Inspections

When purchasing a home in Florida, the cost of hazard insurance can be a major issue. From my experience, the newer the home, the lower your insurance costs will be. Insurance rates start high and then are reduced (discounted) based on many factors, like age, roof design, roof type, your credit score. That said, homes that were built older than 2002 will need an inspection to determine if any insurance discounts can be had. This inspection is called a Wind Mitigation Inspection (Report). In areas that require windstorm insurance, state law entitles you to certain premium reductions, but without an inspection, you will not get them. During a wind mitigation inspection, a certified inspector reports on the key features that may decrease the amount of damage your home suffers during a hurricane or strong windstorm. These features fall into several categories, such as exterior construction type, roof shape and construction methods, age of roof covering, door and window opening protection as well as the actual year the home was built. Another factor may be the elevation of a property and how it relates to wind speed.