If you own a home in Pembroke Pines, there is a good chance you are paying more for homeowners insurance than you need to. A wind mitigation inspection can change that. This simple inspection evaluates how well your home is built to withstand hurricane-force winds, and the results can qualify you for significant insurance discounts.
Here is what every Pembroke Pines homeowner should know about wind mitigation inspections, what they cover, and why they matter in South Florida.
What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
A wind mitigation inspection is a standardized evaluation required by Florida insurance companies. A licensed inspector examines specific features of your home that affect its ability to resist wind damage during a hurricane. The inspection follows the OIR-B1-1802 form, which is the uniform mitigation verification form approved by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.
Unlike a full home inspection, a wind mitigation focuses exclusively on wind-resistance features. It typically takes 30 to 45 minutes and does not require any invasive testing.
What Does the Inspector Evaluate?
The wind mitigation inspection covers seven key areas of your home:
Roof Covering
The inspector identifies the type of roof covering (shingle, tile, metal) and verifies when it was installed. Roofs installed after the 2001 Florida Building Code update generally qualify for better credits because they meet stricter wind-resistance standards.
Roof Deck Attachment
This refers to how your roof decking (the plywood layer) is fastened to the trusses or rafters. Homes with closer nail spacing and ring-shank nails receive better ratings than those with staples or wider spacing.
Roof-to-Wall Connection
The inspector checks how the roof structure connects to the exterior walls. Clips, single wraps, and double wraps each provide increasing levels of wind resistance. Hurricane straps or clips are a major factor in insurance discounts.
Roof Geometry
Hip roofs, which slope on all four sides, perform better in high winds than gable roofs. The inspector measures the roof shape and calculates the percentage of hip features.
Secondary Water Resistance (SWR)
If the roof covering is torn off during a storm, SWR prevents water from entering through the roof deck. Homes with a sealed roof deck or peel-and-stick underlayment qualify for this credit.
Opening Protection
All exterior openings including windows, doors, skylights, and garage doors are evaluated. Homes with hurricane shutters, impact-resistant windows, or rated garage doors that meet the Miami-Dade or Florida Building Code standards qualify for wind-borne debris protection credits.
Wall Construction
The inspector documents the type of exterior wall construction. Concrete block and poured concrete walls are common in Pembroke Pines and generally receive favorable ratings.
Why Pembroke Pines Homeowners Should Get One
Pembroke Pines sits in Broward County, one of the most hurricane-exposed areas in the state. Many homes in the city were built during the 1980s and 1990s construction boom, and a significant number were built or re-roofed after 2002 when the updated Florida Building Code took effect. This means many Pembroke Pines homes already have features that qualify for insurance discounts but the homeowner has never had them documented.
Without a wind mitigation report on file, your insurance company assumes the worst-case scenario when calculating your premium. Getting the inspection done puts documented proof of your home’s wind-resistance features in front of your insurer.
Insurance savings vary, but many homeowners in Pembroke Pines and throughout Broward County see annual premium reductions that far exceed the one-time cost of the inspection. The report is valid for five years, so those savings add up.
When Should You Get a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
You should consider scheduling a wind mitigation inspection if:
- You have never had one done on your current home
- Your roof has been replaced or repaired since your last inspection
- You have added hurricane shutters, impact windows, or a new garage door
- Your current wind mitigation report is older than five years
- You are shopping for new homeowners insurance
- You recently purchased your home and want to lower your premium
What Is Included With an InspectionNow Wind Mitigation
At InspectionNow, every wind mitigation inspection includes a complete evaluation of all seven categories on the OIR-B1-1802 form. We provide your report within 24 hours so you can submit it to your insurance company right away.
If you are scheduling a pre-purchase home inspection, your wind mitigation inspection and 4-Point inspection are included at no extra charge, a combined value of $299. This is part of every pre-purchase inspection we perform in Pembroke Pines and throughout Broward County.
Our inspections include aerial drone photography and thermal imaging at no additional cost, giving you and your insurance company clear visual documentation of your roof and home exterior.
Schedule Your Wind Mitigation Inspection in Pembroke Pines
If you are a homeowner in Pembroke Pines and want to find out how much you could save on your insurance, a wind mitigation inspection is the first step. Call or text (954) 543-1177 to schedule your inspection, or request a free quote online.
InspectionNow is licensed and insured (HI2355, NACHI 11053111) and serves all of Pembroke Pines, Broward County, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties.
