PBC Inspections

How to prepare for a Florida wind mitigation inspection

Checked

Not insurance advice. General information only. Your insurer or agent decides what it needs.

Short answer: Citizens' preparation FAQ says attic access is required to determine how the roof connects to the exterior walls, how the roof decking connects to the trusses and, in some homes, whether secondary water resistance is present. Clear the attic access point, warn the inspector if the hatch is very high or in an unusual spot, make storm shutters available (hardware must already be permanently installed), and hand over copies of documents that identify mitigation features. Citizens' "Your Wind Inspection" page adds that if you cannot attend, you may designate a representative 18 or older who knows where the attic access and any stored shutters or panels are.

Clear attic access

Citizens' FAQ on preparing for a wind mitigation inspection says that if your home has an attic, make sure it is accessible and that the attic interior is clear before the inspector arrives. Attic access is required to determine how the roof is connected to the exterior walls, how the roof decking (often plywood) is connected to the roof trusses and, in some homes, whether secondary water resistance is present. Move vehicles, appliances, boxes and other obstacles out of the way of the attic access point. When you schedule, notify the inspector if the attic access is very high or in an unusual location, for example in a closet.

Citizens' "Your Wind Inspection" page repeats that attic access is required to verify certain mitigation features. If the inspector cannot access your attic, you may not be eligible for discounts for roof-to-wall attachment, roof-deck attachment and secondary water-resistance features. The OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) form itself has a "No attic access" answer on questions 5 (roof deck attachment) and 6 (roof-to-wall attachment). Citizens' Wind Loss Mitigation Guide (Rev. 04/26) enters that answer as "Unknown or Unidentified" in its systems. For what those questions look for once the inspector is inside, see roof-to-wall attachment, roof deck attachment and secondary water resistance.

Documents to hand the inspector

Citizens says to give the inspector copies of any available documents that clearly identify mitigation features and that verify the features meet the standards on the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802, Rev. 04/26) or the Building Type II and III Mitigation Inspection Form. Its "Your Wind Inspection" page says to give those copies before the inspection begins, and that documentation helps you receive discounts for features that may not be clearly marked or easily visible.

Citizens lists these as acceptable documentation examples:

  • Receipts or other documents that include product specifications
  • Work orders and invoices
  • Roofing permits
  • Notice-of-acceptance letters for mitigation products (usually obtained from installers or manufacturers)

The OIR-B1-1802 form itself says any documentation used to validate a construction or mitigation attribute must accompany the form, and that at least one photograph or document providing proof must accompany the form to validate each attribute marked in questions 2 through 9. A FORTIFIED Home Roof, Silver or Gold certificate may be used to validate attributes marked in questions 4 through 6 and 8 through 9. Citizens' Wind Loss Mitigation Guide tells agents, before submitting for credits, to verify that required photos for attributes 2 through 9 are completed and that required product approval certificates, permits and other documentation are included. To pull roof and window permits in Palm Beach County, see how to find permit records. Opening-protection paperwork is covered in more detail in impact windows and shutters.

Storm shutters and panels

Citizens' preparation FAQ says that if you have storm shutters, make them available for the inspection. Shutters do not have to be installed at the time of inspection, but the hardware that holds them in place must be permanently installed around the openings. Citizens' "Your Wind Inspection" page says the inspection covers storm shutters or panels that are installed or stored on the property. If you cannot attend, make sure your representative knows where any stored shutters or panels are.

If you cannot attend

Citizens' "Your Wind Inspection" page says that if you cannot attend the inspection yourself, you may designate someone who is 18 years of age or older to be your representative during the inspection. Ensure that your representative knows where to find attic access and any stored storm shutters or panels. The OIR-B1-1802 homeowner certification block has the homeowner certify that the named qualified inspector, or the inspector's employee, did perform an inspection of the residence and that proof of identification was provided to the homeowner or an authorized representative.

What the inspector walks through

Citizens says that once you select a home inspector or inspection company, contact them to schedule at a convenient time, and that a company representative may ask questions about your property to prepare. Before the inspection begins, give the inspector copies of any mitigation documents you have. The inspector then performs a comprehensive inspection of the home and property, including:

  • The home's basic structure and construction materials
  • Roof shape, materials and connections
  • Wall construction
  • Exterior and garage doors, windows and skylights
  • Storm shutters or panels (installed or stored on the property)
  • Attic interior

For how those findings map onto the nine questions on the Rev. 04/26 form, read the wind mitigation form, question by question.

After the inspection

Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) says the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802) is valid for up to five years provided no material changes are made to the structure or inaccuracies are found on the form. Florida DFS and the form footer repeat that five-year rule. Citizens' Wind Loss Mitigation Guide says agents should confirm the form is valid (within five years) and that there have been no structural changes since the inspection before submitting for credits. See how long inspection reports stay valid.

Citizens says its underwriters review all mitigation forms and supporting documents, and that a form may not be accepted if the appropriate professional outlined on the form does not perform the inspection or the professional's Florida license is not active or cannot be verified. As authorized under s. 627.711(8), Citizens reserves the right to verify any wind mitigation form by ordering an independent inspection. Section 627.711(9) also lets an insurer, at its expense, independently verify a form before accepting it as valid. See when an insurer can re-inspect or reject a form.

Before you book

  • Confirm the inspector is authorized: OIR encourages consumers to be diligent when selecting an inspector and to verify that the inspector is authorized under s. 627.711(2)(a). DFS and the form list the same license types. See who can sign the OIR-B1-1802 and how to look up a license on DBPR.
  • Ask which form they will use: DFS says the OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) must be used for all inspections as of April 1, 2026. Citizens' guide says the Rev. 04/26 form is required when an inspection is completed on or after that date.
  • Tell them about attic access and shutters: Citizens asks you to warn the inspector about a high or unusual attic hatch when you schedule, and to make shutters available.
  • Compare prices: 10 of the 16 companies we list publish a wind mitigation price. Listed prices run from $100 to $200, some of them starting prices, with a median of $150 counting each company once. See the Palm Beach County prices page or find an inspector on the city pages.

FAQ

Do I need attic access for a wind mitigation inspection?

Citizens says attic access is required to determine roof-to-wall connections, how the roof decking connects to the trusses and, in some homes, secondary water resistance. Its Your Wind Inspection page says that if the inspector cannot access the attic, you may not be eligible for discounts for roof-to-wall attachment, roof-deck attachment and secondary water-resistance features.

What documents should I give the wind mitigation inspector?

Citizens lists receipts or other documents that include product specifications, work orders and invoices, roofing permits, and notice-of-acceptance letters for mitigation products. Give copies before the inspection begins. The OIR-B1-1802 also requires that documentation used to validate each attribute accompany the form, with at least one photograph or document for each attribute marked in questions 2 through 9.

Do storm shutters have to be installed for the inspection?

No. Citizens' preparation FAQ says shutters do not have to be installed at the time of inspection, but the hardware that holds them in place must be permanently installed around the openings, and you should make the shutters available. Stored shutters or panels on the property are part of what the inspector checks.

Can someone else meet the inspector if I am not home?

Yes. Citizens says you may designate someone 18 years of age or older as your representative. That person should know where to find attic access and any stored storm shutters or panels.

How long is the wind mitigation form valid after the inspection?

OIR, DFS and the OIR-B1-1802 form itself say the form is valid for up to five years provided no material changes have been made to the structure or inaccuracies are found on the form.

Who is allowed to perform the wind mitigation inspection?

Florida Statutes s. 627.711(2)(a) lists authorized mitigation inspectors, including a home inspector with the required hurricane mitigation training, a building code inspector, a general, building or residential contractor, a professional engineer, a professional architect, or anyone else the insurer recognizes as qualified. OIR encourages consumers to verify that the inspector is authorized under that statute.

Sources

  • Citizens Property Insurance, How can I prepare for a wind mitigation inspection? (Answer ID 2592): securesupport.citizensfla.com (checked Nov 6, 2026)
  • Citizens Property Insurance, Your Wind Mitigation Inspection: citizensfla.com (checked Nov 6, 2026)
  • Citizens Wind Loss Mitigation Guide (Rev. 04/26), overview, documentation and attic-access entries: citizensfla.com (PDF) (checked Nov 6, 2026)
  • Florida OIR, Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26): floir.gov (PDF) (checked Nov 6, 2026)
  • Florida OIR, Wind Mitigation Resources: floir.gov (checked Nov 6, 2026)
  • Florida DFS, Mitigation Notices, Inspections and Forms: myfloridacfo.com (checked Nov 6, 2026)
  • Florida Statutes s. 627.711 (2026), notice of premium discounts; uniform mitigation verification inspection form: leg.state.fl.us (checked Nov 6, 2026)