Florida Statute 627.0629(1) requires insurance companies to offer Florida homeowners “discounts, credits, or other rate differentials…” for construction techniques that reduce damage and loss in windstorms. Florida insurance companies were required to submit filings by March 2003 that provide for these wind mitigation discounts. The insurance company filings began to take effect during 2003. In October 2006 Rule 690-170.07 was passed requiring insurers to increase insurance discounts for wind mitigation features in their filings with the Office of Insurance Regulation.
Wind mitigation is an inspection that may qualify a property for discounts on windstorm insurance. These discounts reward those who have wind-resistance features on their property that decrease the amount of damage that may occur during a windstorm. Less damage equals less costs to insurance companies. These savings are passed on to the homeowner in the form of wind mitigation discounts.