Understanding Wind Mitigation Inspections
A wind mitigation inspection is a specialized assessment that evaluates how well a property can withstand high winds, especially during hurricanes. In Florida, this inspection is crucial for determining eligibility for insurance discounts, as it helps carriers assess the risk associated with a property.
The inspection focuses on several key components:
Roof Covering
Roof Deck Attachment
Roof-to-Wall Attachment
Roof Geometry
Opening Protection
Secondary Water Resistance
These elements help insurers evaluate the home's overall resistance to wind damage. Wind mitigation inspections are typically required by insurers to qualify for discounts, and the validity of the inspection lasts for up to 5 years.
Inspection Validity
A wind mitigation inspection is only valid for five years. Just like you wouldn't eat expired food, it's crucial to ensure that your wind mitigation inspection is up-to-date. Insurance carriers will not accept inspections that are older than five years, so homeowners need to stay on top of renewing them. Keeping an inspection within the five-year window allows homeowners to continue receiving valuable insurance discounts.
Key Points to Remember:
The inspection must be renewed every 5 years.
Ensure the date of inspection and property address are accurate to avoid issues with the validity of the inspection.
Roof Covering Classification
The roof covering classification is an important factor in determining eligibility for wind mitigation credits. It indicates whether the roof meets the Florida Building Code (FBC) or Miami-Dade County (MDC) standards, which are crucial for receiving credits.
Roof Covering A:
This applies to roofs constructed after 2002 or those that comply with the Florida Building Code or have Miami-Dade product approval ratings. These roofs typically receive the FBC credit.
Roof Covering B:
For roofs built before 2002 that meet the Florida Building Code equivalent standards. These roofs may still be eligible for the applicable credit if they meet certain requirements.
During inspections, a variety of roof types—such as Asphalt, Metal, or Membrane—may be evaluated.
Roof Deck Attachment
The roof deck attachment plays a significant role in wind mitigation, determining how well the roof is secured to the framing. The stronger the attachment, the better the chance for insurance credits.
Roof Deck Attachment Classifications:
A: Weakest attachment, provides no credits toward the policy.
B: Better than A, may provide limited credits.
C: Best credit available for roof deck attachment.
D: Best option, requires a reinforced concrete roof deck to qualify.
E: Rarely used and unlikely to provide any credits.
F: Unknown attachment, credit implications uncertain.
G: No attic access, does not provide any credits.
The attachment classification depends on factors such as the distance between nails and the number of nails used within the roof deck. A stronger attachment can result in more substantial wind mitigation credits.
Roof-to-Wall Attachment
The roof-to-wall attachment assesses how the roof is connected to the walls of the home. A stronger connection increases the home’s resistance to wind damage and may qualify for insurance credits.
Roof-to-Wall Attachment Classifications:
A: Toenails, offers no credits.
B: Clips or hurricane clips, provides moderate credits.
C: Single wraps, offers higher credits.
D: Double wraps, provides the best credit option.
E: Structural, indicates concrete connections and offers the best structural protection.
F: Other, likely does not receive any credit.
G: Unknown attachment, does not receive any credit.
Stronger roof-to-wall attachments, such as single and double wraps, offer better protection and result in higher insurance credits.
Roof Geometry
The shape of the roof, or its geometry, plays a significant role in wind resistance and eligibility for insurance credits. Different roof shapes offer varying levels of protection against strong winds.
Roof Geometry Classifications:
Hip Roof: The most wind-resistant design. Receives significant credit.
Flat Roof: Does not receive any credits due to its poor wind resistance.
Other Roof: Includes gable and other non-hip designs. These roofs do not receive credits.
A hip roof provides the best wind mitigation benefits, while flat and other roof types offer less protection and are not eligible for credits.
Secondary Water Resistance
Secondary water resistance (SWR) provides an additional protective layer between the roof covering and the roof deck, reducing the risk of water intrusion in case the roof is damaged. Although this feature is not visible during most inspections, its presence can still be verified through permit descriptions or contractor reports.
Credit for SWR:
Homes with secondary water resistance are eligible for credits as this extra layer helps protect the home from water damage during severe storms.
Most inspectors may not be able to physically verify SWR, but if documented in the roof’s permit, it can still qualify for insurance credits.
Opening Protection
Opening protection refers to the fortification of doors, windows, and other openings in the home against high winds and flying debris. The level of protection significantly impacts wind mitigation credits.
Opening Protection Levels:
A: Best level of protection. Be mindful of the subcategories:
A1: All openings (doors, windows) are hurricane-protected.
A2: Some doors lack hurricane protection.
A3: One or more openings lack hurricane protection.
B, C, N, or X: These categories typically do not receive any credits.
Conclusion
With a solid understanding of wind mitigation inspections, you can help homeowners maximize their insurance savings while ensuring their homes are well-protected against high winds and storms. From roof classifications to opening protection, each aspect of the inspection plays a vital role in determining eligibility for valuable insurance credits. By staying informed, you’re not just an insurance expert but a wind mitigation maestro, helping homeowners unlock essential discounts.