Installing impact-rated windows and doors can qualify you for significant wind insurance discounts in Florida. Learn how the savings work and what documentation your insurer needs.
Florida homeowner's insurance is expensive — and getting more so every year. In high-risk coastal counties like Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade, wind insurance can represent the majority of your annual premium. Impact windows and doors are one of the most effective tools you have for reducing that cost.
Why Insurers Give Discounts for Impact Products
Insurance companies price risk. A home with impact-rated windows and doors is statistically less likely to suffer catastrophic damage during a hurricane — because the primary way storms destroy homes is by breaching the building envelope through broken windows, failed doors, and garage door failures. Once the envelope fails, internal pressure can lift a roof entirely.
Impact products eliminate this risk factor. That reduced risk translates directly into lower expected claims, which is why Florida law requires insurers to offer credits to homes with wind mitigation features including impact-rated openings.
How Much Can You Save?
Savings vary by insurer, policy structure, and the specific features of your home, but wind mitigation credits for impact-rated openings typically range from 10% to 45% on the wind portion of your premium. In South Florida, where wind coverage can be $3,000–$8,000 per year, that translates to hundreds — sometimes thousands — of dollars annually.
The specific discount depends on what percentage of your home's openings are impact-rated. If all openings (windows, doors, garage doors) are impact-rated, you qualify for the maximum credit. Partial protection earns a partial credit.
The Wind Mitigation Inspection
To receive the credit, you need a wind mitigation inspection from a licensed inspector. They complete Florida's OIR-B1-1802 form (the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form), which documents the wind-resistance features of your home — including your roof shape, roof covering, roof deck attachment, and opening protection.
The inspection typically costs $75–$150 and takes about an hour. You submit the completed form to your insurance company, and they apply the credits to your policy at renewal or mid-term. The inspection is valid for 5 years.
What Documentation Your Insurer Needs
- Completed OIR-B1-1802 wind mitigation inspection form from a licensed inspector
- Product Notice of Acceptance (NOA) numbers for your impact windows and doors
- Copy of the installation permit and final inspection approval
- Product specifications showing impact and design pressure ratings
- Photos of installed products (often taken by the inspector)
When to Notify Your Insurer
You can request a wind mitigation inspection and submit credits to your insurer at any time — you don't need to wait for renewal. Most insurers will apply the discount to your current policy on a pro-rated basis, meaning you could start seeing savings within weeks of your installation being complete and permitted.
If you're shopping for a new homeowner's policy, disclose your impact-rated openings upfront during the quoting process. Some insurers specialize in wind-mitigated homes and offer more competitive rates than standard carriers.
At Orlando T Group, we provide all necessary product documentation — including NOA numbers, design pressure specs, and permit records — to support your wind mitigation inspection. We've helped hundreds of South Florida homeowners reduce their insurance costs.