With increasing homeowner's insurance premiums, lawmakers have made it possible to lower down insurance premiums. Insurance premiums can be substantially reduced through the help of a Wind Mitigation inspection. What are wind mitigation inspections all about? As the name itself suggests, wind mitigation inspection is about verifying whether the construction methods provide greater protection from wind hurricane damage.

With the occurrence of hurricanes in many states, the construction business has made it possible to construct homes in such a way that it can be protected from catastrophic hurricane damage. This includes methods that help strengthening its ability to withstand shear, lateral and uplift forces that the wind imposes associated to hurricanes. These systems can enhance the most vulnerable components in the home's protective shell, or provide a protective envelope to fortify the exterior walls, roofs, windows and doors such that they don't fail despite high winds. Other elements that can minimize the damage from hurricane and high winds during tropical storms can include:

• A more resilient roof shape
• Shutter protection installed over the windows
• Full or partial impact-resistant glazing on windows and other protection systems
• Hurricane straps and/or clips to hold the roof structure to the walls
• Roof shingle attachment method which meets FBC requirements
• Secondary water resistant structures or system to prevent roof leaks even if the roof cover gets blown off due to strong winds
• Reinforced roof decking with close spacing and large nails
• and other construction techniques (e.g. gable end bracing, rated doors, etc.)

Those mentioned are some of the structures a wind mitigation inspector will look for in a home. Also, newly-constructed homes that have been built in accordance to the Florida Building Code since March 1st of 2002, along with home built after 1994 in accordance to the South Florida Building Code in Miami-Dade and Broward counties will most likely qualify for insurance credits.

Not protecting the home with these features will allow debris wind-driven debris and rains to enter the home and wreak havoc. There also is a possibility for the high winds to enter into the home and exert pressure on the roof and walls, leading to unimaginable damage.

Wind mitigation inspections involve investigating your roof shape, roof coverings, roof-to-wall connections, wall materials, roof sheathing, opening protection, and many others. It usually lasts for an hour or two, after which your inspector will fill out a state-mandated form that will report whether your home meets the requirements to qualify for a homeowner's insurance discount. The discount you can get will depend largely on the wind mitigation inspection report; although a 15% to 20% insurance discount is common. Some construction features allow you to save as high as 30%.

Wind mitigation features set up in your home can save you on homeowner's insurance premiums. Wind mitigation home inspections can only be performed by a licensed inspector who works under a home inspection company authorized to operate in the state of Florida. Make sure to choose the right company to entrust your home inspections with.