Our office learned about lots of smart insurance moves in a training last week delivered by Joseph Sikora of Oswald Trippe and Company (Sarasota, 941-552-5606). One of the topics was the "My Safe Florida Home" program ...

It should be no surprise that some homes are built better than others, and that the ones that are built better will likely stand up to severe weather with less damage.

Less hurricane damage means lower insurance claims, which is good news for the insurance companies. If only you, the owner of one of those "better-built" houses, could somehow share in those savings -- say, through reduced insurance premiums.

In Florida, you can do just that. Go to www.mysafeflorida.com where the program is laid out in detail. It's easy: Apply for an inspection -- it's free for Floridians' primary residence as long as it's a site-built, detached single-family home.

The state-certified inspector will come to your house, conduct an inspection, and provide you with a Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form. You'll send this form to your insurance company to qualify for credit on each feature of your home that makes it stronger in severe weather.

You say your home lacks some of those features? Very important to know: the program won't require that you do anything. But you might consider upgrading certain features to qualify for discounts, and then your premium savings could help you pay them off. There is also free money available: If your home is built before 2002 and its insured value is under $300,000, you can qualify for up to $5,000 in state grants to make upgrades (just to clarify, "grant" means gift, so you never have to repay it -- are we happy yet?).

What kinds of home features are we talking about?

• Type of roof covering
• Method of roof attachment
• Roof-to-wall attachment
• Roof geometry (shape/design -- some resist wind better than others)
• Type of roof underlayment
• Types of windows, doors and/or storm shutters
• Reinforced garage doors

Inspections are NOT free for mobile homes, condominiums, or any structure that is not primary residence (rentals, apartments, commercial buildings), but that doesn't mean you can't participate -- only that you'll pay for your inspection (about $150 and worth it!).

If you're a homeowner, the inspection is a good idea. If you're a Realtor, recommending it to your customer base could be doing them a big favor -- and will set you apart from the pack.

Mr. Sikora was very knowledgeable and helpful. Oswald Trippe and Company has been in Florida since 1981; I was particularly impressed that they are an employee-owned company. To me, this means that the agents are in it for the long haul -- not to make quick cash and run -- and motivated to provide the kind of service that makes for loyal customers.

Look for more insurance tips from our training in future blogs.