Wind Mitigation & 4-Point Inspections in Southwest Florida
Southwest Florida has taken two major hurricane hits in under twenty years: Charley in 2004 and Ian in 2022. Insurers here look closely at how a house is built and what shape its major systems are in. A wind mitigation inspection documents the features that can earn you premium credits. A 4-point inspection gives the insurer the age and condition of the four systems it worries about most. Kelting Inspections & Services does both in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port, Englewood, Venice, Sarasota, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers and Naples, in one visit. Buying? We do them on the same visit as your home inspection.
Book a wind mitigation or 4-point inspection or call or text (941) 655-8888.
Wind mitigation inspection (new OIR-B1-1802, Rev. 04/26)
Florida law requires insurers to offer discounts or credits for wind-resistant construction. To get them, you need proof, and that proof is the state’s Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, OIR-B1-1802. On the form we document:
We use the current form. Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation updated the OIR-B1-1802 form, and the new version (Rev. 04/26) took effect April 1, 2026. Every wind mitigation inspection done on or after that date must use it. The new form adds items such as FORTIFIED Home certificates, your home’s design wind speed region, and roof slope. Every report we write is on the current form.
- Building code: whether the home was built under the 2001 Florida Building Code or later (permits applied for on or after March 1, 2002)
- Roof covering: type, and whether it meets code, based on permit or product approval information
- Roof deck attachment: how the roof sheathing is nailed down, checked from the attic
- Roof-to-wall attachment: toe nails, clips, single or double wraps, or structural straps
- Roof geometry: hip roofs typically score better than gable roofs
- Secondary water resistance: a sealed underlayment that limits water entry if shingles or tiles blow off
- Opening protection: rated impact windows, doors, garage doors and shutters
Your insurer decides how much credit each feature earns, so savings vary by company and policy. A completed form is valid for up to five years, as long as the house hasn’t had material changes and the form has no errors. If you’ve replaced the roof or added impact windows since your last report, get a new inspection.
Have an older report? Citizens still accepts the previous version (Rev. 01/12) if it was completed within the five years before April 1, 2026 and nothing has changed on the house. Check with your agent, since each insurer sets its own rules.
Florida limits who can sign this form. Home inspectors must complete hurricane mitigation training and pass a proficiency exam (s. 627.711, Florida Statutes). We include photos of each item.
How to get the most from your wind mitigation report
- Find your permits. Roof replacement permits and product approval numbers help show your roof covering meets code. Charlotte County and the City of Punta Gorda both keep permit records.
- Keep window and shutter paperwork. Impact-rated labels, receipts or product approvals help us verify opening protection. Leave shutters and panels on site where we can see them.
- Clear attic access. We verify the roof deck and roof-to-wall connections from the attic.
4-point inspection
A 4-point inspection covers the roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC (heating and cooling). It’s a snapshot of each system’s age, type and condition on the insurer’s form, not a full home inspection.
When is it required? Each insurer sets its own rules. Citizens Property Insurance, for example, says it requires a 4-point inspection for property owner, dwelling and mobile home applications on properties more than 20 years old (citizensfla.com, checked October 2026). Ask your agent which rule applies to your carrier. Many homes built in the 1990s and early 2000s around Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda now fall under the 20-year rule.
Insurers commonly ask about:
- Roof: covering type, approximate age, remaining life, and any signs of leaks
- Electrical: panel brand and condition, wiring type and any hazards such as exposed wiring
- Plumbing: supply and drain piping materials, the water heater, and any active leaks
- HVAC: system age, condition and whether it works
Citizens says serious hazards, such as exposed wiring or active leaks, should be repaired before you apply, so book the 4-point early in your inspection period. Our post on 4 things to check before a 4-point inspection covers the quick fixes.
Older roofs: Citizens also requires a separate roof inspection for shingle-type roofs older than 25 years and tile, metal or other hard roofs older than 50 years. The roof needs at least five years of remaining useful life. Ask us about a roof certification if your insurer wants one.
Don’t wait for a storm to book
Citizens says it won’t write new policies or policy changes anywhere in Florida while a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning is in effect for any part of the state. If you’re closing during hurricane season (June 1 to November 30), get your inspections done early so your coverage isn’t stuck waiting on paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do a wind mitigation and a 4-point on the same visit?
Yes, and that’s how most clients book them. If you’re buying, we do both during the same visit as your full home inspection.
Does a 4-point inspection “pass” or “fail”?
No. We document what’s there and its condition. Your insurer decides whether to write the policy or ask for repairs.
How long is a wind mitigation report good for?
Up to five years, as long as there are no material changes to the home and the form has no errors.
Do you serve Punta Gorda?
Yes. We inspect homes in Punta Gorda, including canal-front neighborhoods, and serve Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port, Englewood, Venice, Sarasota, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers and Naples. Need a full inspection too? See home inspection in Port Charlotte.
Schedule your insurance inspection
Book online or call or text (941) 655-8888. You’ll get your completed forms by email within 24 hours, ready to send to your insurance agent. Veterans: ask about our veterans discount.
