My Safe Florida Home inspection vs. a private wind mitigation
Not insurance advice. General information only. Your insurer or agent decides what it needs.
Short answer: the free My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) initial inspection produces the same Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802) you would otherwise pay a private inspector for, plus recommended upgrades, cost estimates and estimated premium-discount information. The program tells homeowners to share the report with their insurer.
What the sources say
- Florida Statutes s. 215.5586(1) (2026 text) says program inspections are "to determine what insurance premium discounts may be available and what improvements ... are needed," and that the initial inspection must include, at a minimum, "a home inspection and report," "a range of cost estimates," and "information regarding estimated premium discounts, correlated to the current mitigation features and the recommended mitigation improvements." It requires program inspectors to be licensed building inspectors, contractors, engineers, architects, or home inspectors with at least 3 hours of hurricane mitigation training covering "compliance with the uniform mitigation verification form."
- Florida Statutes s. 627.711(2) (2026 text) says "an insurer shall accept as valid a uniform mitigation verification form signed by" listed authorized mitigation inspectors: a home inspector with that 3-hour training, a certified building code inspector, a general, building or residential contractor, a professional engineer, or a professional architect. It does not name the MSFH program; what makes a form acceptable is the signer's qualification, and s. 215.5586 requires program inspectors to hold those same license types.
- MSFH program materials: the program's Homeowners Guide lists "Form OIR-B1-1802 (Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form)" as an attachment to every Initial Inspection Report and every Final Inspection Report. Its support center says to "share this report with your insurance company" to "make sure you get all the insurance discounts you currently qualify for." The program's home page says the report gives you "the opportunity to share your report with your insurance carrier."
We found no source that contradicts these. Section 627.711 also lets insurers accept forms from others they consider qualified, and a private form signed by a qualified inspector is equally valid.
Status checked 2026-10-21: the program's website says free wind mitigation inspections and grants of up to $10,000 are available. You create an account, complete a Prioritization Questionnaire, and are placed in an inspection group (1-5); you can apply when your group's window opens. Funding is set by the Legislature, so check mysafeflhome.com.
| My Safe Florida Home inspection | Private wind mitigation | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free to eligible homeowners | You pay (see local prices) |
| OIR-B1-1802 form? | Yes, attached to the Initial Inspection Report | Yes |
| Also included | Recommended upgrades, cost estimates, estimated premium discounts | Varies by inspector |
| Who inspects | An inspector from a program wind certification entity | A qualified inspector you choose |
| Timing | Depends on your inspection group and program funding | Usually within days |
| Leads to grants? | Yes. Grants require the program's inspection | No |
Which should you choose?
- If you qualify and can wait, the MSFH inspection gets you the same OIR-B1-1802 for free, plus upgrade advice and grant eligibility.
- If your insurer or a home closing needs the form soon, or your group's window isn't open, a private inspection is faster. Ask your agent about deadlines.
- Either way, send the signed form to your agent or insurer and keep a copy. OIR says a completed form is valid for up to five years if the structure doesn't materially change.
Sources
- Florida Statutes s. 215.5586 (2026), My Safe Florida Home Program: leg.state.fl.us (checked 2026-10-21)
- Florida Statutes s. 627.711 (2026), uniform mitigation verification inspection form: leg.state.fl.us (checked 2026-10-21)
- MSFH Homeowners Guide, Hurricane Mitigation Inspections: msfh-program.helpjuice.com
- MSFH Support Center, "How do I get discounts on homeowner's insurance using my inspection reports?": support.mysafeflhome.com
- MSFH Support Center, Program Terms Glossary: support.mysafeflhome.com
- My Safe Florida Home: mysafeflhome.com (checked 2026-10-21)
- Florida OIR, Wind Mitigation Resources: floir.gov (checked 2026-10-21)
FAQ
Does the My Safe Florida Home inspection include the wind mitigation form?
Yes. The program's Homeowners Guide lists Form OIR-B1-1802 (Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form) as an attachment to every Initial Inspection Report.
Must my insurer accept a form signed by a program inspector?
Florida Statutes s. 627.711 says an insurer shall accept as valid a uniform mitigation verification form signed by listed authorized inspectors, and s. 215.5586 requires program inspectors to hold those same license types and training.
Is My Safe Florida Home accepting applications?
When we checked on 2026-10-21, the program's site asked homeowners to create an account and complete a Prioritization Questionnaire to be placed in an inspection group. Funding depends on the Legislature; check mysafeflhome.com.