If you are buying a home in Broward, Palm Beach or Miami-Dade, or shopping for a new homeowners policy, there is a good chance your insurance agent will ask for a 4-point inspection, a wind mitigation inspection, or both. They sound similar, and they are often done on the same visit, but they answer very different questions for your insurer.
What a 4-point inspection covers
A 4-point inspection looks at the four systems that most often lead to insurance claims:
- Roof: the covering, its approximate age and condition, and any visible leaks or damage.
- Electrical: the panel, the type of wiring, the service capacity and any visible hazards.
- Plumbing: the supply and drain materials, the water heater and any visible leaks.
- Heating and air conditioning: the type of system, its approximate age and whether it is working.
It is not a full home inspection. It is a snapshot of those four systems, documented with photos, so the insurer can decide whether to write or renew the policy.
Who needs one? Insurers set their own rules, but 4-point inspections are most often requested for older homes. If your agent asks for one, ask which form the insurer wants and whether there is an age cutoff for the roof or other systems.
What a wind mitigation inspection covers
Wind mitigation is about how well your home stands up to a hurricane: the inspection records the construction details that keep the roof on and the wind out. It is recorded on Florida's standard Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802), which insurers use when rating your policy. The form covers:
- The roof covering and when it was installed or permitted
- How the roof deck is attached to the framing
- How the roof is tied to the walls (clips, straps and similar connections)
- The shape of the roof (for example, hip versus gable)
- Secondary water resistance under the roof covering
- Protection of windows, doors and other openings
Why it matters: documented wind-resistant features may qualify your home for premium credits. The discounts are set by your insurer and aren't guaranteed, but the inspection is often worth doing, especially after a re-roof or new impact windows.
How the two fit together
- 4-point: answers "are the major systems in insurable condition?" and needs access to the electrical panel, water heater, air conditioning and roof. The usual result: the policy is written or renewed.
- Wind mitigation: answers "which wind-resistant features does the home have?" and needs access to the attic and exterior. The usual result: possible premium credits.
Many South Florida homeowners need both, and scheduling them together saves a second visit.
How to prepare
- Clear access to the attic hatch, the electrical panel, the water heater and the air conditioning equipment.
- Gather paperwork if you have it: roof permit dates, window and door product approvals, and receipts for electrical or plumbing updates.
- Tell us what your insurer asked for, so the right forms are completed the first time.
Schedule with ABI
American Building Inspectors performs 4-point and wind mitigation inspections across Broward, Palm Beach and North Miami-Dade, on their own or alongside a full home inspection. Schedule online or call (954) 372-7937.