Wind Mitigation saves $$$$ on Homeowners Insurance

 

Who is eligible for a wind mitigation inspection discount?

The State of Florida requires all insurance companies to offer wind mitigation discounts to Florida homeowners.  Wind insurance credits are obtainable on the building features that reduce damage during high winds on all single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and commercial buildings. Many existing structures have one or more of the wind-resistivity construction features already. Homeowners, as well as condominium associations, qualify for wind mitigation credits.

 

How do I save money?

The State of Florida requires insurance companies to offer reduced rates for certain wind mitigation features. A wind mitigation inspection must be performed by a certified wind mitigation inspector; Home Inspector, Building Code Inspector, an engineer, an architect, or any other individual that holds the necessary qualifications as described by Florida Statues.  A wind mitigation inspector will document features of your home on the required OIR-B1-1802 Wind Mitigation form and take photographs of them, which when applied to your insurance policy will decrease the cost of your homeowner’s insurance.

 

How much money can I save with a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

Wind mitigation features are mandated by state law and can total 45 percent of the original windstorm policy’s premium.  Insurance companies are required to offer discounts for features that qualify for wind storm credits.  A Wind Mitigation Inspection can save you as much as $1,260 on a homeowner’s insurance policy of $2,800.

 

How much does a wind mitigation inspection cost in Florida?

The cost of Wind Mitigation Inspections varies by region in Florida.  Orlando Wind Mitigation Inspection costs average $200.  Miami costs are around $225 while the cost of North and Central Florida remains between $150 and $200.  A wind mitigation certificate is good for five years.  Once you have your Wind Mitigation Certificate it will reduce your premium and save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars each year.

 

How do I schedule a wind mitigation inspection in Central Florida?

Call for Insurance Inspection Quotes at 386-624-3893.  For more information Seminole County Wind Mitigation .

Frank Carr, Florida Licensed Home
Inspector

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn
E-Mail:  home.inspections@aol.com

The First Florida Building Code

The Florida Building Code

The Florida Building Code became effective on March 1, 2002 and was created by the law ratified by Florida Legislature in 1998. The Florida Building Commission was motivated to create the first state-wide building code after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida on August 24, 1992.  Just because we have it now, people assume we have always had a building code in Florida.  New home buyers always ask my if the house they are buying is built to code.  As a home inspector we do not quote code but the code in Florida is new.  If you are buying a home built before 2002 the question, "Is the home built to code?" is not relevant. 

South Florida Building Code

South Florida Building Code has been around much longer. The reason for creating the South Florida Building Code was tropical and hurricane storm damage.  Between 1900 and 1950 108 Hurricanes affected the State of Florida resulting in 3,500 deaths and property damage that would be equal to 4.5 billion dollars in today's currency.

In South Florida, a panel was formed and they worked with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and other research groups to devise wind-loading design. They created a formula for calculating anticipated wind loads from hurricane force winds, taking into account both the wind speed and the height above ground.  Miami-Dade County commissioners voted October 29, 1957 and the South Florida Building Code became effective in Miami-Dade County, December 31, 1957.  Broward County later adopted a modified version of the South Florida Building Code, Dade County Edition.

Florida Building Code Background

When Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida, it exhibited a serious statewide deficiency in home construction standards. Our antiquated system of locally administered building codes and enforcement was inadequate. A statewide building code and enforcement agency was needed. Compliance or enforcement in a single county could affect homeowner insurance companies statewide.

Andrew broke all previous records for insurance losses at the time, and was the direct source of Florida's worst insurance catastrophe. Florida was seriously under-insured and overexposed; insurers suddenly comprehended that all of the worst case calculations were completely underestimated. 

Many insurers just left Florida and the ones that stayed raised rates to staggering new levels in order to avoid the very real risk of sudden bankruptcy following another huge storm. Homeowners all over Florida were affected as they saw their rates rise drastically and found a lack of available new insurance threatening to pull the plug on development in every part of the state.

We were using the 5th Edition of the Florida Building Code from 2014. The Effective Date for the Florida Building Code 6th Edition (2017) is December 31, 2017.

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties.  Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.

First Choice Home Inspections 
(386) 624-3893
Email:  home.inspections@aol.com
Website:  http://1homeinspector.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn