Florida Insurance & Inspection Guide
Florida 4-Point vs. Wind Mitigation vs. Home Inspection: What Buyers Should Know
Reviewed by Vincenzo Longo, REALTOR® · Last reviewed 2026-08-27
The short answer
These inspections are not interchangeable. A general home inspection evaluates the property's condition for the buyer. A four-point inspection focuses on roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC information that insurers commonly use when underwriting older homes. A wind mitigation inspection documents qualifying construction features that may affect windstorm premium credits. A buyer may need more than one because each answers a different question.
Key takeaways
- Do not assume a general inspection satisfies an insurer's four-point requirement.
- A four-point report focuses on four major systems; it is not a complete home inspection.
- Wind mitigation documents hurricane-resistance features and potential insurance credits.
- Ask the insurance agent what reports are needed for the exact property before due diligence expires.
- Roof age and condition can matter across the inspection, insurance and negotiation process.
Start with the purpose of each inspection
In Tampa Bay transactions, buyers sometimes hear 'inspection' and assume one report covers everything. It does not. I treat the general home inspection as buyer due diligence, then coordinate early with the insurance professional to learn whether a four-point or wind mitigation report is also needed.
The useful question is not which inspection is best. It is which questions must be answered for this property, this insurer and this buyer before the contract becomes harder to change.
What a four-point inspection is for
Florida's Department of Financial Services describes the four-point inspection as an overview of the roofing, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems that homeowners insurers commonly require when issuing or renewing a policy on an older home.
Because underwriting rules belong to the insurer, a buyer should not assume that passing a home inspection guarantees insurance eligibility.
What wind mitigation is for
A wind mitigation inspection documents features that can qualify a home for hurricane-loss mitigation credits. The inspector uses Florida's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form and documents qualifying construction features.
As of April 1, 2026, Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation requires the revised OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26) form for these inspections. The insurer determines the credits that apply to the policy.
How I use the reports during buyer due diligence
My goal is to get insurance-sensitive questions out of the way early. If the roof, electrical panel, plumbing or HVAC creates an underwriting concern, the buyer needs enough time to obtain professional answers and decide whether the cost or risk changes the purchase decision.
The reports can also help frame repair requests or negotiations, but the right response depends on the contract, property condition, insurance options and the buyer's priorities. I do not treat an inspection finding as an automatic demand for a dollar-for-dollar credit.
Frequently asked questions
Is a four-point inspection the same as a home inspection?
No. A four-point inspection focuses on roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC information commonly used by insurers. A general home inspection is broader buyer due diligence on the property's condition.
Is a wind mitigation inspection required to buy a Florida home?
Not in every purchase. It is commonly used to document features that may qualify for windstorm insurance credits. Ask the insurance professional what is appropriate for the specific property and policy.
Can I need all three inspections?
Yes. Because the reports serve different purposes, a buyer may have a general home inspection plus insurer-requested four-point and wind mitigation reports.
When should I order insurance-related inspections?
Early enough in the contract period that the insurer can review the property and the buyer still has time to respond to any material issue.
Primary sources
First-party sources used for factual regulatory, insurance, permitting or lending guidance.