A wind mitigation inspection will cost between $75 to $150 on average. While you might be tempted to skip your annual inspection, the relatively small cost of the inspection can save you a lot of money compared to letting a serious issue arise unchecked.
Owning a home can come with a lot of ups and downs—and if you live in a state that frequently sees strong winds, hurricanes, or tornadoes, wind damage to your home may be one of those downs. Luckily, you can get wind mitigation inspections to help you identify weaker areas of your home’s structure that might be susceptible to wind damage.
And while $75 to $150 might seem like a lot, it’s a small price to pay to avoid really expensive repairs to your home after a strong storm. Here to walk you through the ins and outs of wind mitigation inspections is Jerry
, the top-rated broker app
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How much does a wind mitigation inspection cost?
The average cost of a wind mitigation inspection is between $75 and $150. Some insurance companies require wind mitigation inspections before they’ll insure your home, especially in states like Florida
where hurricanes are common. However, a lot of home insurance companies will offer discounts on your insurance premiums if you complete a wind mitigation inspection and implement any changes necessary to make your home more resistant to wind damage.
A regular home inspection typically doesn’t include a wind mitigation inspection, so be prepared to pay extra for a full home inspection if you need other areas of your home assessed before buying or selling a house.
4-point inspections also do not evaluate your home for the risk of wind damage. A lot of insurance companies will require a 4-point inspection and a wind mitigation inspection for older homes in high-risk areas. You’ll need to pay for both inspections, as a 4-point inspection will only evaluate your HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and roof systems.
Don’t skip out on a wind mitigation inspection to try and cut costs. This is especially true if you live in an area that sees a lot of strong storms and damaging winds. Having an inspection can let you know if your home is at risk for serious damage caused by high winds and help you avoid expensive repairs down the road.
MORE: Does flood insurance cover hurricanes?
Do I need a wind mitigation inspection?
While wind mitigation inspections aren’t required by any state law, they are extremely common in states at high risk of storm damage, especially states along the Gulf Coast.
Home insurance companies might require you to get a wind mitigation inspection before they’ll let you take out or renew a home insurance policy. Again, this requirement might be in addition to a 4-point inspection or full home inspection.
Even though these inspections aren’t required, homeowners in high-risk areas can still benefit from getting one.
Wind mitigation inspections identify structural weak points in your house that could result in significant damage if your house is hit by a tornado or hurricane. You can implement the findings from your inspection to reduce the damage your home may suffer in a future storm.
Getting a wind mitigation inspection done may also help you land some discounts on your homeowners insurance premiums, especially if you take steps to make your home safer.
MORE: When to walk away after a home inspection
What to expect during a wind mitigation inspection
During a wind mitigation inspection, a certified inspector will assess your home’s structural integrity to determine your risk of seeing severe damage in a strong storm. There are several aspects of your home that will be inspected, including:
The condition of the gable ends
Any openings, like windows, glass doors, wooden doors, and garage doors
The roof’s water resistance
The connections between the roof and walls
The stability of the exterior walls
The overall structure of your home
The stability of any support columns, attachments, or home additions
Reducing your home’s risk after a wind mitigation inspection
If your wind mitigation inspection turns up several structural issues (or you want to get a head start on safety before your inspection), there are several ways you can reduce your home’s risk of wind-related damage.
Water barriers: If your home is at risk for wind damage, you may also be at risk for water damage during a storm. Check your roof for any cracks, leaks, or holes where water could get in.
Replace any damaged shingles and make sure your roof is watertight—this will keep it more airtight, too.
Roof and wall anchoring: If your floors and walls aren’t properly anchored, strong winds can blow them over and cause extensive damage. While having your walls anchored can be expensive, it’s definitely cheaper than rebuilding your whole house!
Gable ends: The gable ends of your roof support the entire weight of your roof structure. They can be under immense pressure during a storm. Inspect your gable ends and reinforce them if necessary.
Window openings: You can swap out your windows and glass doors for shatterproof or hurricane-resistant glass so they can withstand strong winds and damaging storms. You can also install shutters to help block strong winds.
Doorways: Adding wind-resistant doors to your home can give you an added layer of protection against wind damage. You can also reinforce garage doors for more protection.
How to save on homeowners insurance
Even if your insurance company doesn’t require a wind mitigation inspection, it can offer you peace of mind if your home is in an area that sees a lot of strong storms.
You can also get some extra peace of mind with a good home insurance policy—and Jerry
can help you find it. Just download the Jerry app and complete a one-minute sign-up process, then you’ll be on your way to browsing customized home insurance quotes from some of the nation’s top providers.
Once you find one you like, Jerry will help you get your policy switched over without any phone calls, paperwork, or hassle required.
“Jerry
was wonderful! I used it for my auto and renters policies. I trusted it so much that I signed up my homeowners insurance under Jerry as well. All of the agents are amazingly nice and knowledgeable.” —Mary Y.
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