They sound alike and do opposite jobs. One can hold an application up. The other can bring a premium down.
The 4-Point Inspection Answers "Will They Write It?"
A four-point inspection looks at four systems: roofing, electrical, plumbing and heating and air conditioning. The report describes the condition of each one so a carrier can judge whether the house is likely to produce a claim.
Whether a carrier asks for one depends on its own underwriting rules, which vary from company to company. It is an underwriting document, not a full home inspection and not a code inspection.
The Wind Mitigation Inspection Answers "What Credit Does It Earn?"
A wind mitigation inspection documents the construction features that help a home resist windstorm damage. The law names wind uplift prevention, roof strength, roof covering performance, roof-to-wall strength, wall-to-floor-to-foundation strength, opening protection, and window, door and skylight strength.
Under s. 627.0629, Florida Statutes, residential property rate filings must include actuarially reasonable discounts, credits or other rate differentials for windstorm mitigation features. The inspection is how your home's features get documented for the credits the law requires carriers to file, and since October 1, 2023 each insurer must describe its hurricane mitigation discounts on its website. There is no failing the inspection: a home with no qualifying features simply earns no credit.
