I recently had the inspection for my 1972 Cape Coral home completed. I failed. The good news is there is help and a fund in Florida to mostly pay for shutters for my windows. What a great opportunity. By getting the shutters my insurance will go down. This is a win, win.
The potential savings is good in Florida, where homeowners can earn credits for strengthening their dwellings against hurricanes, through the My Safe Florida Home program. (Go to mysafefloridahome.com or 1-866-513-6734.) The program offers wind inspections by qualified hurricane mitigation specialists — free for qualified homeowners. Any suggested improvements must be completed by a program-approved contractor and state law requires insurers to extend credits to homeowners who take recommended steps to mitigate wind damage.
Some people have had some significant savings based on credits, even those who don’t qualify for the free inspection,” said John Pollack, president of the Fort Myers independent insurance agency, Oswald Trippe and Co. “Obviously, the more current you’ve bought your home to resist hurricane winds, an insurance company is going to look at that home as a better risk and adjust your premium accordingly.”
Those who have recently made home improvements or upgrades to their property may benefit by asking whether they’re eligible for credits. A renovated house credit, for example, is available through Chubb for homes that have been renovated in the last 10 years. Those eligible to take advantage of that credit may shave off as much as 10 percent from their premium if the renovation occurred in the last year.