Florida’s New Wind Mitigation Reporting Requirements: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know in 2026

by CFBIBlog | Feb 19, 2026 | Specialty Inspections

Big changes are coming to Florida wind mitigation inspections. These changes could directly affect your insurance premiums. Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or a long-time resident, this update matters to you. Maybe you recently purchased a property. Maybe it’s been a few years since your last inspection. Either way, now is the time to pay attention. Understanding what’s changing - and acting on it - could put real money back in your pocket.

What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection — and Why Does It Matter?

A wind mitigation inspection is a specialized assessment of your home’s construction features to determine how well it can withstand hurricane-force winds. In a state like Florida — where hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 and windstorm insurance is one of the biggest drivers of homeowner insurance costs — this inspection is one of the most financially powerful tools available to property owners.

Under Florida Statute §627.0629, insurance companies are legally required to offer premium discounts and deductible reductions to homeowners whose properties include verified wind-resistant construction features. Those discounts can reach up to 88% off the windstorm portion of your policy — savings that, for many Central Florida homeowners, translate to hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year.

The official document used to capture and report these features is the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, OIR-B1-1802, administered by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR).

Major Update: The New OIR-B1-1802 Form Takes Effect April 1, 2026

Here’s the most important news for Florida homeowners right now: the OIR has proposed a significant update to the 1802 form, with the new version set to take effect April 1, 2026.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has proposed an amendment to Rule 69O-170.0115 to adopt a new version of form OIR-B1-1802. The new form updates the fixtures and construction techniques that qualify for discounts, taking into account a 2024 Residential Wind-Loss Mitigation Study — which updates research conducted years ago when the mitigation discount program was still in its infancy.

What does this mean for you? The updated discount tables and qualifying criteria reflect more current building science and real-world hurricane performance data. Some features may qualify for higher discounts; others may be evaluated differently. The full impact on individual premiums is still being determined, but one thing is clear: homeowners who get ahead of this change will be best positioned to maximize their savings.

Florida Statute §627.0629 requires the OIR to review and update the fixtures or construction techniques demonstrated to reduce windstorm damage — along with the related insurance discounts and deductible reductions — by January 1, 2025, and every five years after that. The April 2026 form rollout is a direct result of that mandated review.

The 7 Key Categories Evaluated on Form OIR-B1-1802

A licensed inspector completing the 1802 form evaluates your home across seven critical areas. Understanding these categories helps you know what to expect — and what upgrades might boost your discount tier:

1. Building Code Compliance — Was your home built to Florida Building Code 2001 or later? Homes constructed in 2002 or after generally receive automatic baseline credits. Homes in Miami-Dade and Broward counties are evaluated against the South Florida Building Code (SFBC-94) for High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) compliance.

2. Roof Covering — The type and installation method of your roofing material. Products that meet Florida Product Approval standards score higher.

3. Roof Deck Attachment — How the plywood or OSB decking is fastened to the rafters or trusses. Homes with 8d ring-shank nails on 6-inch spacing perform significantly better in windstorm events.

4. Roof-to-Wall Connection — The weakest connection point between your roof and your walls is assessed. Single wraps, double wraps, clips, and structural anchors each correspond to different credit tiers.

5. Roof Shape — Hip roofs (sloped on all four sides) are the most wind-resistant design and typically earn the largest discounts. Gable roofs receive lower credits due to their increased vulnerability to wind uplift.

6. Secondary Water Resistance (SWR) — A self-adhering membrane applied beneath the roof covering that prevents water intrusion if shingles are blown off. This feature is increasingly important to insurers after recent hurricane seasons.

7. Opening Protection — Impact-rated windows, doors, skylights, and garage doors — or properly documented storm shutters — protect against windborne debris. This is the all-or-nothing category: if even one opening lacks protection, the entire structure may receive no discount.

How Long Is a Wind Mitigation Report Valid?

The Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802) is valid for up to five years, provided no material changes are made to the structure or inaccuracies are found on the form.

This five-year clock matters. If your report is approaching expiration — or if you’ve had roof work, new windows, or other structural upgrades — it’s time to schedule a fresh inspection. With the new form taking effect April 1, 2026, renewing your inspection now (under the current form) or after the transition (under the updated form) will be an important strategic decision to discuss with your inspector and insurance agent.

Who Qualifies to Perform a Wind Mitigation Inspection in Florida?

Not just anyone can complete a legally valid 1802 form. Under Florida Statute §627.711, qualified inspectors include:

Licensed home inspectors (under §468.8314) who have completed at least 3 hours of OIR-approved hurricane mitigation training and passed a proficiency exam
Licensed general, building, or residential contractors
Licensed professional engineers or architects
Certified building code inspectors

Citizens Property Insurance reserves the right to verify any wind mitigation form completed by a qualified inspector by ordering an independent inspection, and will not accept forms where the inspector’s Florida license is not active or cannot be verified. This is why choosing a reputable, licensed inspection company matters — an invalid or improperly completed form could cost you your discounts entirely.

Free Inspections and Matching Grants: My Safe Florida Home Program

If you haven’t upgraded your home’s wind-resistant features because of cost concerns, there’s good news. In 2025, Florida expanded the My Safe Florida Home program with $280 million in new funding to help families afford wind mitigation upgrades, offering free inspections and matching grants for improvements like impact windows, doors, and roof upgrades.

This program provides a two-step pathway: first, receive a free wind mitigation inspection, then apply for a matching grant to fund qualifying home hardening improvements. Visit MySafeFLHome.com to check eligibility and availability.

Don’t Wait — Schedule Your Inspection Before the April 2026 Form Change

With the updated OIR-B1-1802 form set to take effect April 1, 2026, Central Florida homeowners have a narrow window to act strategically. Whether your goal is to lock in current discount tiers, document recent upgrades, or simply get ahead of the changes before hurricane season, a wind mitigation inspection is one of the highest-ROI steps you can take as a homeowner.

At Central Florida Building Inspectors (CFBI), our licensed inspectors are certified in wind mitigation assessments and stay current on all OIR form requirements and Florida Building Code updates. We serve homeowners throughout the greater Central Florida area with thorough, photo-documented 1802 inspections that insurers trust.

Ready to find out how much you could save? Schedule your wind mitigation inspection with CFBI today and take control of your homeowner’s insurance costs before the new form changes everything.

For official OIR resources and the current version of Form OIR-B1-1802, visit floir.gov/consumers/wind-mitigation-resources. For information on the My Safe Florida Home grant program, visit MySafeFLHome.com.ind-mitigation-resources. For information on the My Safe Florida Home grant program, visit MySafeFLHome.com.

Stay in the Blue and out of the Red: Avoid a Money Pit by hiring a Home Inspection

by cfbi1 | Dec 9, 2013 | Home Inspection

When you are looking to make a home purchase, the process can take quite some time. In most cases, viewing many properties and then eliminating until you have a shortlist of the best opportunities for you & the family is a great way of avoiding stress. With so many important decisions that need attention when making such a critical choice, one of the most beneficial choices is to consider a home inspection.

As mentioned above, many different factors demand your attention. The reason that you pay close attention to a home inspection is that it can help you avoid the “money pit” some homes will inevitably be. The results of a professional home inspection in the end helps determine whether you are making a wise investment. Knowing that the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems are up to date and working properly can make a big difference in buying.

Ideally, the prospective property ought to have a thorough in-depth inspection, but in some cases this service is overlooked. By electing not to have an inspection, you might be asking for financial difficulty and years of unsettled family life due to constant home repairs.

A trained home inspector is worth their weight in gold. Years of experience inspecting thousands of different homes in the Central Florida area in ensuring you the most accurate inspection report, plus digital pictures of all items needing fixed are provided.

Make sure that hiring a home inspection is high on your list of priorities. Keep in mind, paying out a few hundred dollars on an inspection at the right time could mean saving thousands of dollars and time several years down the road.

Don’t disregard a home inspection thinking it as irrelevant. It’s possible it will keep you in the blue and out of the red in your property investment.

Do not Underestimate the Importance of a Quality Home Inspection

by cfbi1 | Dec 3, 2013 | Home Inspection

man lifting roof on house to inspect it

There are many decisions to be made by both interested parties (buyer/seller) when it comes to a home listing. One of the most important and beneficial decisions for each to make, which is to decide if he or she should hire an inspection service.

Here are the main reasons both buyers and sellers should consider a home inspection service:

In some cases, the buyer will not have to cover the cost of a home inspection. The buyer can ask the seller to cover the costs and in most situations, if it “seals the deal,” the seller is happy to cover the home inspection costs and services.
Home inspectors check beyond the exterior and don’t mind accessing crawl spaces to evaluate what lies beneath. This is very helpful in getting a proper and accurate report of the property condition.
Many professional companies offer specialist services including radon, mold, well-water testing, and termite inspections. Termites have a real possibility of destroying a structure and in the process a homeowner’s finances. So make sure to have a termite inspection.
A completed home inspection report will give the buyer/seller a realistic and accurate evaluation of the life expectancy of all appliances connected to the home. (e.g. HVAC system, electrical wiring, plumbing systems, etc.).
Structural damage is very costly to repair if the damage has progressed and deteriorated through years of neglect. A home inspector gives an precise accounting of the home structure, including roof and foundation.

A home inspector can be picky, and rightfully so, it’s their livelihood to find issues other people would overlook and disregard. Overall, a home inspection is for the benefit of the buyer or seller who need the information to go ahead with the sale or renegotiate the original asking price. Whether buying or selling make hiring a home inspection service the number one concern.

Well Water Quality Testing

by cfbi1 | Jul 19, 2013 | Home Inspection

Whether you are purchasing a home with a well system or currently living in a home with a well, a water test is highly recommended to determine the drinkability and quality of your water. CFBI has performed hundreds of well water tests many times for FHA or VA financing requirements. FHA water tests have their own set of parameters for testing the well water. The 3 main areas covered in this water analysis are:

Chemicals - Nitrates & Nitrites
Bacteria - E. Coli & Total Coliform
Lead

We also have the option of testing for any number of well water contaminants such as; pesticides, arsenic, radon gas, and many other metals and compounds you have be concerned about. Florida well water many times has a strong sulfur smell that can make drinking unpleasant. Central Florida Building Inspectors can perform a certified well water test for your Orlando Florida well system to determine its safety. Many times the results will be available within 5 days but can depend on the type of well water sampling requested.

The EPA suggests an annual test of your well water to, at the minimum, evaluate the bacteria & nitrate levels in your drinking water. We can provide routine testing for your home on an annual basis. Don’t let your family’s health be in jeopardy.

Polybutylene Plumbing Systems

by cfbi1 | Jul 8, 2013 | Home Inspection

Polybutylene is a potable water supply piping that was used in many houses built throughout the 1980’s and into the early 90’s. This particular plumbing system has had a checkered history and has a much higher propensity to leak and cause water damage to your house than other plumbing systems available. It is usually a grey plastic with blue/red markings and can be seen throughout the house at the various ‘wet areas’ e.g. bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms.

Over time, chemicals used to treat the potable water react with the plumbing material and fittings, eventually leading to leaks and sometimes complete failure of the plumbing system. This can spell disaster for some homeowners who get caught off-guard. In extreme cases, repairs may cost tens of thousands of dollars and may render the structure unsafe to inhabit. Mold growth and moisture damage will occur if this issue goes unnoticed or is hidden inside the walls.

Leaking Polybutylene

Throughout the 80’s and early 90’s, many houses were being build throughout the Central Florida area. Polybutylene is not as uncommon as you may think it is. Hiring experienced Orlando Home Inspectors to determine whether or not this type of plumbing is present in a house you or a client of yours is interested in buying is of the utmost importance. We at Central Florida Building Inspectors, Inc. have seen hundreds of houses with Polybutylene plumbing systems and can let you know if you have this type of piping. CFBI can also perform a full home and mold inspection to determine if any problems may be present as a result of this plumbing.