4-Point and Wind Mitigation Inspections in Florida

A 4-point inspection looks at the four systems insurers worry about most in older buildings:

• Roof: type, age, condition, and how much life it has left.
• Electrical: the panel, the wiring type, and any hazards.
• Plumbing: the pipe material, the water heater, and any leaks.
• HVAC: the age, type and condition of heating and cooling equipment.

Insurers usually ask for one on older buildings, but there’s no single statewide age cutoff. Each insurer sets its own, so ask yours. Items that commonly cause problems include older roofs, certain older electrical panels, aluminum branch wiring, and polybutylene plumbing.

A wind mitigation inspection documents the features that help a building hold up in a hurricane. Florida law requires residential insurers’ rates to include discounts for proven wind-mitigation features, like roof strength, roof-to-wall connections and opening protection (§627.0629), so a good report can lower your premium. The inspector records findings on the state’s Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, OIR-B1-1802, which covers:

• Roof covering, and whether it meets current building code
• How the roof deck is attached
• How the roof is connected to the walls, such as clips or straps
• Roof shape (hip roofs score better than gable roofs)
• Secondary water resistance under the roof covering
• Opening protection: impact windows, doors, garage doors, or shutters

The form is valid for up to five years, as long as no material changes are made to the building and no inaccuracies turn up on the form. A new roof, impact windows or new shutters are worth a fresh inspection, since they can earn new discounts.

Florida law spells out who may sign a wind mitigation form, including licensed home inspectors with state-approved hurricane mitigation training, certified building code inspectors, licensed general, building or residential contractors, engineers, and architects (§627.711). Many inspectors do both inspections in one visit. Before you book, confirm the inspector’s license and ask which insurer forms they use.

1. Gather what you have: roof permit and install year, water heater and AC ages, any electrical or plumbing upgrades.
2. Make the attic, electrical panel, water heater and AC equipment easy to reach.
3. Have receipts or permits ready for impact windows, shutters, or a recent reroof. They can earn credits.
4. Fix small, cheap items first, like a missing panel cover or a leaking valve, so they don’t show up on the report.
5. Send both reports to your agent and ask which discounts were applied.

A 4-point report that flags the roof, panel or plumbing usually means your insurer wants it fixed before they write or renew the policy. Get itemized quotes from licensed pros, and check every license before you hire. The insurer may ask for proof of the repair, so keep the invoice and any permit.