Insurance companies analyze risk, and then base their premiums on that risk. There is direct correlation between risk and premium. As the risk goes up so does the premium. That is the reason insurance companies get a driving record check before setting a premium for automobile insurance. Drivers with clean records get lower premiums. The same applies to life insurance. Healthy people with good results from a physical get better rates. It only makes sense then that an insurance company selling a policy that covers wind damage to a home would want to know just how vulnerable the home is to that type of damage. From the homeowner’s perspective, obtaining a favorable windstorm mitigation inspection is like getting a clean bill of health. It means lower premiums. Windstorm mitigation inspections save money.
Home inspectors perform many functions. They identify problems for sellers to fix prior to listing their home for sale. They perform inspections for lenders so they can determine if the home is worthy of the requested mortgage. Buyers are protected by inspections which point out problems that sellers need to fix before closing the sale. For homeowners, windstorm mitigation inspections are the secret to lower insurance premiums. So what do inspectors look for in these types of cases. Once that question is answered, homeowners can take steps to ensure favorable results and lower insurance premiums.
Just like physicals for life insurance policies, companies selling storm protection look for certain items in windstorm mitigation inspections. For example, one area of a home that is susceptible to wind damage is the roof. Specifically, the shingles on a roof are prone to be torn away in a storm. How does a homeowner obtain a favorable report on their shingles? It is all about the method of attachment so the shingles will stay in place in high winds which are normally accompanied by rain. In many cases current building codes require the shingles to be attached in a manner that meets the insurance company’s requirements. For older homes, it is a matter of upgrading the roof to the new standard. As a backup in the event some shingles come loose, another water resistant barrier adds to the protection. The combination of the two layers protects the home and lowers insurance costs. Windstorm mitigation inspections verify that the proper standards are met.
Take a look at your homeowner’s policy. Examine your premium. Are you paying too much for wind coverage? If so, you need to contact a home inspection service that is qualified to perform and has completed and issued many reports concerning the condition of a home. The cost of the inspection will be paid for by lower insurance policy premiums. Prove to your insurance company that your home is windstorm ready. Show that your home is a low risk and thus deserves a lower premium. Make that call and schedule a home inspector to perform a mitigation inspection for wind damage.