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4 Wind Mitigation Insurance Features That Can Save You Money
If you reside in Florida, you’re probably familiar with Wind Mitigation Insurance. Numerous property owners obtain associated inspections to evaluate their homes’ preparedness in resisting the consequences of windstorm damage.
In Florida, homeowners can obtain a discount on their policy if they meet certain criteria. Furthermore, a certified wind inspector must examine the home in order to be eligible for the discounts.
If you’re looking to save money on your insurance, consider including these mitigation features in your home.
1. Hip Roof
The roof is the initial layer that hail, wind, and other hazards actually start to act on. It’s the gateway to superior damage claims once breached. Therefore, the roof is the most significant part of a home when it comes to home insurance.
It’s no wonder roof geometry or shape plays a significant role in homeowner’s premium discount for Florida residents. While hip roofs are more labor-intensive and complicated to build, they’re more resistant during a storm.
Furthermore, they’re more stable and have a decreased likelihood of suffering damage in high winds. This could lead to your insurer issuing a discount on your yearly premium.
Hip roofs look more like shallow pyramids placed above homes without overhang. This roof type slopes toward the ground in every direction and allows gutter installation around the entire roof’s perimeter if you want.
Although they don’t offer as much overhead space, you can install a dormer bedroom or vaulted ceiling if the pitch is sufficiently steep.
2. Protection on Windows and Doors
Opening protection is important because hurricane winds produce wind-borne debris that can go through unprotected doors and windows. When the creation of this opening takes place, the wind pressure increases in your home and could lift the roof off its structure if the installation is inappropriate or if the force is big enough.
Insurers will typically give you a discount if you have hurricane shutters to cover every opening in the event of a looming storm. The shutters can be metal panels, which you’ve fastened in place before a storm, they can be pre-cut and drilled plywood, or they can be certain kinds of door and windows that are built to endure cyclic pressure and the impact of windborne debris.
3. Roof to Wall attachments
Maintaining the roof in your home is vital for preventing wind, water, and hurricane damage. Therefore, you must consider the roof to wall attachments, which are the materials that hold the members of your roof’s framing to your walls.
Bear in mind that the better the connection material or method, the better the discount from a precise inspection report. Your home will need hurricane straps or clips to secure the roof trusses to the wall.
You’ll discover that these increase the roof’s strength to the wall attachment significantly. Previously, this connection occurred by driving numerous nails at an angle through the roof truss and into the wall’s top plate.
You’ll obtain considerable insurance premium savings if you use hurricane straps or clips. The components that play a vital role in hurricane proofing include:
- Connector Straps
These typically produce a tension link between two wooden members. Their major role is to resist any kind of uplift produced by wind and decrease any interference that can arise at the transition points. They’re usually available in stainless steel or galvanized.
- Hurricane ties and clips
Clips and ties produce a sturdy and reinforcing connection between the building wall and roof truss. They’re available in various sizes and will offer notable wind resistance.
4. Water barriers
A sealed roof deck helps prevent considerable water intrusion in the event that a hurricane blows away pieces of your roof covering. They also offer extra insulation and increase your home’s energy efficiency.
Final Thoughts
While you can obtain savings from mitigation, this is dependent on the features your home has, your insurer, and the location of your home. Therefore, it’s important you consult your agent and establish the amount you can save and ensure you’ve prepared your home for the next big storm.