If you are buying a home or renewing insurance in Florida, you have probably heard two terms come up: wind mitigation inspection and 4-point inspection. They sound similar, and many homeowners assume they are the same thing. They are not. Each inspection serves a different purpose, covers different parts of your home, and is required for different reasons.
Understanding the difference between a wind mitigation and 4-point inspection can save you time, money, and confusion during the buying or insurance renewal process. Here is a clear breakdown of what each one involves and when you need them.
What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
A wind mitigation inspection evaluates how well your home is built to resist hurricane-force winds. Florida law requires insurance companies to offer premium discounts to homeowners whose properties have specific wind-resistant features, and this inspection documents those features.
The inspector follows the OIR-B1-1802 form, which is the standard mitigation verification form approved by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. The inspection typically takes 30 to 45 minutes and focuses on seven specific areas:
- Roof covering type and installation date
- Roof deck attachment method and nail spacing
- Roof-to-wall connections (clips, single wraps, or double wraps)
- Roof geometry (hip vs. gable)
- Secondary water resistance barrier
- Opening protection (impact windows, hurricane shutters, rated garage doors)
- Wall construction type
The purpose is simple: the more wind-resistant features your home has, the lower your insurance premium can be. Many homeowners in South Florida save hundreds of dollars a year with a current wind mitigation report on file.
What Is a 4-Point Inspection?
A 4-point inspection is completely different in scope and purpose. Instead of focusing on wind resistance, it evaluates the condition and age of four major home systems:
- Roof — Type, age, and overall condition of the roof covering
- Electrical — Panel type, wiring, amperage, and any known hazards (such as Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels)
- Plumbing — Pipe materials, water heater age, and any visible leaks or outdated materials like polybutylene
- HVAC — Age, type, and working condition of the heating and air conditioning system
Insurance companies use the 4-point inspection to assess the overall risk of insuring an older home. If any of these four systems are outdated, damaged, or present a known hazard, the insurer may require repairs before issuing or renewing a policy.
When Is Each One Required?
The requirements for each inspection differ depending on your situation.
A wind mitigation inspection is not technically required by law, but it is the only way to qualify for wind mitigation insurance discounts in Florida. Without a current report, your insurer calculates your premium assuming your home has no wind-resistant features, which means you are likely paying more than you need to. Wind mitigation reports are valid for five years.
A 4-point inspection is typically required by insurance companies for homes that are 20 years old or older. Some insurers set the threshold at 25 or 30 years. If your home falls into this age range and you are applying for a new policy or renewing an existing one, your insurer will almost certainly ask for a 4-point report. These reports are usually valid for one to three years depending on the carrier.
Key Differences at a Glance
Here is a quick comparison to summarize:
- Wind Mitigation focuses on wind-resistance features. A 4-Point focuses on the condition of four major systems.
- Wind Mitigation helps you get insurance discounts. A 4-Point helps you get or keep insurance coverage.
- Wind Mitigation is voluntary but financially smart. A 4-Point is usually required for older homes.
- Wind Mitigation reports last five years. 4-Point reports last one to three years.
- Wind Mitigation follows the OIR-B1-1802 form. A 4-Point follows insurer-specific or standardized forms covering roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
Do You Need Both?
In many cases, yes. If you are buying a home that is 20 or more years old, your insurance company will likely require a 4-point inspection and you will want a wind mitigation inspection to maximize your premium savings. If you are purchasing a newer home, you may only need the wind mitigation, but having both on file gives you the most complete picture.
The good news is that both inspections can be done at the same time by the same inspector, which saves you the hassle of scheduling multiple appointments.
How InspectionNow Handles Both
At InspectionNow, we make this easy. Every pre-purchase home inspection includes both a Wind Mitigation inspection and a 4-Point inspection at no extra charge. That is normally a $299 value, and most companies in the area charge separately for each report.
You can also schedule a Wind Mitigation and 4-Point bundle on its own if you do not need a full home inspection, which is common for insurance renewals or existing homeowners looking to lower their premiums.
All reports are delivered within 24 hours, so you can submit them to your insurance company without any delays during your due diligence period. Our inspections also include aerial drone photography and thermal imaging at no additional cost.
Serving All of South Florida
InspectionNow performs wind mitigation and 4-point inspections throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Whether you are in Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Doral, or anywhere else in the Tri-County area, we can get you on the schedule quickly.
Schedule Your Inspection
If you need a wind mitigation inspection, a 4-point inspection, or both, call or text (954) 543-1177 to book your appointment, or request a free quote online. We will get your reports done right and back to you fast so you can move forward with confidence.
