| How do I know if I will qualify to get discounts with a mitigation inspection?
There are several areas of a home that are used to determine if any discounts can be applied to insurance premiums:
1.) Is the roof up to the current code? The roof must meet at a minimum the 2001 Florida Building Code or the 1994 South Florida Building Code. This means that for Broward and Dade County a new roof installed as of 1994 would qualify and all other counties a new roof installed as of March 2002 would qualify.
2.) Roof Deck Attachment - When a new roof is installed the nailing pattern and size of nails that are use to hold down the roof covering are brought up to the current code. These can be verified and may also provide discounts.
3.) Roof to Wall Attachment - When a home is built the roof is attached to the foundation walls either by metal strapping or toenails. Depending on the type of attachment used a discount can be provided.
4.) Roof Shape - If your home has a hip roof, with no other roof shapes greater than 50% of the major wall length, you may be eligible for a discount.
5.) SWR (Secondary Water Resistance) - This is a fairly new construction element used on re-roofs today and can help lower wind policies. When replacing a roof, there is an option to pay for SWR. This is rubber membrane product that comes in 6" strips adhered to the plywood seams on the roof deck to prevent water intrusion. This is an additional layer of water resistance. THIS IS NOT FELT PAPER. In Broward and Dade county this product is applied differently. SWR is applied through a spray-on foam application on the interior plywood seams in the attic.
6.) Opening Protection - In order to begin receiving a shutter credit, ALL glazed openings need to be protected. Glazed openings included any openings with glass. (Example: Windows, Doors, Sliding Glass/French Doors, Garage Doors, Skylights, Gable End Vents, etc.) All openings that have glass in or around them need to be either impact resistant or protected with a shuttering device.
|
| How much can I save with a wind mitigation inspection?
Wind Mitigation discounts are applied towards the windstorm portion of your total insurance premium. Depending on where you are located in Florida, the windstorm portion is between 15% and 70% of the total premium. Premium determination is very complex and actual dollar discounts can not be calculated here. For exact quotes, you must contact your insurance agent or the individual insurance company in question. The three main factors for wind mitigation discounts include:
1.) The number of wind resistant construction features present on your condo or home - The more wind resistive features you have, the higher the total discount will be for your property. The discounts can be as high as 30% or more of the wind portion of the insurance premium.
2.) The location of your condo or home - Discounted wind insurance rates are adjusted according to where your property is located within the state. If your wind insurance rates are high, then the percentage discounts will be greater for a condo or house in a high rate area versus the same condo or house in a lower rate area.
3.) The value of your condo or home - High value condos or homes have higher premiums. Therefore, the value of the discounts will increase with the value of the condo or home.
|
| What are the benefits of getting a wind mitigation inspection?
Not only can a wind mitigation inspection help to lower the cost of wind insurance premiums, but it helps the homeowner to gain knowledge about their home and how they can harden it against damage caused by hurricanes and tropical storms.
|
| How long is a mitigation inspection valid for?
Currently, the wind mitigation form (OIR-B1-1802) is valid for 5 years from the date of the inital inspection.
|
| Why do I need a Four Point inspection?
Four Point Inspections are required for individuals who wish to obtain homeowners insurance on a property that is between 25 - 50 years old. Insurance companies determine the age at which a home will be required to have a four-point inspection. This varies from one insurance company to another. A four-point inspection involves obtaining general information about certain areas (roof, electrical, HVAC, & plumbing) of your home. The carriers want to determine if any upgrades have been completed and the condition that these areas are in. Basically, they want to verify that your property is in good condition and that there are no risks in insuring the property.
|
| Is there a standard form to fill out for a Four Point inspection?
There is no industry wide standard form for a four point inspection. Although some insurance carriers provide their own forms to fill out for a four-point inspection others only require that certain information be provided to them.
We have developed our own custom four point form which satisfies all the requirements that insurance carriers need.
|
| Can I fill the inspection forms out myself?
No. Insurance companies require that the information obtained during an inspection is verified and completed by a licensed individual, such as a license building contractor or licensed roofing contractor.
|
Do you use the correct forms for your inspections?
|
| Why should I use Integrity Inspections?
Integrity Inspections is commited to giving you the best inspection experience posible. Not only do we have the necessary experience and knowledge required to completed your inspections but we consider ourselves one of the best in our ability to complete accurate inspections with great customer service. We are a family owned and operated company and we know the importance of obtaining a great inspection. Our goal is to help you obtain your insurance in the easiest way possible.
|
Are you licensed & insured?
Yes! For copies of our current insurance and workers compensation coverage please contact our office. Our license number is CRC1330255. Please feel free to check the status of our license.
License Status
|
| Is there a penalty for knowingly obtaining an inappropriate mitigation discount?
Yes! Recently enacted insurance legislation (HB1495 lines 2143-2148) passed in May and signed by Governor Charlie Crist states that: "An individual or entity who knowingly provides or utters a false or fraudulent mitigation verification form with the intent to obtain or receive a discount on an insurance premium to which the individual or entity is not entitled commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083." Note that a misdemeanor of the first degree carries a potential punishment of a $1,000.00 fine and up to one year in jail per charge.
|
| What is your policy on returned checks?
Any returned checks will be charged a $35 fee.
|
| What is your refund policy?
Our refund policy applies to wind mitigation inspections which do NOT receive savings over the cost of the inspection. We will refund the difference between the inspection fee and your savings. This guarantee is only for policies where the homeowner insures the entire structure (such as H-03 policy) and where ONLY a wind mitigation inspection was completed for the FIRST time on the property.
Please note any "combo package deals" are not eligible to receive a refund. This is due to the large discount in the price for our combo packages. There are no refunds on reinspections. If required to convert an outdated insurance for to the 1802-OIR form (current mitigation form) there will be no refund.
|