Save money on your wind insurance premiums
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
Wind Insurance
If you live on Anna Maria Island and you have a home built prior to 2002 there is a good chance that you are paying way more than you need to on wind insurance. Due to Anna Maria Island being in a wind zone most builders used methods to lower the risk of wind damage when constructing homes. Just yesterday I visited a home built prior to 1965 and the home was eligible for at least a 25% reduction on their wind insurance.
Lets first discuss the details of what an Anna Maria Island, Sarasota, Longboat Key or Bradenton home owner should look for. First thing is to review the openings in your home. Have the windows and doors been updated since the home was constructed? If so, there is a good chance the wind rating on your openings are much improved compared to the rating the wind insurance company has used when calculating your wind insurance premium. There are a few more details that can help your wind insurance premium, is your under-layment for your roof plywood and secured with 8d nails? Do you have a newer roof with secondary underlayment and a hip or gable roof? If yes you are probably eligible for a insurance discount.
Lastly, the most important search of all. Go up to your home’s attic where you
Clips = Discount
can see the rafters. Review how your roof rafters are tied into the walls of your home. If you can see metal clips that are nailed into the rafter better tying the rafter to the exterior wall then you have a very high chance you are eligible for a wind insurance discount! See diagram to the right.
Unfortunately you cannot just fill out a form and send it to your insurance agent and expect your discount. However, it is still pretty easy. Call a wind mitigation expert and they will come out and in a half an hour the wind construction expert will have everything they need to send in a report for your property. I have a great contact that will guarantee a discount on your wind insurance after their inspection or the $100 inspection fee will be waived. Just contact me for additional information.
So, climb up in your roof and check for tie straps. If you have tie straps contact me for a wind mitigation expert and lets get your wind insurance reduced. One other aid is the State of Florida wind survey that helps give you a guide of how much you could save on wind insurance.
