4-Point vs Wind Mitigation — When Do You Need Each?
They're different inspections, with different purposes, and many Florida homeowners need both. The 4-Point gets the policy bound. The Wind Mit reduces the premium. Here's how they compare and why you usually want both done in one visit.
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Written by Lisa Meine, InterNACHI Certified Master Inspector · 11+ years in the field · Last updated May 3, 2026
4-Point vs Wind Mit — Quick Reference
Are they the same form?
No. The 4-Point is carrier-specific (typical layout follows OIR-B1-1802 4-Point format) and covers Roof, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC. The Wind Mitigation is the OIR-B1-1802 form and covers wind-resistant construction features.
Why might I need both?
Florida carriers usually require a 4-Point on homes 25+ years old before binding. Wind Mit is optional — but unlocks insurance discounts. So the 4-Point gets you covered; the Wind Mit lowers the premium.
Should I get them at the same visit?
Yes — most Florida inspectors offer a combo at $125-$225 instead of $75-$150 each separately. Same property visit, two reports, two purposes.
Which one saves money?
Wind Mit. The 4-Point is a yes/no for binding (with no premium discount). The Wind Mit can save $200-$1,500 per year depending on your home.
Different Forms. Different Purposes.
The two most common Florida insurance inspections look similar from the outside but serve very different purposes:
The 4-Point Inspection answers a yes/no question: is this home insurable? The carrier wants to confirm the four major systems (Roof, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC) aren't about to fail. If anything is at end-of-life, the carrier may decline, raise the premium, or require repairs before binding.
The Wind Mitigation Inspection answers a different question: how much should this home's wind premium cost? The form documents construction features that resist hurricane wind damage. Each verified feature unlocks a discount.
One protects the carrier from binding a high-risk home. The other rewards the homeowner for having mitigation features.
When Each Is Required
4-Point — Required by Most Carriers When:
- Home is 25+ years old (some carriers go as young as 20)
- Carrier underwriting requires it for the specific property
- Mobile/manufactured homes (often required regardless of age)
- After a major repair or renovation
Wind Mit — Optional, but Recommended When:
- You want to lower your wind premium
- You suspect the home has hurricane-resistant features (hip roof, impact windows, etc.) that aren't on file
- You're buying a new policy and want maximum discount
- Your previous Wind Mit is expiring (5-year validity)
How They're Priced
Florida inspectors price these similarly because both take roughly 30-45 minutes on site:
- Standalone 4-Point: $75-$150
- Standalone Wind Mit: $75-$150
- Combo (both at one visit): $125-$225 (saves money vs two separate appointments)
The combo discount makes sense for the inspector (only one trip) and the homeowner (only one appointment to coordinate). For older homes that need both, almost everyone does the combo.
How InspectorData Handles Both
InspectorData is built for the combo workflow. Both forms live in the same platform; property header data carries between them so you don't retype anything.
- One job, two reports: Walk the property once, fill both forms in real time on your phone or tablet.
- Photos shared between forms where it makes sense: A roof shot can be tagged for the 4-Point AND for the relevant Wind Mit question.
- Two PDFs at finalize: Each carrier-ready, each branded with your business profile, each emailed to the right destination.
- One inspection visit, doubled value to the homeowner.
4-Point vs Wind Mit by the Numbers
Florida insurance inspection comparison.
Typical 4-Point trigger ageWind Mit has no age requirement.
4-Point premium discountvs $200-$1,500/yr for Wind Mit.
4-Point validityvs 5 years for Wind Mit.
Combo pricing (both forms)vs $150-$300 if done separately.
4-Point vs Wind Mitigation — Side by Side
The full comparison Florida homeowners should know.
Comparison reflects publicly listed features as of May 2026. Specifications change — verify current details on each vendor's site before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just do one or the other?
Yes — but if your home needs a 4-Point for binding, you'd still want the Wind Mit because the savings usually pay for the inspection in the first 6-12 months.
Are the forms ever combined into one?
No — they're separate forms with different governing bodies (4-Point per carrier, Wind Mit per Florida OIR). But most inspectors do them at the same visit.
What if I only need a 4-Point and don't care about discounts?
Get just the 4-Point. But ask your inspector to also do a Wind Mit — most inspectors won't push it, but the savings are usually meaningful enough that it's worth a 30-second conversation with your agent.
Will both forms come from the same inspector?
Most Florida inspectors are qualified to perform both. Confirm before booking — the qualifications differ slightly. A licensed home inspector with hurricane mitigation training can usually do both.
Are the photo requirements similar?
Both forms require photo documentation. The Wind Mit is more strict — photos required for every attribute claimed in questions 2-9. The 4-Point typically wants photos of each system documented.
Can I get both done as a buyer before closing?
Yes — and many real estate contracts now include a Wind Mit alongside the standard inspection contingency. Knowing your insurance cost upfront is valuable for the buying decision.
One Visit. Two Reports. Both Carrier-Ready.
The 4-Point gets the policy bound. The Wind Mit drops the premium. InspectorData powers Florida inspectors who deliver both at one visit, with photos, compliance gates, and PDFs in minutes.
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