The $100 Inspection That Could Save You $1,000 on Tampa Home Insurance
If you live in Tampa Bay, you know the drill: insurance premiums only seem to go up. But what if I told you there is a hidden "coupon" for your home insurance that could knock hundreds, sometimes thousands off your annual bill?
It’s called a Wind Mitigation Inspection.
Many homeowners in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties have either never heard of it, or worse, they have one sitting in a drawer that expired without them knowing.
Here is how this simple inspection works and why it is the single easiest way to lower your insurance costs in Florida.
What is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
Unlike a "4-Point Inspection" (which looks for problems), a Wind Mitigation inspection is purely about finding strengths.
A licensed inspector comes to your home (usually for about 30 minutes) to verify how well your home can withstand a hurricane. They aren't looking for leaks or peeling paint. They are looking for specific construction features that make your home a "good risk" for insurance carriers.
They check for things like:
Roof-to-Wall Attachment: Are your trusses held down by simple toenails (average) or hurricane clips/straps (good)?
Roof Geometry: Is your roof a "Hip" shape (sloped on all sides)? That shape is much more aerodynamic and qualifies for a massive discount compared to a "Gable" (A-frame) roof.
SWR (Secondary Water Resistance): Do you have that extra waterproof layer under your shingles?
The Math: Spend $125 to Save $1,000+
Here is the best part: Florida law requires insurance companies to give you discounts for these features. They don't have a choice.
If your home was built after 2002, you likely already have many of these features because of building codes. If your home is older but you put a new roof on recently, you definitely should be getting these credits.
I recently helped a client in Carrollwood who was paying $4,200 a year. We realized her Wind Mitigation form was expired. She paid $125 for a new inspection, verified her roof clips, and her premium dropped to $2,800.
That is a $1,400 savings for a $125 investment.
"Do I Already Have This?"
This is where people lose money. A Wind Mitigation inspection is valid for 5 years.
If you bought your home 6 years ago and haven't updated it, your carrier might have quietly removed those discounts from your renewal. You might be paying "full price" without realizing your discount expired.
How to Check Your Status
You don’t need to climb into your attic. You just need to check your policy papers.
Look at your Declarations Page.
Look for a line item that says "Windstorm Mitigation Credit" or "Wind Mit Discount."
If that number is $0 (or missing entirely), we need to talk immediately.
Let Me Review It for Free
You don't need to hire an inspector yet. Send me your current policy declaration page first. I can look at it in 5 minutes and tell you:
If you are currently getting any wind discounts.
If your discounts have expired.
If ordering a new inspection is worth the cost.
Don't pay the "lazy tax" to the insurance company. Let’s make sure you are getting credit for the roof over your head.