How Much Does a Wind Mitigation Report Save on Insurance?
Learn how a wind mitigation report can reduce your homeowner's insurance premiums based on your home's wind resistance.
A wind mitigation report is a specialized home inspection that documents a property’s features that enhance its resistance to wind damage. This report can provide homeowners with a pathway to reducing their insurance premiums, particularly in regions susceptible to high winds from events like hurricanes or severe storms. By detailing a home’s wind-resistant characteristics, the report helps insurance providers assess risk more accurately, potentially leading to significant savings on coverage costs.
Understanding a Wind Mitigation Report
A wind mitigation report is an inspection document prepared by a qualified professional, such as a licensed general contractor, architect, engineer, or home inspector. It identifies and documents specific construction features that make a home more resilient to wind forces. The findings are compiled into a standardized form, providing a snapshot of the home’s wind resistance.
The inspection assesses structural components like the roof covering, evaluating its age, material, and ability to withstand uplift and water intrusion. It also examines the roof deck attachment, noting how the sheathing is fastened to trusses or rafters, including fastener type and spacing. The roof-to-wall attachment is assessed to see how the roof structure is secured to exterior walls, identifying methods like toe-nails, clips, or wraps.
Secondary Water Resistance (SWR) refers to an underlayment or sealing method that acts as a barrier against water intrusion if the primary roof covering is compromised. Opening protection assesses safeguards for windows, doors, and skylights, such as hurricane shutters or impact-resistant glass. Roof geometry, like the shape of the roof, is also considered, as hip roofs typically perform better in high winds than gable roofs.
How Wind Mitigation Features Influence Insurance Premiums
Insurance pricing is based on risk assessment; properties with lower risk of future claims generally incur lower premiums. Homes with documented wind-resistant features are less likely to sustain severe damage during high wind events. This reduces financial risk for insurance companies.
Specific wind mitigation features reduce this risk. For instance, robust roof-to-wall attachments lessen the chance of a roof detaching during a storm, preventing significant structural damage. Effective opening protection, such as impact-resistant windows, helps prevent internal pressure buildup when wind enters a home, which can lead to roof failure. Insurers recognize these features mitigate the cost of potential wind-related payouts.
Many jurisdictions encourage or mandate insurers to offer discounts for these protective features. These incentives promote property resilience and reduce overall disaster-related losses. Insurers translate the reduced risk of damage and claim costs into premium discounts, reflecting decreased financial exposure.
Estimating Your Potential Insurance Savings
The exact amount of homeowner’s insurance savings from a wind mitigation report varies. Several factors influence these reductions. A home’s geographic location is important, as properties in wind-prone areas like coastal regions often see greater discounts due to the higher wind portion of their premium.
The specific insurance provider also affects savings, as companies offer varying discount structures. The age of a home is a factor; newer homes built to stringent codes typically incorporate many wind-resistant features, while older homes might require retrofitting for substantial discounts. The more wind-resistant features a home has and the higher their documented rating, the greater the potential discount. For example, a home with a hip roof and comprehensive opening protection may receive a more favorable discount than one with only a strong roof-to-wall attachment.
Savings are applied as a percentage reduction to the windstorm portion of the homeowner’s insurance premium, which can be a significant part of the total cost in high-risk zones. Homeowners often report savings ranging from 5% to 45% on their windstorm premium. A hip roof might reduce the hurricane portion of the premium by approximately $120 annually, while a Secondary Water Resistance barrier could save around $360. These figures are estimates, and actual savings depend on each property and policy.
Getting and Submitting Your Wind Mitigation Report
Obtaining a wind mitigation report begins with selecting a qualified inspector. Homeowners should seek licensed general contractors, professional engineers, or certified home inspectors specializing in wind mitigation assessments. Confirm their credentials and request references to ensure accuracy. The inspector will conduct a physical examination of the home’s wind-resistant features, often taking photographs and measurements.
The inspection process typically takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the home’s size and complexity. The cost generally ranges from $125 to $175, though this varies by location and provider. Once complete, the inspector compiles findings into a standardized report form, usually ready within two business days.
After receiving the completed report, homeowners should submit it directly to their insurance company or agent. Submission can often be done via email, mail, or an online portal, depending on the insurer’s preferred method. The insurance company will then review the report to verify documented features and calculate eligible discounts. A wind mitigation report is typically valid for five years; however, if significant home changes occur, like a roof replacement, a new inspection may be required to update policy discounts.