Between 1980 and 2023, hurricanes caused $1.3 trillion in damages, making them the most financially destructive weather disaster in the U.S.[?]
Heavy winds can cause severe damage to your foundation, roof, and windows. While most home insurance policies cover wind perils, you may see higher premiums or need additional coverage if you live in a state at a high risk of strong winds, like Florida. Fortunately, you can lower your insurance rates by strengthening your home with wind mitigation features.
Here’s what to know about wind mitigation and finding affordable coverage.
Wind mitigation refers to features that improve your home’s ability to withstand high-pressure winds during a major storm. Wind resistance measures are important to protect your home from major losses due to strong winds and flying debris. More importantly, it keeps you and your family safe from severe weather.
Many insurance companies offer wind mitigation credits or discounts to homeowners with windstorm mitigation features. This can lead to long-term savings on your insurance policy.
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Florida requires home insurance companies to offer homeowners wind mitigation discounts. To qualify for discounts, homeowners must get a wind mitigation inspection, which remains valid for up to five years in the state.
Floridians also qualify for the My Safe Florida Home program, which offers matching grants to homeowners who install hurricane-resistant features. For every $1 spent on mitigation efforts, the initiative rewards $2 in matching funds, up to $10,000.[?] Its status and availability may vary, so homeowners should check current details.
Before buying a home insurance policy in Florida, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
While a standard home insurance policy covers wind perils, homeowners in high-risk areas may need additional windstorm insurance or pay higher home insurance premiums for windstorm protection. In Florida, the wind portion of your premium can comprise up to 70% of your policy. Any wind mitigation discounts you obtain apply to the hurricane-wind portion of your premium.[?]
You may have to pay a separate deductible for a hurricane and wind damage claim. Deductible options include $500, 2%, 5%, or 10% of your dwelling coverage limit.[?]
Insurance companies can deny insurance to high-risk homes. If you don’t qualify for coverage through traditional insurers, you may qualify for state-backed coverage from Citizens Property Insurance. Rates through Citizens are typically more expensive, and you have to prove rejection from traditional insurers.
Insurers determine your premiums based on your likelihood of filing a claim. Stormproofing your home reduces the likelihood of needing to file a claim due to wind damage, keeping your premiums low.
Even though wind damage can increase your premiums, wind mitigation discounts can help you save on your coverage. States with wind mitigation incentives include Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Texas.
Homeowners in these states can save up to 55% on their home insurance policy.[?] Actual savings vary based on factors like the insurance company, home location, and specific mitigation measures.
To qualify for savings, insurers examine the following building features for windstorm resistance:
Type of roof covering
Compliance with building codes
Design and shape of the roof
Secure roof and wall connections
Protection for doors and windows
Presence of a secondary water barrier on roof
You need a wind mitigation inspection from a certified inspector to qualify for insurance discounts. Windstorm inspections cost about $75–$150, but it’s a small up-front cost to pay for the thousands you could save on insurance and reducing damages.
Follow these steps to obtain a wind mitigation inspection:
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Wind mitigation efforts protect your home and can save you money on your premiums. Some types of wind mitigation measures to consider include:[?]
Replacing damaged or warped shingles
Upgrading to a more wind-resistant roof, such as installing concrete tiles or a hip roof
Reinforcing roof-to-wall connections using roof deck attachments like hurricane clips, single wraps, or double wraps
Sealing your roof deck to protect against water intrusion
Upgrading glazed surfaces with impact-resistant windows or installing hurricane shutters
Replacing exterior doors with hurricane-rated doors
Anchoring and bracing garage doors to withstand high winds
Some wind mitigation strategies may be more challenging to perform. For example, large projects, like upgrading your roof and reinforcing your foundation, can require significant labor and professional help.
Installing braces on your doors is a more manageable project. You can even find DIY bracing kits, making this a more cost-effective way to protect your home compared to replacing your exterior and garage doors with hurricane-rated doors.
Another cost-effective way to mitigate wind damage is installing panel shutters instead of impact-resistant windows. While they’re more expensive, homeowners may prefer impact-resistant windows for their appearance.
Wind mitigation can be an important way to protect your home. The following FAQs provide more information about wind mitigation and its benefits.
Wind mitigation in insurance refers to installing home features that mitigate wind damage. Insurance companies may examine roof-to-wall connections, roof covering, roof deck attachments, roof geometry, roof secondary water resistance, and protection for wind-mitigating elements.
Wind mitigation can save you up to 55% in Florida. How much you save depends on your insurance company and mitigation types.
No. Florida doesn’t require homeowners to install wind mitigation features. But the state strongly encourages it due to the increased risk of severe wind damage. You can also benefit from significant savings by reinforcing your home against wind damage.
Some common wind mitigation features include a secondary water barrier on your roof, roof-to-wall connectors, panel shutters, and wind-resistant doors. Roof shape and material also play a role in mitigating wind damage.
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