canadafloridaThe reference manual

Chapter 02 · Topic 02.3 · Insurance

Required Florida insurance inspections: 4-point, wind mit, roof

3 key inspections: 4-Point (roof/electrical/plumbing/HVAC), Wind Mitigation (up to 45% credits), Roof (remaining life). OIR B1-1802 standard form. Total cost $200-500.

Published 2026-04-28Last reviewed 2026-04-29Reading time ≈ 9 minAuthor CanadaFlorida Editorial Team

Direct answer · 60-second summary

The 60-second version

To bind or renew a Florida home insurance policy, insurers (private or Citizens) frequently require several inspections. The three main: 4-Point Inspection (roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC), Wind Mitigation Inspection (wind resistance — earns large credits), and Roof Condition Certification (remaining roof life). For buildings > 30 years, many carriers demand all three. Typical total cost: $200-500 per inspection. Performed by an FL-licensed inspector (Florida Home Inspector or Engineer/Architect). Documenting these also reduces premium by up to 30-45% via wind mitigation credits (F.S. §627.0629).

REFERENCE · ACRONYMS USED IN THIS GUIDE

Acronyms used in this guide

4-Point Inspection

  • Covers 4 systems: roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC.
  • Format: standardized report (Citizens uses CITIZENS-USIR; some carriers have their own form).
  • Identifies: age, general condition, known issues, code compliance.
  • Typically required for buildings ≥ 25 or 30 years (varies by carrier).
  • Cost: $75-200.
  • Validity: 1-5 years per carrier.
  • If issue found: must be corrected for binding (often within 30-90 days).

Wind Mitigation Inspection

  • Documents wind resistance: roof shape (hip vs gable), shingles vs concrete tile vs metal, roof-deck attachment (toe-nail vs clips vs straps), wall fixation, opening protection (shutters, impact glass).
  • Format: OIR Form B1-1802 (statewide uniform since 2008).
  • Cost: $75-200.
  • Validity: 5 years.
  • Credits granted per F.S. §627.0629: up to 30-45% reduction in the wind portion of premium.
  • For a Canadian buying a home: always order a wind mit inspection. Excellent ROI if home has modern protections.

Roof Condition Certification

  • Assesses remaining life of the roof.
  • Format: Citizens Form CIT RCF-1, or licensed inspector report.
  • Many insurers refuse to bind a home with < 5 years remaining roof life.
  • If roof has < 5 years remaining: replacement quote required before binding.
  • Cost: $75-150.
  • Validity: 1-3 years per carrier.
  • SB 2-A 2022: requires insurers to offer at least one policy option without "actual cash value" clause on roofs > 10 yrs (previously, many forced ACV instead of RCV for older roofs).

Sometimes additional inspections

  • Septic inspection: if septic system instead of municipal sewer.
  • Termite inspection: optional but often recommended.
  • Florida Building Code Compliance: for homes < 2002 (post-Andrew code modernized).
  • Drone roof inspection: new in 2024-2026, some carriers only accept recent drone photos.

For Canadian snowbirds: tips

  • Do the 3 key inspections at or shortly after purchase (4-point, wind mit, roof). Total ~$300-500.
  • Keep permanent copies in a digital folder.
  • Renew wind mit inspection every 5 years or after major change (new roof, shutters installed).
  • Choose an FL-licensed inspector with wind mit experience (specific training, optional certification).
  • List on the invoice improvements to make to gain extra credits (impact shutters, improved roof attachment).

Formulaires officiels et pages de référence

Responsabilité du lecteur

Toujours utiliser la dernière version disponible sur le site officiel cité ci-dessous. Les seuils, taux et délais évoluent. CanadaFlorida ne se substitue pas à un professionnel licencié.

Editorial team

CanadaFlorida Editorial Team

Research drawn from primary public sources cited at the bottom of every guide: U.S. and Florida statutes, U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, official Florida county and state authorities, and Canadian provincial bodies where applicable.

Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.

Sources and references

Public sources verified as of the last review date (Florida Statutes, Florida Department of Revenue, Citizens, FEMA, DBPR).

  1. F.S. §627.0629 — Residential property insurance; rate filings; wind mitigation. leg.state.fl.us/§627.0629
  2. OIR Form B1-1802 — Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection. floir.com/wind-forms
  3. Citizens — Inspection Forms. citizensfla.com/inspections
  4. Senate Bill 2-A (2022) — Property insurance reforms (roof ACV/RCV). flsenate.gov/sb2a

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Disclaimer

This guide is for educational purpose only. Figures, rates, thresholds, timelines and rules are drawn from public sources at the date shown and may change.

For any concrete decision, consult a Florida-licensed attorney, a cross-border tax attorney, or a Florida-licensed insurance broker.