Seminole County saves on Homeowners Insurance with Wind Mitigation

 

Wind Mitigation Inspection: A Smart Way to Save Money on Your Home Insurance

Homeowners in Seminole or Volusia Counties of Central Florida may be eligible for a significant discount on their home insurance premium. How? By getting a wind mitigation inspection from First Choice Home Inspections.

A wind mitigation inspection is an examination of your home's protective features that can reduce the damage caused by strong winds, such as hurricanes. These features include the type and age of your roof, the way your roof is attached to the walls, the type and spacing of the nails used to secure the roof sheathing, the type of underlayment that protects the roof sheathing, and the type and quality of the openings, such as windows, doors, skylights, and garage doors.



Insurance companies are required by law to offer discounts to homeowners who have these wind-resistant features in their homes. The wind credit discounts can range from 10% to 70% depending; on the level of protection your home already has. The only way to get these discounts is by having a certified wind mitigation inspector provide a report that verifies your home's features.

Wind Mitigation Inspector in Seminole and Volusia Counties

That's where First Choice Home Inspections comes in. We are a licensed and insured home inspection company that offers wind mitigation inspections in Seminole and Volusia Counties. Our inspectors are trained and experienced in identifying and documenting the wind mitigation features of your home. We use state-of-the-art equipment and software to produce a detailed and accurate report that you will submit to your insurance company.

Our wind mitigation inspection takes about 45 minutes to complete and costs $150.00. It can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your home insurance premium every year. It can also give you peace of mind knowing that your home is better prepared for severe weather events.

Don't let the insurance companies charge you more than you need to pay. Contact First Choice Home Inspections today at (386) 624-3893 to schedule your wind mitigation inspection and start saving money on your home insurance.

 

Frank Carr, Florida Licensed Home
Inspector

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn

Wind Mitigation - Seminole County Saves money on Insurance Premiums

 

Who is eligible for a wind mitigation inspection discount?

The State of Florida requires all insurance companies to offer wind mitigation discounts to Florida homeowners.  Wind insurance credits are obtainable on the building features that reduce damage during high winds on all single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and commercial buildings. Many existing structures have one or more of the wind-resistivity construction features already. Homeowners, as well as condominium associations, qualify for wind mitigation credits.

 

How do I save money?

The State of Florida requires insurance companies to offer reduced rates for certain wind mitigation features. A wind mitigation inspection must be performed by a certified wind mitigation inspector; Home Inspector, Building Code Inspector, an engineer, an architect, or any other individual that holds the necessary qualifications as described by Florida Statues.  A wind mitigation inspector will document features of your home on the required OIR-B1-1802 Wind Mitigation form and take photographs of them, which when applied to your insurance policy will decrease the cost of your homeowner’s insurance.

 

How much money can I save with a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

Wind mitigation features are mandated by state law and can total 45 percent of the original windstorm policy’s premium.  Insurance companies are required to offer discounts for features that qualify for wind storm credits.  A Wind Mitigation Inspection can save you as much as $1,260 on a homeowner’s insurance policy of $2,800.

 

How much does a wind mitigation inspection cost in Florida?

The cost of Wind Mitigation Inspections varies by region in Florida.  Orlando Wind Mitigation Inspection costs average $200.  Miami costs are around $225 while the cost of North and Central Florida remains between $150 and $200.  A wind mitigation certificate is good for five years.  Once you have your Wind Mitigation Certificate it will reduce your premium and save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars each year.

 

How do I schedule a wind mitigation inspection in Central Florida?

Call for Insurance Inspection Quotes at 386-624-3893.  For more information Seminole County Wind Mitigation .

Frank Carr, Florida Licensed Home
Inspector

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn
E-Mail:  home.inspections@aol.com

 

Wind Mitigation Inspections Saves Lake Mary Homeowners Money on Insurance Premiums

 

Who is eligible for a wind mitigation inspection discount?

The State of Florida requires all insurance companies to offer wind mitigation discounts to Florida homeowners.  Wind insurance credits are obtainable on the building features that reduce damage during high winds on all single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and commercial buildings. Many existing structures have one or more of the wind-resistive construction features already. Homeowners, as well as condominium associations, qualify for wind mitigation credits.

 

How do I save money?

The State of Florida requires insurance companies to offer reduced rates for certain wind mitigation features. A wind mitigation inspection must be performed by a certified wind mitigation inspector; Home Inspector, Building Code Inspector, an engineer, an architect, or any other individual that holds the necessary qualifications as described by Florida Statues.  A wind mitigation inspector will document features of your home on the required OIR-B1-1802 Wind Mitigation form and take photographs of them, which when applied to your insurance policy will decrease the cost of your homeowner’s insurance.

 

How much money can I save with a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

Wind mitigation features are mandated by state law and can total 45 percent of the original windstorm policy’s premium.  Insurance companies are required to offer discounts for features that qualify for wind storm credits.  A Wind Mitigation Inspection can save you as much as $1,260 on a homeowner’s insurance policy of $2,800.

 

How much does a wind mitigation inspection cost in Florida?

The cost of Wind Mitigation Inspections varies by region in Florida.  Orlando Wind Mitigation Inspection costs average $200.  Miami costs are around $225 while the cost of North and Central Florida remains between $150 and $200.  A wind mitigation certificate is good for five years.  Once you have your Wind Mitigation Certificate it will reduce your premium and save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars each year.

 

How do I schedule a wind mitigation inspection in Central Florida?

Call for Insurance Inspection Quotes at 386-624-3893.  For more information Wind Mitigation (1homeinspector.com)

Frank Carr, Florida Licensed Home
Inspector

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/+FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsDeltona

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn

 

Seminole County Home Fires Caused by Dryers!

Not Cleaning the Clothes Dryer and Duct is the Major Cause of Lake Mary Dryer Fires!

Modern home appliances are safer today than they were just a decade ago, but the amount of fires has not decreased. Failure to clean the dryer and ducts accounts for more than 34 percent of the dryer fires in the United States. This is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires. Other causes include manufacturing defects and poor installation. Foreign manufacturing and foreign component suppliers are another cause. Increasing quality issues are associated with the extremely rapid growth of fires connected with appliances. More home clothes dryer fires occur in the fall and winter months and peak in January. 

 

You should check your dryers and appliances out for manufacturer defects and recalls at https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls .

 

What Type of Dryer is Your Home Designed for?

The dryer manufacturers set limits of the length and type of duct that can be used with their dryers. These limits are based on the type of equipment installed in the dryer. Damp lint requires a certain volume of air to move it through the ducts. Homeowners will often select a dryer and make it fit their house. Some dryers are designed with larger motors and fans to move the lint farther.  Economy or inexpensive dryers often have the smallest motors and fans. All dryers are not created equal.  

 

Duct Design Limits The Length and Orientation.

The type of duct material, vent hood, the number of turns the duct and orientation, horizontal or vertical affect the length of the duct.  Below is the dryer manufacturers' requirement based on the model of dryer.

If your dryer is not listed consult your owners manual or look it up online.

Ducts should have no mechanical fasteners.

The type of material used for the duct is very important in venting lint and moisture. Each 90-degree turn decreases the length of the duct by 5 feet. The use of a flat hood decreases the length by half. Using flexible vent ducts also cuts the length by half.  Rigid metal ducts are required to be taped at the joints and not fastened by screws.  The screw shank protruding into the duct creates and place for lint to accumulate. 

 

 

 

 

Flexible and vinyl ducts are not allowed

because they collect lint and are a fire hazard!

Homeowners often choose flexible metal or vinyl duct for their ease of installation. These types of ducts are not allowed for use on a dryer in many areas due to the fire hazard. Flexible ducts have many areas for lint to accumulate within the duct. Vinyl and PVC when heated create an electrostatic charge that attracts lint, these are not allowed.  Most municipalities and building codes require rigid metal ducts without mechanical fasteners. These rigid ducts have fewer areas to collect lint and obstruct the airflow.

 

Clogged gooseneck dryer vent on the roof.

 

 

Gooseneck dryer vent hoods are often clogged due to the location on the roof. The homeowners are either unaware of them or just forget about them until they become a problem. Most of these types of vents we inspect are clogged. Many of these types of vent hoods when clogged cause the duct to separate in the attic. Damaged ducts pump moisture and lint into the attic causing moisture damage, wood rot and mold growth. Gooseneck hoods because of their location on the roof should be scheduled for yearly inspection, Sanford Home Inspection, and cleaning by a professional. 

 

 

 

Annual Dryer Duct Inspection and Cleaning

All dryer ducts should be inspected and cleaned yearly. Check with your Home Inspector when you buy your home. A dryer duct inspection may reveal improper installation or materials. If you have a larger family and use the dryer daily or more often, your ducts may require semi-annual cleaning. Less frequent use may only require biennial cleaning.  Protect your family and sleep soundly at night.  Have your ducts inspected and cleaned in the fall when you change your smoke detector batteries. 

Frank Carr, Florida Licensed Home
Inspector

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/+FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsDeltona

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn