Updated November 4, 2026
Start with the law
Section 627.0629, Florida Statutes, requires residential property rate filings to include actuarially reasonable discounts, credits or other rate differentials for properties with windstorm-damage-reducing features. Under section 627.711, insurers must accept as valid a form signed by an authorized mitigation inspector, and they must notify applicants and policyholders of available discounts at issuance and at each renewal.
Step 1: Check the form
Look over the report. Confirm the address, policy details and year built, and make sure each answer has a photo or document behind it. Mistakes are easier to fix before you send it.
Step 2: Send it to the right person
Send it to your agent or insurer. Ask them to confirm in writing that they received it and are applying it. Ask what discounts will be applied and when the change will show up on your bill or renewal.
Step 3: Review the result
Compare your declarations page before and after. Credits, if any, depend on your insurer's filed rates and what the form shows. If nothing changed, ask which features did not qualify and why. Some items on the form may not qualify for a discount, as the form itself notes.
What insurers can do
An insurer may require independent verification of a form at its own expense before accepting it, and may accept forms from other qualified persons beyond those the statute lists. For forms submitted to Citizens that were signed by an authorized inspector and verified by an approved quality assurance program, the statute says they are not subject to independent verification or reinspection absent material changes.
Keep it current
The Office of Insurance Regulation says the form is valid for up to five years if no material changes are made and there are no inaccuracies (see the OIR page). Mark the date on your calendar. If you replace the roof, add shutters or impact windows, or change doors, an updated inspection may capture the improvement. The form was also revised effective April 1, 2026, so older forms may look different from new ones.
Shopping for coverage
If you shop around, give each company the same form. Quotes use different rating methods, so compare coverage, deductibles and exclusions, not just price. A wind mitigation report does not change what is covered. Remember that most homeowners policies do not cover flood, so ask about flood insurance separately.
If something seems wrong
Ask the inspector to correct errors. If you disagree with your insurer's decision, ask for it in writing and ask about its review process. The Florida Department of Financial Services and the Office of Insurance Regulation offer consumer help lines.
A short script for your agent
You can say: "I have a new wind mitigation form dated [date]. Please confirm you received it, tell me which credits you applied, and tell me when it takes effect." Then ask: "What do you need at renewal to keep these credits?"
Keep a copy of your email or the portal confirmation. If you change agents or insurers, bring the form with you.
Common questions to ask at renewal
- Is my current form still on file and within its five-year window?
- Did the insurer's renewal notice list the discounts available?
- Do any recent changes to my home, such as a new roof or shutters, mean I should update the form?
- What is my wind or hurricane deductible, and did it change?
These questions are quick to ask and keep your records tidy. Your insurer's notice at renewal is required by statute to describe available discounts, credits, rate differentials or deductible reductions.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay to send the form?
Check with your insurer whether it charges anything to process the form. The inspection itself has a fee that varies by inspector, so get quotes.
Can I use a form from a previous owner?
It may be valid for up to five years if the structure has not materially changed, but your insurer decides. Ask before relying on it.
Will my premium drop?
It might, but nothing is guaranteed. The result depends on your insurer's rates and what your home has.