How to Read Your Wind Mitigation Report: Every Line Decoded
You paid for a wind mitigation inspection, received a form covered in categories and letter grades, and understood almost none of it. That form determines the largest discounts on your Florida policy. Here is what each line means and which ones matter most.
The seven categories
Building Code: whether your home was built to the strengthened Florida codes. Homes permitted after the 2002 Florida Building Code generally start with better baseline credits.
Roof Covering: whether your roof meets current code requirements, verified by permit dates or product approval. Non-compliant coverings limit other credits.
Roof Deck Attachment: graded A through D based on nail size and spacing. A is the weakest (older staples or widely spaced short nails); D is the strongest.
Roof to Wall Attachment: toe nails (weakest), clips, single wraps, or double wraps (strongest). This describes how your roof structure connects to the walls.
See what your report is costing you
Our free Wind Mitigation Savings Calculator estimates your unclaimed credits in about a minute — no account required.
The categories that move the most money
Roof Geometry: hip roofs (sloping on all sides) earn better credit than gable roofs, because they shed wind more effectively. You cannot change this without a rebuild.
Secondary Water Resistance (SWR): a sealed barrier under the roof covering. Yes or no.
Opening Protection: the category most homeowners are missing and typically the largest single credit on the form. Rated by whether all openings carry impact-rated protection, and at what standard.
What to do with what you find
Read your opening protection line first. If it says None or N, the biggest available credit is unclaimed, and it is the only major category you can change without roof work.
If roof-to-wall shows toe nails and you are planning roof work anyway, ask the contractor about retrofitting straps or clips while the structure is exposed — the incremental cost during an existing project is far lower than as a standalone job.
And check the report date. Over five years old means expired, which means credits may already have dropped off your policy.
Frequently asked questions
What does "Opening Protection: None" mean on my report?
It means no verified impact-rated protection on your windows and doors, so the largest wind mitigation credit is unclaimed. It is also the only major category you can change without roof work.
What is the difference between clips and wraps on a wind mit report?
They describe how your roof connects to your walls. Toe nails are weakest, clips are better, and single or double wraps are strongest — with credits improving accordingly.
Does roof shape really affect my insurance?
Yes. Hip roofs, which slope on all sides, shed wind more effectively than gable roofs and earn better credit. It is not something you can change short of a structural rebuild.
My report is six years old. Is it still good?
No. Wind mitigation reports are generally valid for five years, and expired reports can cause credits to silently drop off at renewal. A fresh inspection may restore them.
See what your report is costing you
Our free Wind Mitigation Savings Calculator estimates your unclaimed credits in about a minute — no account required.
Related insurance guides
My Safe Florida Home grant windows open and run out. Insurance rules change every season. The Shield Briefing emails you the day it happens — free, plain English, from this site's team.
Get Free Florida Alerts →