Save on homeowners insurance with wind mitigation discounts


In order for your home to qualify for a hurricane/wind premium discount, a wind mitigation inspection is required for homes built prior to 2002. Homes built in 2002 or after were required to meet roofing regulations by building code, and therefore automatically receive wind mitigation credits. Most wind mitigation credits in North Central Florida are a result of the roof shape, nail pattern of secured shingles, hurricane clips/straps that secure the roof to the structure walls, and water resistant barriers to prevent water damage in a storm.  There are also credits for wind resistant glass and hurricane shutters; however, these are more common in the coastal regions of Florida. If your home was built between 1990 and 2002, your home is likely to have some features that qualify for wind mitigation credits; however, you must have a wind mitigation inspection in order to verify what features your home has to determine the discount your home is eligible for.

Not all homes have wind mitigation features if they were built prior to 2002. Wind mitigation inspections typically cost between $85 and $150.  If your home was built prior to 1990, it is likely (but not guaranteed) that there will be minimal to no wind mitigation features, unless the roof has been replaced, including the trusses.

Wind resistive construction features that are considered when your property is being inspected for wind mitigation credits include:

  •  Secure roof shingles and roof coverings that meet the Florida Building Code requirements
  • Roof decking secured with larger nails or screws closer together
  • Hurricane clips/straps that secure the roof to the supporting walls
  • Window protection (i.e. shutters, impact resistant glazing, etc.)
  • Additional water resistant barriers to prevent leakage in the event that the top layer of roofing is damaged.
  • Roof geometry or shape of roof

What Florida business owners need to know about deductibles during storm season


 

Just as Florida homeowners insurance policies have both a wind and hurricane deductible, business insurance policies also include separate wind and hurricane deductibles. Additionally, some business insurance carriers also offer “named storm” deductibles for certain policies.

With the effects of Tropical Storm Debby being felt throughout Gainesville and the surrounding areas, it is important to review your business policy before another storm of greater magnitude threatens your place of business.

Wind/hail deductibles are typically written as a percentage of the total insured value or building/contents value of your property. The wind deductible is separate from the “all other perils” deductible on most Florida business insurance policies. The “wind/hail” deductible would apply to damages caused by all windstorms, hail, tornados, and named storms, unless your policy specifies a separate deductible like those shown below.

Hurricane deductibles go into effect when the National Hurricane Center declares a hurricane watch or warning for any part of the state. This deductible will continue to remain in effect while the hurricane exists anywhere within the state and will end 72 hours after the termination of the last hurricane watch or warning.  With hurricane deductibles, the damage must be from a named hurricane.  Any other wind damage would fall back to the “all other perils” deductible.

Named storm deductibles are unique to business insurance and are an optional deductible available through some insurance companies. It works similar to a hurricane deductible but in order to be applied, there must a named storm by the National Hurricane Center.  It could be a Tropical Depression, Storm or Hurricane.   Some carriers offer this deductible as a percentage with a minimum flat dollar amount.  With any other wind, the standard all other perils deductible or another flat deductible would apply.

Contact your insurance provider if you have questions about what your business insurance policy covers and how your deductibles apply.