Contact us today to schedule your inspection

239-839-4742

239-839-4742

  • Home
  • Home Inspection
  • Home Watch Services
  • INSURANCE INSPECTIONS
  • Real Estate Inspections
  • More
    • Home
    • Home Inspection
    • Home Watch Services
    • INSURANCE INSPECTIONS
    • Real Estate Inspections
  • Home
  • Home Inspection
  • Home Watch Services
  • INSURANCE INSPECTIONS
  • Real Estate Inspections
Sunshine State's Best Home Inspection

Welcome to Sunshine State's Best Home Inspection & Home Watch Service

Welcome to Sunshine State's Best Home Inspection & Home Watch ServiceWelcome to Sunshine State's Best Home Inspection & Home Watch Service

Wind Mitigation Inspection

A Few Facts About Windstorms and Wind Insurance

 Wind mitigation is the implementation of certain building techniques in order to limit damage caused by intense wind.

  • In 2006, Citizens Insurance,  one of the largest property insurers In Florida, requested a 45% rate  increase for wind insurance. Other insurers took similar actions.
  • In Florida, the portion of a  homeowner's premium covering wind damage can be up to 70% of the total, depending on location.


 

Incentives for Wind Mitigation

 

  • Florida passed a law requiring insurance companies to offer their customers discounts and credits for existing building features and home improvements that reduce damage and loss from wind. In order to qualify for this discount, homes must undergo a certified home wind inspection. However, many Floridians do not know of this law.
  • Those with windstorm insurance  can avoid a costly deductible. Deductibles for homes in hurricane-prone areas can exceed $20,000, meaning that mild to moderate wind damage might not be covered by insurance at all. If proper wind mitigation techniques have been used, these expenses can be avoided altogether.
  • Wind mitigation helps protect the home from damage. Even if a home is insured, it is always costly when a house is damaged, both for the homeowner and the insurer. Repairs can take months, especially during material shortages that follow massive destruction to entire communities, as was the case after Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana.
  • Lenders in Florida require homeowners to carry windstorm insurance in order to be approved for a mortgage. Insurers may not provide windstorm insurance to homes that are vulnerable to wind damage.

Wind mitigation factors

BUILDING CODE

ROOF DECK ATTACHMENT

BUILDING CODE

Age of building construction. Post 9-1-94 in Broward & Dade and post 3-1-2002 in the rest of state qualifies for discount

ROOF COVERING

ROOF DECK ATTACHMENT

BUILDING CODE

 We will research and determine when the roof was installed and does if it meets building codes. In Florida, the code standard was updated in 1994 & 2002

ROOF DECK ATTACHMENT

ROOF DECK ATTACHMENT

ROOF TO WALL ATTACHMENT

  We will determine what type of roof decking is used and how it’s attached to the underlying structure, like if it’s nailed or stapled down. If nails are used, nail length and spacing between each will also be noted. 

ROOF TO WALL ATTACHMENT

SECONDARY WATER RESISTANCE

ROOF TO WALL ATTACHMENT

  The roof attachments become the focus here: are trusses attached with nails or hurricane clips? Are the wraps single or double? The more secure your roof, the better impact on your wallet! 

ROOF GEOMETRY

SECONDARY WATER RESISTANCE

SECONDARY WATER RESISTANCE

  Is your roof hip or not? Nope, we don’t care how cool it is, just how it’s shaped - a hip roof resembles that of a pyramid, and is a definite qualifier for a discount. 

SECONDARY WATER RESISTANCE

SECONDARY WATER RESISTANCE

SECONDARY WATER RESISTANCE

The homeowner must show documentation from the roofing contractor or the roofing

permit with installation instructions, or clear photographs of its installation to receive

credit for SWR. Installation instructions must indicate the product is installed directly to

the sheathing and to the entire roof.

OPENING PROTECTION

OPENING PROTECTION

OPENING PROTECTION

  Here, we are looking for shutters and installed-protection devices from wind-born debris for doors and windows. We will also be checking the rating of the devices, if you have them (as in- are they hurricane-rated?). 100% of all openings need to be covered with Hurricane rated protection to qualify for this discount. 

Downloads

Wind Mitigation Report- SAMPLE (pdf)

Download

4 POINT INSPECTION

Does Florida homeowners insurance require 4 point inspections?

 When you own or purchase an older home, rental property, or condo in Florida, you will likely need for a 4 point inspection before purchasing a homeowners policy. 

 Most insurance companies will require a 4 point inspection when a home is older than 20 years.  You can get an insurance quote without an inspection. However, you will need inspection before actually purchasing the policy.  We discuss below what an inspection looks at and what will cause a home to not "pass" a four point inspection. 

 Each FL insurance company has slightly different guidelines on when a 4 point inspection is required, so check with your Independent Insurance Agent.  A newer home does not need this inspection. You do not need this for a renters insurance policy. 

What is a 4 point inspection in Florida?

 A Sunshine States Best Home Inspection 4 point inspection looks at the 4 major systems (Roof, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC) in an older home.   An insurance company wants to know that an older home has been well maintained, and the major systems are in good working condition. This is not a safety inspection.  They are done by a licensed inspector or  building contractor.  

Here is what a Sunshine States Best Home Inspection 4 point inspection looks at:

 

ROOF

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

 Type of Roof Covering (shingles, tile, rolled). The age and condition of the roof. Are there missing shingles or leaks? 

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  The type of the wiring in the home (copper, aluminium, knob and tube). The brand of the electrical panel. The condition of the homes electrical system 

HEATING & COOLING SYSTEM

HEATING & COOLING SYSTEM

HEATING & COOLING SYSTEM

  Is there central heat and air in the home? The age and condition of the system. Are there signs of leaking? 

PLUMBING SYSTEM

HEATING & COOLING SYSTEM

HEATING & COOLING SYSTEM

 Type of supply and drain lines found in the home (copper, CPVC, galvanized, lead, polybutelene, etc. Is there evidence of current leaks?  The age of the hot water heater. 


Copyright © 2019 Sunshine State's Best Home Inspection - All Rights Reserved.