If your property was built between 1980-2001 and you haven’t done even a single wind mitigation inspection, it’s about time you do it.
This is usually a $75-$100 one-time inspection that will save you a lot of cash on insurance premiums going forward.
So what is wind mitigation inspection, what does this inspection involve, and what are the important details?
Find out everything in this blog.
Understanding Wind Mitigation Inspection
This inspection considers seven important areas of your roof to understand its capacity to resist strong winds and water invasion.
Massive winds can push rain against your house, pushing water into any crevice or crack.
Your home’s roof is the most exposed during windy weather. This is why wind mitigation inspections concentrate on your roof.
The inspection document will review seven areas:
- Decking of Roof: What your decking’s material (i.e., the elements your shingles are nailed to) is constructed of, how far apart the nails are, and the type of nails fastening the shingles
- Year of construction: Your home’s build year indicates how compliant the property is with state laws.
- Opening Protections: whether you have extra protections on openings like garage doors, sunroofs, windows, etc.
- Wall to Roof Attachment: The system is used to connect the roof to your walls.
- The shape of Your Roof: Your roof’s slope and shape.
- Secondary Water Resistance: the material type between the roof deck and shingles.
- Roof Covering: The age and type of roof covers like tile, metal, or shingle.
Certainly, the latest, powerful, and better built your roof is, the more strength it can offer against wind damage.
Benefits of Wind Mitigation
The most valid reason for taking a wind mitigation inspection is to save cash on your insurance premiums!
Legally, your insurance company must give you insurance discounts for a “passing grade.” The more wind-shielding features your roof has, the higher your discount.
In a nutshell:
- Latest roofs;
- Bigger nails placed closer together;
- Upgraded elements;
- Secondary water protection; and
- High-quality doors, shutters, windows etc.
All the above will get you additional “credits” that your insurer will transform into discounts.
What Can You Expect From a Wind Mitigation Inspection
This inspection type is a visual analysis of your roof’s condition and the methods used during its construction.
Unlike a standard home inspection, a wind mitigation inspection centers on your roof. For this reason, you need to be there to allow the inspector to enter the attic and see your roof’s underside.
The inspector will also take pictures of your roof. This establishes the validity of their document and helps counter fraud.
Standard wind mitigation can be completed within an hour, and the inspection charge is also low, just about $100. But the cost should outweigh the security aspects.
Who Can Perform a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
Legally, such inspections can only be done by an accredited building contractor, engineer, general contractor, building inspector, home inspector, or architect.
Professional home inspectors are usually used for most wind mitigation inspections. A licensed home inspector can simultaneously perform wind mitigation, 4-point, and/or standard inspections if you are buying a home. Many inspectors also give a discount for doing multiple inspections at the same time.
How Much Money Can You Save with a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
Like most insurance-related things, there’s no way to know for certain.
There is no uniformity among insurers for the amount of discounts they offer, but there’s also no consensus on the scientific basis that certain roof features can be considered “safer” and/or more resistant to wind than others.
The insurance company you choose will have specific factors that make your home susceptible to risk. That’s why Insurer A may offer a discount of 5% because your roof is secured by clips rather than nails, and Insurer B may only give you the 1% discount.
It doesn’t mean that wind mitigation inspections don’t have value.
Most of the time, the inspections are worth the cost by generating at least $80-$100 per year in credit for a minimum of five years (if not more). Often, the credit can be as high as hundreds, or perhaps thousands of dollars.
It is very uncommon for that you’ll not gain credits. Without a wind mitigation test, the insurance company will assume that your house has the weakest wind-resistant elements that are available. Informing them that you have at least a handful of these are required to get discounts.
You will not be charged more unless you’ve had a previous wind mitigation test that revealed inaccurate findings to your advantage.
A Few Facts About Windstorms and Wind Insurance
Legally, insurance companies in certain states like Florida have to provide credits and reductions on home insurance rates for homeowners who take appropriate steps to shield their properties from wind-related damage.
The bulk of the cost for your insurance for your home could actually result from the possibility of wind-related damages. As per the Florida Division of Emergency Management, approximately 15 to 70 percent of your premiums could be attributed to the possibility of wind-related damage, based on the location of your home, the insurer and other information.
Therefore, proving to your insurance provider that you’ve undergone a wind mitigation check and that your property is protected from wind damage can save hundreds of dollars every year, more than enough to cover the cost of an examination.
Don’t be concerned. There’s no chance that your insurance rates will increase after a wind mitigation check. The cost of your insurance will not increase due to your inspection.
How Long Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection Valid?
The inspection is valid for 5 years. If you reside in an area of moderate to low risk and are looking to purchase insurance with protection for your property, the cost could be less than you imagine.
Conclusion
Wind mitigation inspections are the simplest ways to cut money on your insurance premiums.
For just half an hour of your time and a few hundred bucks, your inspection can lead to crucial insurance reductions over the years to come.
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