Florida homeowners insurance can be one of the largest expenses of owning a home, but many homeowners do not realize that certain roofing features can lower their premium.
Two of the features insurance companies look for most closely are secondary water resistance and hurricane straps, both of which are documented through a wind mitigation inspection.
A wind mitigation inspection is a review of specific features on a home that are known to reduce damage during high wind events, and the results are recorded on a standard form that Florida insurance companies are required to accept.
The inspection looks at things like the roof shape, the age of the roof covering, the roof deck attachment, the roof to wall connections, and whether secondary water resistance is present.
Secondary water resistance, often shortened to SWR, is an additional layer of protection installed beneath the roof covering that is designed to keep water out of the home even if the primary roofing material is damaged or lifted during a storm.
Because this layer adds a meaningful level of protection against wind driven rain, many insurance companies offer a discount when it is present and documented.
Hurricane straps, clips, and other roof to wall connectors are what physically hold the roof structure to the walls of the home during high winds, and the type of connection used has a direct impact on how well the roof performs in a storm.
Homes with engineered straps or clips typically qualify for a larger discount than homes that rely on nails alone, since the stronger connection reduces the risk of the roof separating from the structure.
The exact savings depend on the insurance carrier and the combination of features present on the home, but homeowners who have secondary water resistance and strong roof to wall connections documented can often see a meaningful reduction in the wind portion of their premium.
Combining several qualifying features on the same inspection tends to produce the largest overall discount.
A wind mitigation inspection should be performed by a qualified professional who understands what insurance companies require to be documented, since an incomplete or inaccurate inspection can mean missing out on discounts a home already qualifies for.
If your roof was recently replaced or reinforced with these features, it is worth having a current inspection on file so your insurance company has the documentation it needs.
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