How to Read a Florida Wind Mitigation Report: What Does It Tell Your Insurance Company?

f your insurance company has requested a Wind Mitigation inspection, you may receive a completed report filled with terms like roof deck attachment, roof-to-wall connection, secondary water resistance and opening protection.

But what does all of that actually mean?

For homeowners in Pensacola and throughout Northwest Florida, Wind Mitigation inspections are a common part of documenting a home's wind-resistant features for insurance.

A Florida Wind Mitigation inspection documents construction features that may help a home withstand damage from high winds. Your inspector records those features on Florida's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, and your insurance company uses the information to determine which wind mitigation credits may apply to your home.

As of April 1, 2026, Florida Wind Mitigation inspections use the updated OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) form.

While the report can look technical, understanding the basic sections can make it much easier to see exactly what your inspector is documenting.

1. Building Code, Region and Roof Information

The first portions of your Wind Mitigation report establish basic information about the home and its construction.

One of the things the report considers is whether the structure was built in compliance with an applicable Florida Building Code. Depending on the home, documentation such as permits may be used to verify certain information.

The updated 2026 form also includes information about the home's region, which is based on design wind speed, and roof slope. If a single-family home has multiple roof slopes, those may need to be documented as well.

Your report also addresses the roof covering.

This isn't simply a question of whether you have shingles, tile or metal. The inspector is documenting information required by the form regarding the roof covering and its compliance with applicable requirements.

If you've replaced your roof, documentation can be particularly helpful. Roofing permits, invoices and other records may help verify information that can't be determined simply by looking at the finished roof.

This is one reason it's a good idea to keep paperwork from major home improvements rather than tossing it once the project is complete.

2. Roof Deck Attachment

The roof deck is the material underneath your roof covering that is attached to the roof's structural framing.

During a Wind Mitigation inspection, the inspector needs to determine how that roof deck is attached.

Why does that matter?

During high winds, significant uplift forces can act on the roof. The way the roof decking is fastened to the structure affects how resistant that assembly may be to those forces.

Your report categorizes the roof deck attachment based on factors such as the type and spacing of fasteners and the construction of the roof deck.

This is one of the reasons attic access is important during a Wind Mitigation inspection. The inspector may need to access the attic to see and document construction features that aren't visible from inside the living area or from the exterior of the home.

If the inspector cannot access the attic, certain mitigation features may not be able to be verified.

3. Roof-to-Wall Attachment

The next section looks at how the roof structure is connected to the walls of the home.

You've probably heard terms such as:

Toenails
Clips
Straps or wraps

These describe different ways the roof framing can be connected to the wall structure.

Your inspector evaluates the visible connections and documents the appropriate category on the Wind Mitigation report.

This section can sometimes surprise homeowners because simply seeing metal near a truss doesn't automatically tell you how the connection will be classified. The number and placement of fasteners, how the connector is installed and other details can matter.

The inspector therefore needs to document what is actually present rather than assuming that a home has a particular type of connection because of its age or appearance.

4. Roof Geometry and Secondary Water Resistance

Your Wind Mitigation report also documents characteristics of the roof itself.

Roof Geometry

Roof geometry refers to the shape and configuration of the roof.

For example, the report distinguishes qualifying hip roofs from other roof configurations. The inspector documents the home's actual roof geometry according to the definitions on the form.

This isn't something you need to change or prepare for before the inspection. It's simply an existing characteristic of the home's construction that the inspector records.

Secondary Water Resistance

Another section addresses Secondary Water Resistance, often abbreviated as SWR, or a qualifying sealed roof deck.

This is an additional layer of protection designed to help reduce water intrusion if the primary roof covering is damaged or lost during a storm.

Not every roofing underlayment automatically qualifies as secondary water resistance for purposes of the Wind Mitigation form.

Because this feature may be concealed underneath the finished roofing material, documentation from a roof replacement can be especially valuable when determining whether a qualifying system is present.

If you've recently replaced your roof, keep your permits, invoices and product documentation. They may contain information your inspector needs to accurately document features that are no longer visible.

5. Opening Protection

The Wind Mitigation report doesn't only look at your roof.

It also documents opening protection, which can include qualifying protection for:

• Windows

• Exterior doors

• Garage doors

• Skylights

• Other applicable glazed openings

This section considers whether the home's openings meet the applicable impact-protection requirements documented on the form.

One important thing for homeowners to understand is that having some impact-rated windows or shutters doesn't necessarily mean the entire home will receive the same opening-protection classification.

Your inspector has to evaluate and document the applicable openings according to the requirements of the form.

If you have removable hurricane shutters or panels stored at the property, make sure they're accessible during the inspection. Documentation showing the specifications for installed windows, doors, shutters or other products can also be useful.

The 2026 Wind Mitigation form additionally recognizes certain FORTIFIED Home™ certifications when applicable.

6. What Does Your Insurance Company Do With the Report?

This is probably the most important part to understand:

Your Wind Mitigation inspector does not determine your insurance discount.

The inspector's job is to accurately inspect, verify and document the qualifying features of your home.

Your insurance company reviews the completed report and supporting documentation and determines which wind mitigation credits apply to your policy.

That means Taylor isn't deciding how much money your Wind Mitigation inspection will save you — and homeowners shouldn't assume that every documented feature automatically produces a particular dollar amount in savings.

Your premium can depend on many factors beyond the Wind Mitigation report.

What the report does is give your insurance carrier standardized documentation of the wind-resistant features present in your home so the carrier can determine the credits for which you qualify.

The current Wind Mitigation form is generally valid for up to five years, provided no material changes have been made to the structure and no inaccuracies are found on the form.

If you make a significant improvement during that time — such as replacing your roof or installing qualifying opening protection — it may be worth asking your insurance agent whether an updated Wind Mitigation inspection could document features that aren't reflected on your existing report.

What Should You Have Ready for a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

You don't need to understand every box on the form before your inspector arrives, but a little preparation can help.

Make sure your inspector can access the attic, and gather any documentation you have for major improvements related to the home's wind-mitigation features.

Useful records may include:

• Roofing permits

• Roof replacement invoices

• Product specifications

• Window or door documentation

• Hurricane shutter or panel information

• Documentation from contractors or installers

Don't worry if you don't have every piece of paperwork. Your inspector can evaluate the home and let you know what can be documented based on the inspection and available records.

Need a Wind Mitigation Inspection in Pensacola?

If your insurance company has requested a Wind Mitigation report, Taylor-Made Home Inspections provides insurance-focused Wind Mitigation inspections throughout Pensacola and surrounding Northwest Florida communities.

We document your home's qualifying wind-mitigation features and provide your completed report the same day.

Learn More About Wind Mitigation Inspections →

Need a 4-Point inspection as well? We can complete your 4-Point and Wind Mitigation inspections during the same appointment.