How Windstorm Inspections Can Benefit Your Client

Recently, legislation was passed requiring insurance companies writing homeowner policies in Florida to offer rate reductions, credits or other discounts toward the windstorm premium for certain construction features that lend in minimizing damage due to windstorm activity.  The theory behind these rate reductions is; a homeowner should not be required to pay an elevated premium when the construction methods and/or components used in building the home minimizes potential risk and/or loss.

Some of the construction features include; hip style roof, CBS exterior wall construction, certain roof decking materials, truss straps, newer applied roofing materials, FBC compliant garage doors, impact windows and other hurricane protection devices.  Some of these features apply to a home regardless of the original date of construction.

In order to maximize and receive these discounts, the dwelling must be certified by an authorized inspection professional.  Most insurance carriers require a minimum level of competency, most defined as a General Contractor or better.  The average Home Inspector lacks these qualifications unless they are working under an alternate license.

For a new home buyer, this inspection and certification must be conducted and forwarded to the proposed insurance agent prior to close in order to bind the insurance policy with the maximum discounts applied.  These discounts can exceed 40 percent of the windstorm (hurricane) premium.

GOLD COAST INSPECTIONS has performed over 1200 of these inspections for South Florida homeowners with an average savings of over $1700 a year in windstorm premiums.

Our staff of Professional Engineers, General Contractors and Florida State Certified Windstorm Inspectors, conduct these inspections daily and typically schedule an inspection within 2-3 business days.  If you are using GOLD COAST INSPECTIONS for the Pre-Purchase Home Inspection, the Windstorm Certification can be generated during this inspection and all reports forwarded the same business day.

For more information regarding Windstorm Discount Inspections or Pre-Purchase Home Inspections, please call today.