[Wingcity]

Hi! I live in Miami Florida and I've heard quite a lot of horror stories about residents paying for windstorm inspections but only getting unqualified inspectors in their homes. I really don't want to get scammed like that. So is there a way of making sure that the inspector I'll be getting is legit and qualified? Can anyone share a good and informational website where I could research the topic more thoroughly? Thanks!

[TampaKaren]

The state sponsored program expired on 6/30/09. However, the following still contains useful information including qualified wind mitigation inspectors at My Safe Florida Home

[FLBob]

One of the benefits to obtaining a wind mitigation inspection is a reduction in your wind storm premium.
Assuming that you have storm shutters, truss straps, secondary water barrier, hip roof etc.
I received a $500 rebate check from my insurance carrier after my home was inspected.
Contact your insurance agent, they know who is submitting wind mitigation reports and can provide you a name or two.
If your wind mitigation inspector is also a GC you could ask for suggestions on ways to harden your home further, since what you really want is to survive a wind event with little or no damage.

[imagardener]

I agree with FL Bob, ask your insurance agent. The first one inspection we got (don't remember how we got the name) they charged $125 and did a lousy report, got stuff wrong and we didn't get all the credits we deserved.

Due to State Farms's price gouging we searched for another insurer, got a new inspection after re-shingling and wrapping our roof, paid $45 to a different inspector referred by our new insurance agent and saved $400 on top of the savings from switching out of State Farm. All told we saved $800 plus on HO insurance. We also switched car insurance at the same time and save a significant amount on it also.

It's worth the trouble when you save major money. And you only have to do it once (unless you get a bad inspection, THEN you have to do it twice, lol)