fit it into your purchase
- Ask the listing agent for any existing wind mitigation form, permits for the roof and windows, and the roof's age.
- Book the wind mitigation inspection with your home inspection, inside the inspection period in your contract.
- Send the form to two or three insurance agents for quotes before the inspection period ends.
- Put the quoted premium in the affordability calculator and share it with your lender.
- Keep the form and photos; you can reuse them at renewal while they're valid.
Related: buyer closing costs in Broward. Browse Hollywood, Dania Beach, West Park and Hallandale Beach homes. When you're ready, start at Ready to buy.
Zach Curtis, Realtor, Realty Hub, license SL3664129. General information, not legal, tax, insurance or lending advice. Discounts vary by insurer; ask a licensed insurance agent for a quote.
Questions? Ask Zach
I'm Zach Curtis, a REALTOR® with Realty Hub in Hallandale Beach. I help renters and buyers in Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Aventura and nearby. Zach will reply as soon as he can.
Questions
What is a wind mitigation inspection in Florida?
It's an inspection recorded on Florida's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802) that documents features reducing wind damage, such as roof covering, roof deck and roof-to-wall attachment, roof shape, secondary water resistance and opening protection.
Does a wind mitigation inspection lower insurance in Florida?
It can. Florida law requires residential property insurance rate filings to include discounts, credits or deductible reductions for features shown to reduce windstorm losses. The amount depends on the home and the insurer.
How long is a wind mitigation report valid in Florida?
Up to five years, as long as there are no material changes to the structure and no inaccuracies are found on the form.
Who can do a wind mitigation inspection in Florida?
The form lists licensed home inspectors with the required hurricane mitigation training, certified building code inspectors, licensed general, building or residential contractors, professional engineers, licensed architects, and others the insurer recognizes as qualified.
Is there a new wind mitigation form in 2026?
Yes. OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) took effect April 1, 2026, and DFS says it must be used for inspections from that date.
Do condo buyers need a wind mitigation inspection?
The association insures the building, so the building's wind features mostly affect its master policy and your dues. Ask your insurance agent whether unit-level features you're responsible for affect your own policy.
Sources
Published October 31, 2026 by Zach Curtis, REALTOR®, Realty Hub, license SL3664129. General information for South Florida, not legal, tax, insurance or lending advice. Laws, programs and prices change; check the official sources above, and ask a Florida attorney, CPA, insurance agent or lender about your situation. Listing numbers are asking prices and rents from BeachesMLS on the date shown. Equal Housing Opportunity. Zach Curtis and Realty Hub follow federal, Florida and Broward County fair housing law. Every listing is open to everyone. We never steer anyone by race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected class.