Wind Mit: What it is and why you need one.

August 23 2024 7:58pm • Est. Read Time: 3 MIN

“Wind mit” is simply shorthand for “wind mitigation inspection” – an inspection homeowners in catastrophe-prone states often get to help them save money on their home insurance. Depending on where you live, you might also hear wind mits called:

Why do I need a wind mit?

Seeing a lower premium on your home insurance is probably enticing enough, but getting a wind mitigation inspection has other benefits for you. Basically, wind mitigation is the process of reducing the likelihood of your home experiencing damage during windstorms, like hurricanes and tornadoes. A wind mit tells you how resilient your home is and what you can do to harden it even further.

How does a wind mitigation inspection work?

Getting a wind mitigation inspection starts with hiring a certified inspector. That certified inspector may be a:

  • General contractor.
  • Building contractor.
  • Architect.
  • Engineer.
  • Building inspector.
  • Home inspector.

The inspector comes to your house to assess the features that might help reduce damage to that structure during high wind conditions, such as:


  1. Roof cover. The inspector will want to know what material your roof is made of and will check if your roof is up to building code.

  2. Roof-deck attachment. Two things are important here: the length of the nails and how closely the nails are spaced.

Please note, if one out of 100 nails is two inches long, then the whole section rates as having two-inch nails, the weakest form of attachment.

  1. Roof-to-wall attachment. This is the system that secures your roof to your home during extreme conditions like a hurricane. Toe nails are the weakest type of attachment and apply no credit to your policy premium. Hurricane clips are the most common.

  2. Roof geometry. The shape of your roof (i.e., gabled, hip, etc.) goes a long way towards keeping your home safe during bad weather. 

Hip-shaped roofs means the perimeter of the roof is parallel to the ground, unlike other roof shapes which can have unparalleled portions. This shape is preferable in Florida. For us to consider your roof to be hip shaped, the perimeter needs to be at least 90% hip.

Gable or other-shaped roofs are more susceptible to high winds blowing them off because wind has a greater chance of getting caught under the roof. This increases the likelihood of the roof coming off.

  1. Secondary water resistance. This is a second, protective layer of water protection that  can either be installed during original construction or for an extra expense when a roof is replaced. It’s considered a premium option on many wind mit forms because it doesn't come standard in home construction.

  2. Opening protection. Impact-resistant windows, doors, garage doors, and shutters are added protection against high-speed projectiles that might be present during catastrophic events like a hurricane. These are also considered a premium option on most wind mit forms.

Inspections typically cost around $100 (depending on where you live), take 30 minutes to an hour to complete, and are valid for up to five years. That means any discount you earn for your wind mit can be applied each time you renew your policy until it’s time for a new inspection.


How do I get a discount for my wind mit?

You will need to send us a copy of the wind mit the inspector gives you after completing the inspection. The best and quickest way to get that done is by uploading those documents through the customer portal

Be sure the information on your wind mit matches the information on your policy (i.e., name, address, policy number). It should also:

  • Be signed and dated by a licensed inspector.
  • Include photos – color photos are preferred, but we can accept black and white photos.
  • Note the roof material on your home and when it was installed or most recently updated.
See Related