Quick answer: A 4-point inspection reviews the roof, electrical system, plumbing and HVAC, and Florida insurers commonly require one before insuring an older home to judge whether those systems are in acceptable condition. A wind mitigation inspection documents features that help a home resist hurricane winds, such as roof shape, roof deck and roof-to-wall attachments and opening protection, on the state’s Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802). Florida law requires insurers to offer discounts or credits for qualifying wind mitigation features, and the form is generally valid for up to five years if nothing material changes.
Florida homeowners often hear about these two inspections when buying a home, switching insurers or receiving a renewal notice. They serve different purposes: one is about whether an insurer will write the policy at all, and the other can lower the premium.
This article explains both, along with Florida rules on roof age and the state’s My Safe Florida Home program. For the overall structure of homeowners coverage, see our homeowners insurance guide.
Sources: Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form OIR-B1-1802; section 627.0629, Florida Statutes, on windstorm mitigation discounts; Florida’s 2022 property insurance reforms on roof age; Citizens Property Insurance Corporation underwriting guidance and 4-point inspection form; Florida Department of Financial Services My Safe Florida Home program; Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). Requirements change and vary by insurer. This is general information, not insurance advice. Confirm current rules with your insurer or agent.
The 4-Point Inspection
A 4-point inspection is a limited inspection focused on four systems that drive many property claims:
- Roof: covering type, age, remaining useful life and visible damage or leaks.
- Electrical: panel type and capacity, wiring type and any hazards such as certain older panel brands, aluminum branch wiring or knob-and-tube wiring.
- Plumbing: supply and drain pipe materials, water heater age and condition and any leaks. Insurers watch for materials such as polybutylene supply lines.
- HVAC: system age, condition and whether it is working properly.
Unlike a full home inspection, the 4-point does not evaluate the whole house. It answers a narrow question for the insurer: are the main systems in acceptable condition, and how old are they?
When Insurers Ask for One
There is no single state law requiring a 4-point inspection for every older home. It is an underwriting requirement set by insurers. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state’s insurer of last resort, requires 4-point inspections for older homes under its underwriting rules, and many private insurers ask for one on homes roughly 25 to 30 years old or older. Some insurers also ask for one after major renovations or when other information raises concerns.
What Happens With the Results
If the inspection shows systems in good condition, the insurer may write or renew the policy normally. If it finds problems, the insurer may:
- Require repairs or replacement before binding coverage.
- Offer coverage with restrictions, such as actual cash value on the roof.
- Decline to write the policy.
Common issues that cause trouble include an aging roof with little remaining life, outdated electrical panels, active leaks and very old water heaters. Fixing these items, and keeping receipts and permits, usually resolves the concern. Our article on what raises your homeowners premium explains how system age and condition affect pricing more broadly.
The Wind Mitigation Inspection
A wind mitigation inspection records construction features that reduce damage from hurricane winds. Inspectors use the OIR’s Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, OIR-B1-1802, so results are reported the same way to every insurer.
The form covers seven main categories:
| Category | What the inspector documents |
|---|---|
| Building code | Whether the home was built under the Florida Building Code, generally permits applied for on or after March 1, 2002, or meets equivalent standards |
| Roof covering | Type of roof covering and whether it meets code requirements for the permit date |
| Roof deck attachment | How roof sheathing is fastened, such as nail size and spacing |
| Roof-to-wall attachment | Connection type, such as toe nails, clips, single wraps or double wraps |
| Roof geometry | Whether the roof is hip, flat or another shape |
| Secondary water resistance | Whether there is a barrier that limits water entry if roof covering is lost |
| Opening protection | Shutters or impact-rated windows, doors and garage doors |
Hip roofs, stronger roof deck fastening, wraps or clips connecting the roof to the walls, secondary water resistance and full opening protection generally produce the largest credits.
Discounts Required by Florida Law
Section 627.0629 of the Florida Statutes requires insurers to provide discounts, credits or other rate differentials for fixtures and construction techniques that reduce windstorm loss. The amount varies by insurer and by how many features a home has, and the credits apply to the wind portion of the premium.
Because wind is a large share of many Florida premiums, documented mitigation features can make a noticeable difference. Discounts and credits appear on the policy declarations or rating worksheet, so ask your agent to show you which credits were applied.
How Long the Form Is Valid
The OIR-B1-1802 form is generally valid for up to five years, provided no material changes have been made to the structure and the inspection was performed by a qualified inspector. A new roof, new windows or added shutters are good reasons to get a fresh inspection even before five years pass, since they may add credits.
Who Can Perform These Inspections
The wind mitigation form lists qualified inspectors, including home inspectors licensed in Florida who have completed hurricane mitigation training, building code inspectors, general, building and residential contractors, professional engineers and architects, along with inspectors certified under the My Safe Florida Home program. Insurers may verify inspector credentials and may reinspect a sample of homes.
4-point inspections are typically performed by licensed home inspectors, contractors or other professionals accepted by the insurer, using the insurer’s or Citizens’ form. Many inspectors offer both inspections in one visit.
Florida Roof Age Rules
Roof age is one of the most important underwriting factors in Florida. As part of property insurance reforms enacted in 2022, Florida law limits when insurers can refuse coverage based on roof age:
- An insurer may not refuse to write or renew a homeowners policy solely because of roof age if the roof is less than 15 years old.
- For roofs 15 years or older, an insurer may require an inspection and may not refuse to write or renew solely because of roof age if the inspection shows the roof has at least five years of remaining useful life.
Insurers can still consider roof condition, and they can offer coverage that pays actual cash value on older roofs where permitted. Our guide to roof damage coverage explains replacement cost and actual cash value roof settlements.
The My Safe Florida Home Program
My Safe Florida Home is a state program administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services. It has offered free wind mitigation inspections to eligible homeowners and matching grants to help pay for improvements such as roof-to-wall connections, opening protection and roof replacement that strengthens a home against hurricanes.
Eligibility rules and funding change between legislative sessions, and grant funds have opened and closed in rounds. Check the program’s official website for current availability before planning a project around it. A program inspection report can also be used to document mitigation features for insurance purposes.
How These Inspections Fit With Hurricane Deductibles
Florida policies include a separate hurricane deductible, often a percentage of the dwelling limit. Mitigation features reduce the chance and severity of wind damage, and the credits they earn can help offset the cost of coverage. Our explainer on hurricane and wind-hail deductibles explains how those deductibles work and the choices Florida homeowners usually have.
If Your Insurer Nonrenews or Declines
A poor 4-point result or an old roof can lead to a nonrenewal or declined application. If that happens:
- Ask the insurer exactly which items caused the decision.
- Get repair estimates and consider whether fixing those items would make the home insurable at better terms.
- Shop with an independent agent who works with several Florida insurers.
- Consider Citizens if private coverage is not available or not affordable under the state’s eligibility rules.
Our guide on what to do after a homeowners nonrenewal walks through the steps.
4-Point, Wind Mitigation and Full Home Inspections Compared
Buyers sometimes order all three inspections, and each has a different job.
| Inspection | Main purpose | Who usually asks for it | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-point | Insurability of older homes | Insurers, including Citizens | Roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC |
| Wind mitigation | Premium credits for wind-resistant features | Homeowners seeking discounts | Roof shape, attachments, secondary water resistance, opening protection |
| Full home inspection | Overall condition before purchase | Buyers | Whole house, from structure to appliances |
A full home inspection does not replace the insurance forms, because insurers want their specific information reported in a standard format.
Upgrades That Improve Both Inspections
Some improvements help with insurability and discounts at the same time:
- Roof replacement. A new roof removes age concerns on the 4-point, and if it is installed with upgraded deck nailing and secondary water resistance under current code, it can add wind mitigation credits.
- Opening protection. Impact-rated windows, doors and garage doors or approved shutters can earn credits for opening protection.
- Roof-to-wall connections. Adding straps or clips during a reroof may improve the roof-to-wall rating.
- Electrical panel replacement. Replacing a panel insurers consider problematic can clear a 4-point concern.
- Repiping. Replacing polybutylene or other problem pipe can clear plumbing concerns.
Keep permits and product approval documents for every upgrade, since inspectors and insurers often ask for them.
Preparing for Your Inspections
A little preparation saves time and money:
- Gather documents: roof permit and installation date, receipts for HVAC, water heater and electrical work and product approval information for shutters and impact windows.
- Provide attic access so the inspector can see roof deck nailing and roof-to-wall connections.
- Make the electrical panel accessible with the cover removable.
- Locate the water heater and HVAC labels showing manufacture dates.
- Ask for photos to be included in the report, since insurers often require them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a wind mitigation inspection save in Florida?
It varies by insurer and by the features your home has. Florida law requires insurers to offer credits for qualifying windstorm mitigation features, which apply to the wind portion of the premium.
How long is a Florida wind mitigation inspection good for?
The OIR-B1-1802 form is generally valid for up to five years, provided no material changes have been made to the home.
What fails a 4-point inspection in Florida?
Common problems include a roof near the end of its life, active leaks, certain outdated electrical panels or wiring, polybutylene plumbing and very old or nonworking HVAC systems or water heaters.
Does Citizens require a 4-point inspection?
Citizens requires 4-point inspections for older homes under its underwriting rules. Check its current guidelines for age thresholds and forms.
Is a new wind mitigation inspection needed after switching insurers?
Not necessarily. A valid OIR-B1-1802 form can usually be submitted to a new insurer, as long as it is within its validity period and the home has not changed materially.
Can I get a free wind mitigation inspection in Florida?
The My Safe Florida Home program has offered free inspections to eligible homeowners when funded. Check the program’s website for current availability.
Mobile and Manufactured Homes
Owners of manufactured homes in Florida face their own inspection and underwriting rules. Insurers often ask about the year of manufacture, tie-down systems and whether the home was built to HUD wind zone standards, and the OIR-B1-1802 form is designed for site-built homes. Ask your agent which documentation your insurer accepts for a manufactured home, and keep installation and tie-down records with your policy papers so they are easy to find at renewal or after a storm.
The Bottom Line
The 4-point inspection helps insurers decide whether to cover an older Florida home, while the wind mitigation inspection documents features that can lower your premium. Keep records of roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC updates, get a wind mitigation inspection after any major upgrade and check My Safe Florida Home for help strengthening your home.
