A four-point inspection checks a home's roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC so an insurer can decide whether to write the policy; Citizens Property Insurance requires one on homes more than 20 years old, and many private insurers ask for one on older homes too. A wind mitigation inspection documents hurricane-resistant features on the state's form OIR-B1-1802 so you can qualify for windstorm premium discounts; the form can be used for up to five years if nothing material changes. On an older home you will often want both, ordered early in the inspection period.
1. The two inspections side by side
| Four-point inspection | Wind mitigation inspection | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Lets the insurer decide whether the home is insurable | Documents features that can earn windstorm premium discounts |
| What it covers | Roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC | Roof covering, roof deck attachment, roof-to-wall attachment, roof shape, secondary water resistance and opening protection |
| When it is needed | Often required for older homes; Citizens requires it for homes more than 20 years old | Optional, but usually worth it on any home |
| The form | Insurer-accepted four-point form, such as Citizens' form | Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form OIR-B1-1802 |
| How long it is good for | Set by each insurer; ask how recent it must be | Up to five years if no material changes are made and no inaccuracies are found |
Neither one replaces a full home inspection. They are short, insurance-focused reports. See Home Inspection vs. Appraisal for how the full inspection fits in.
2. What a four-point inspection looks for
The inspector documents the age, type and condition of the four systems insurers worry about most. Items that often prompt an insurer to ask questions or require repairs include:
- Roof: age, material and visible damage or leaks. Citizens also needs documentation of at least five years of remaining useful life on shingle roofs older than 25 years and tile or metal roofs older than 50 years. See How Roof Age Affects Buying a Home in Florida.
- Electrical: the panel brand and condition, wiring type, and any obvious hazards. Some older panel brands and wiring types are a common insurer concern.
- Plumbing: pipe material, the water heater's age and condition, and active leaks. Certain older pipe materials are a common concern.
- HVAC: the system's age and whether it is in working order.
A four-point is pass-or-explain, not pass-or-fail by law. Each insurer sets its own rules for what it will accept, so a finding that one company accepts may be a problem for another.
3. How a wind mitigation inspection can lower your premium
Florida Statute 627.0629 requires residential property insurers to offer discounts for features that reduce hurricane losses. The wind mitigation inspection is how you prove those features. The inspector records them on form OIR-B1-1802, which the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) revised effective April 1, 2026.
The form looks at how the roof covering is installed, how the roof deck is attached, how the roof is tied to the walls, whether the roof is hip-shaped, whether there is a secondary water barrier, and whether windows and doors are protected. A home with strong features in several of these areas can see a meaningful drop in the wind portion of the premium.
Only inspectors authorized under Florida Statute 627.711(2)(a) can sign the form, and the OIR encourages consumers to confirm an inspector's qualifications before hiring.
4. When to order them during a purchase
- Ask the seller first. A recent wind mitigation report is often still usable for up to five years. A recent four-point may or may not be accepted, depending on the insurer.
- Book early in the inspection period. Many home inspectors can do the full inspection, four-point and wind mitigation in one visit.
- Send both reports to your insurance agent right away. Get a real quote before your inspection period ends, while you can still negotiate or cancel. See What Happens After Your Offer Is Accepted.
- Negotiate on what the four-point finds. An outdated panel or an aging water heater can become a repair request or a credit.
5. If you are selling an older home
Ordering a four-point and wind mitigation inspection before you list lets you fix insurability problems on your schedule, not the buyer's. Handing buyers a clean wind mitigation report can also make the monthly payment on your home look better than a similar listing without one. See How to Prepare a Tampa Bay Home to Sell.
The state's My Safe Florida Home program, run by the Florida Department of Financial Services, has offered free inspections and matching grants for eligible homeowners. Funding and eligibility change, so check the program's current status.
Common questions
Is a four-point inspection the same as a home inspection?
No. A four-point inspection is a short report on the roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC for an insurance company. A full home inspection looks at the whole property for the buyer.
How old does a home have to be to need a four-point inspection?
It depends on the insurer. Citizens Property Insurance requires one for homes more than 20 years old. Many private insurers have their own age thresholds, so ask your insurance agent.
How long is a wind mitigation inspection good for in Florida?
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation says form OIR-B1-1802 is valid for up to five years, as long as no material changes are made to the structure and no inaccuracies are found.
Is a wind mitigation inspection worth it?
Usually. Florida law requires insurers to offer discounts for qualifying hurricane-mitigation features, and the inspection is how you document them. The savings depend on the home's features and the insurer.
Can my home inspector do the four-point and wind mitigation too?
Often, yes, if they are qualified for each. Wind mitigation forms must be signed by an inspector authorized under Florida Statute 627.711(2)(a).
Official sources & where to verify
- Citizens Property Insurance — Inspections — four-point, roof condition and wind mitigation
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation — Wind Mitigation Resources — form OIR-B1-1802 and inspector guidance
- Florida Statute 627.0629 — required hurricane mitigation discounts
- Florida Statute 627.711 — authorized mitigation inspectors
- My Safe Florida Home — Florida Department of Financial Services program
Links go to government, regulatory or program sources so you can confirm current rules directly. Rules and figures change; the source controls.