SIG/Barton Insurance
447 Cape Coral Pkwy E
Cape Coral, FL 33904
239-542-5300
Wind Mitigations
When do you need a Wind Mitigation report?
This is typically beneficial for homes built from 1986 – 2001. If the home is older than 1986 but the roof was replaced in 2002 or later, a wind mitigation is still helpful. Homes built after 2002 automatically qualify for the maximum credits with the majority of insurance carriers.
What are insurance underwriters looking for on a wind mitigation inspection form?
- Florida Building Code (FBC) equivalent roof – Has the roof been replaced since 2002?
- Roof deck attachment – The spacing of the nails can provide an additional credit. Generally, a roof replaced after 2010 will qualify for the best credit
- Roof-to-wall attachment – Hurricane clips, with at least 3 nails each, can result in substantial savings
- Geometric shape of the roof – Hip vs Gable. A home with a Hip roof qualifies for a lower insurance premium. Flat roofs face eligibility issues with most carriers.
- Opening protection – Most homes do not qualify for the full credit. This is not a major concern though as the savings are normally minimal.
4-point Inspections
When do you need a 4-point Inspection?
It varies by company. Typically if the home is 30 years or older, a 4-point is required. There are several carriers that will do their own 4-point but insurance agents prefer that the customer have one done in advance to avoid a cancellation due to placing an ineligible risk with the company.
What are the insurance underwriters looking for on a 4-point inspection form?
- Roof is no more than 15 years old and has at least 3-5 years remaining life left (varies by company.)
- Plumbing is fully functional, no leaks or flaws detected and no polybutylene piping is present.
- Electrical wiring is typically fine as long as it is not aluminum and there is no DIY work present. Must be 200amps or better. Certain brands of electrical panels are unacceptable with some companies.
- HVAC- Date of installation, life of unit and functioning properly
What construction factors commonly affect homeowner’s insurance premiums?
- Age of construction – Homes built in 2002 or later qualify for the best insurance prices
- A home of wood frame construction of 33% or more (exterior walls) is generally more expensive to insure than a home that is constructed of concrete block.
- Homes in mandatory flood zones (A and V in Lee County) typically have much higher insurance premiums than a home in a Preferred Risk Zone (B, C and X.)
- Homes built after 1994 meet elevation codes and normally have lower insurance premiums than older properties.
- Geometric shape of the roof – Hip vs Gable. A home with a Hip roof qualifies for a lower insurance premium.