Big Changes to Florida’s Wind Mitigation Form:

What Homeowners Need to Know

If you own a home in Florida, your wind mitigation inspection report helps determine how much you pay for homeowners insurance.

Starting April 1, 2026, a new version of Florida’s Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form takes effect — and it could change the discounts you receive.

Here’s a plain-language breakdown of what’s changing and how it may affect you.

What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

A wind mitigation inspection is a professional review of your home’s ability to resist hurricane-force winds.

Features like strong roof connections, hurricane straps, and special roofing materials can earn you discounts on your homeowners insurance premium.

The results are recorded on Florida’s official Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form.

For more details, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has a helpful resource page for homeowners.

What’s Changing on April 1, 2026?

Stricter Proof Required

The biggest change is the level of documentation now required.

In the past, an inspector could use general observations to confirm your home’s features.

Under the new form, that’s no longer enough. Inspectors must now provide:

Specific permits and product approval numbers
High-resolution photos of every mitigation feature
“Black-and-white” evidence — if something can’t be clearly documented, it likely won’t receive credit

This stricter standard is meant to create consistency across all insurance companies,

but it also means some features that previously earned discounts may no longer qualify.

The Building Code Question

The new form adds a question about whether your home was built after December 8, 2006,

when Florida adopted the 2007 Florida Building Code (FBC).

Homes built under that code or later were often automatically credited for features like hurricane straps and deck nailing.

How insurance companies will apply this credit under the new form is still being worked out.

Roof Deck and Underlayment Updates

The new form takes a closer look at your roof’s secondary water resistance — the layer under your shingles that helps keep water out if shingles are damaged.

It now specifically asks about:

Peel-and-stick underlayment (the premium option)
Double-layer felt or synthetic underlayment (now recognized since it became required by code around 2023)
Spray foam applied to the underside of the roof deck

It’s still unclear whether a double-layer underlayment will earn the same discount as a full peel-and-stick upgrade,

but the fact that it’s now listed is a positive sign for many homeowners.

How Could This Affect Your Insurance Costs?

Newer homes with complete permit records are most likely to benefit from the new form.
Older homes or those missing paperwork may see credits reduced or removed.
Existing reports are still valid for up to five years, but your insurer may request a new inspection sooner if you renew or change your policy after April 1.
Inspection costs may increase slightly due to the added documentation requirements.

Don’t Wait — Get Ahead of These Changes

At Cronin Insurance, we believe in protecting what matters most — your home, your family, your future.

If you’re unsure how the new wind mitigation form may affect your current policy or discounts, we’re here to help you navigate it.

Explore our homeowners insurance options to make sure you have the right coverage at the right price.

Ready to review your policy?

Low rates, choice of companies, and personal advice from local agents.

When it comes to Home Insurance:

Since 1993, Cronin Insurance is the Wise Choice.

Comments are closed.