The short answer (September 2026): A 4-point inspection reports the roof, electrical, plumbing and heating/cooling so an insurer can decide whether to write an older home. A wind mitigation inspection records wind-resistant features on Florida form OIR-B1-1802 for possible premium discounts, valid up to five years. A roof certification documents the roof’s condition and remaining useful life.
They are three different reports, with different forms and, in one case, a different list of people allowed to sign. A roof-only report does not replace the other two. This guide compares them side by side so you can ask your insurer or agent the right question before anyone books a visit. It is general information, not insurance advice: your insurer’s written request decides which report you need.
The three reports side by side
| 4-point inspection | Wind mitigation inspection | Roof certification (roof condition report) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The question it answers | Are the home’s four major systems in acceptable condition to insure? | Which wind-resistant construction features does the home have? | What condition is the roof in, and how many years of useful life remain? |
| Who usually asks | Insurers underwriting older homes. Citizens requires one for property owner, dwelling and mobile home applications on properties more than 20 years old [1] | You, to claim wind mitigation discounts. Since July 1, 2008, admitted insurers must accept a valid form completed and signed by a qualified licensee [2] | Insurers checking an older roof. Citizens requires documentation of at least five years of remaining useful life for shingle roofs over 25 years old and tile, slate, clay, concrete or metal roofs over 50 [1] |
| What it covers | Roof, electrical, plumbing and heating/cooling (HVAC), with photos of each side of the house, each roof slope, the water heater and the electrical panel [3] | Building code year, region, roof slope, roof covering, roof deck attachment, roof-to-wall attachment, roof shape, sealed roof deck or secondary water resistance, and opening protection [4] | Roof covering, age, remaining useful life, date of the last roofing permit, overall condition and visible damage or leaks, with photos of each slope [5] |
| The form | No single state form. Citizens publishes a sample 4-Point Inspection Form; other reports must include at least the same level of detail [3] | OIR-B1-1802, the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, adopted by rule. The current version took effect April 1, 2026 [4][6] | No single state form. Citizens publishes a sample Roof Inspection Form (RCF-1) [5] |
| How long it is good for | Set by each insurer. Citizens: dated within the 12 months before a new-business application [7] | Up to five years, provided no material changes are made to the structure and no inaccuracies are found on the form [4][6] | Set by each insurer. Neither Citizens’ inspection page nor its form states a period, so ask |
| Who may sign | Citizens: “a verifiable Florida-licensed inspector” [3] | Only the licensees listed in s. 627.711(2): a licensed home inspector with hurricane mitigation training, a certified building code inspector, a licensed general, building or residential contractor, a professional engineer, a professional architect, or another person the insurer recognizes as qualified [4][8] | Citizens’ form: a general, residential, building or roofing contractor, a building code inspector or a Florida-licensed home inspector [5]. For the statutory roof-age inspection, an insurer-approved authorized inspector, which includes roofing contractors [9] |
The 4-point inspection
A 4-point inspection is an underwriting report. The insurer uses it to decide whether it will write or keep the policy, not to set a discount. Citizens’ form says the information “is used to determine insurability and is not a warranty or assurance of the suitability, fitness or longevity” of the systems inspected [3].
What it looks at, on Citizens’ sample form [3]:
- Electrical: panel type and amperage, wiring type (including cloth, knob-and-tube and aluminum branch wiring) and hazards such as double taps, exposed wiring or scorching.
- HVAC: central air and heat, whether the systems are in good working order, the date of the last service and any signs of leakage at the air handler.
- Plumbing: the water heater’s temperature and pressure relief valve, active or prior leaks, fixture condition, pipe types and the age of the supply and drain piping.
- Roof: the same roof questions as the roof certification. With photos of each roof slope, Citizens says this section “can take the place of the Roof Inspection Form” [3].
Citizens asks that serious hazards or deficiencies, such as exposed wiring, active leaks or evidence of leaks, be repaired before an application is submitted [1]. Other insurers set their own age thresholds and rules, so ask your agent what yours requires.
The wind mitigation inspection (OIR-B1-1802)
The wind mitigation form records construction features that reduce hurricane damage. Insurers use it to apply wind mitigation discounts. It does not grade condition, and a discount is never guaranteed.
The April 2026 version of OIR-B1-1802 asks nine questions: the Florida Building Code version the home was built under, its wind region, roof slope, roof covering (by permit date or Florida or Miami-Dade product approval number), roof deck attachment, roof-to-wall attachment, roof geometry, sealed roof deck or secondary water resistance, and opening protection [4]. At least one photograph or document must accompany the form to validate each attribute marked in questions 2 through 9 [4].
Three points people miss:
- The five years assume nothing has changed. The form is valid for up to five years “provided no material changes have been made to the structure” [4]. A new roof can change the answers on roof covering, deck attachment and secondary water resistance, so after a re-roof ask your agent whether an updated form would record new features.
- Not every licensed professional may sign it. Section 627.711(2) lists who may sign [8]. Roofing contractors are not one of the listed license categories; general, building and residential contractors are, as is “any other individual or entity recognized by the insurer” [4]. Check the inspector’s license type against the form before you book.
- False forms are a crime. Knowingly providing a false or fraudulent mitigation verification form to obtain a discount is a first-degree misdemeanor [4][8].
The My Safe Florida Home program offers free wind mitigation inspections to eligible homeowners; eligibility includes a site-built, owner-occupied single-family home with a homestead exemption [10][11].
The roof certification
“Roof certification” is the everyday name for a roof condition report: an inspection that states the roof’s type, age, condition and remaining useful life. Insurers ask for one when a roof is older than they would otherwise accept.
- Citizens’ rule: shingle and similar roofs older than 25 years, and tile, slate, clay, concrete or metal roofs older than 50 years, need documentation showing at least five years of remaining useful life. If the roof has less than five years left, Citizens requires proof of a full roof replacement before a policy is written [1].
- Florida’s roof-age law: for homeowners’ policies, an insurer may not refuse to issue or renew solely because of roof age when the roof is under 15 years old. At 15 or older, the insurer must allow an inspection by an insurer-approved authorized inspector, at the homeowner’s expense, before requiring replacement, and may not refuse solely because of age if that inspection shows five or more years of useful life remaining [9]. Other underwriting rules still apply [9].
- How roof age is counted: from the last date 100% of the roof’s surface was built or replaced to the code in effect at the time [9]. The permit record is the usual evidence.
The roof certification does not verify wind mitigation features. Citizens’ roof form says so directly and points to OIR-B1-1802 [5]. Our guides on how old a roof can be for insurance in Florida and how long a roof lasts in Florida cover the roof-age rules in more detail.
Which one do you need?
| Your situation | Usually asked for | Ask your insurer or agent |
|---|---|---|
| Buying or insuring an older home | 4-point, sometimes with a roof certification | The age threshold, the form and how recent the report must be |
| Renewal letter about the roof’s age | Roof certification | Which inspectors it approves and the deadline |
| Wanting lower wind premiums | Wind mitigation (OIR-B1-1802) | Which discounts apply and whether it has your current form on file |
| Just replaced the roof | Updated wind mitigation, proof of replacement | Whether it needs the permit, the final inspection or a new form |
Buying or selling a home? Our guide to roof certification in a home sale covers timing before closing. If your insurer has told you it will not renew because of the roof, our guide to the next 30 days after a roof-related nonrenewal walks through the steps.
Where Perkins fits
Perkins documents roof condition in a photographed roof insurance inspection from the Miami and Jupiter offices. Before booking, confirm with your insurer which form it wants and that it accepts the inspector, then confirm with Perkins which reports it can prepare for your property. Your insurer decides coverage, eligibility and discounts.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 4-point inspection the same as a wind mitigation inspection? No. A 4-point inspection reports the condition of the roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC for underwriting. A wind mitigation inspection records wind-resistant construction features on form OIR-B1-1802 for possible premium discounts.
How long is a wind mitigation inspection good for in Florida? Form OIR-B1-1802 is valid for up to five years, provided no material changes have been made to the structure and no inaccuracies are found on the form.
How recent does a 4-point inspection have to be? Each insurer sets its own rule. Citizens Property Insurance requires the 4-point report to be dated within the 12 months before a new-business application.
Can a roofing contractor sign a wind mitigation form? Section 627.711(2) lists who may sign: licensed home inspectors with hurricane mitigation training, building code inspectors, general, building or residential contractors, engineers, architects, and others the insurer recognizes as qualified. Roofing contractors are not a listed category, so check with your insurer.
Who can do a roof certification for insurance? For the Florida roof-age inspection, an inspector your insurer approves who is a licensed home inspector, a certified building code inspector, a licensed general, building, residential or roofing contractor, an engineer, an architect, or someone else your insurer recognizes as qualified.
Does a 4-point inspection include the roof certification? It can at Citizens: with photos of each roof slope, the roof section of Citizens’ 4-point form can take the place of its separate Roof Inspection Form. Other insurers may differ.
Does a good wind mitigation report guarantee a discount? No. The report documents features; your insurer applies its filed discounts to them. Ask your agent which discounts your policy offers.
Next step
For every roof requirement in one place (roof age, Citizens’ rules, the 4-point roof section and the wind mitigation roof questions), see roof requirements for homeowners insurance in Florida.
If your insurer has asked about the roof, have its written request in hand and request a roof inspection from the Miami or Jupiter office. If the report points toward a replacement, the roof calculator gives a rough estimate (not a quote) from aerial measurements before anyone visits.
This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Your insurer’s written requirements and your policy control. Forms, statutes and Citizens’ rules were checked on September 23, 2026.
Sources
- Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, “Inspections” (four-point, older roofs, wind mitigation). https://www.citizensfla.com/inspections
- Florida Department of Financial Services, “Mitigation Notices, Inspections and Forms.” https://myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers/storm/mitigation-notices-inspections-and-forms
- Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, sample 4-Point Inspection Form (Insp4pt 03 25). https://www.citizensfla.com/documents/20702/48575/4-Point+Inspection+Form.pdf
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form OIR-B1-1802 (Rev. 04/26), adopted by Rule 69O-170.0155, F.A.C. https://floir.gov/docs-sf/property-casualty-libraries/product-review/all-forms/form-oir-1802-adopted-version-(no-watermark).pdf
- Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, sample Roof Inspection Form (RCF-1 03 25). https://www.citizensfla.com/documents/20702/48575/Roof+Inspection+Form.pdf
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, “Wind Mitigation Resources.” https://floir.gov/consumers/wind-mitigation-resources/
- Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, “What is the acceptable age of a four-point inspection report?” (answer 3251, updated May 20, 2026). https://securesupport.citizensfla.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3251/
- Section 627.711, Florida Statutes (2026) — Notice of premium discounts for hurricane loss mitigation; uniform mitigation verification inspection form. https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/627.711
- Section 627.7011, Florida Statutes (2026) — Homeowners’ policies; roof age, subsections (5) and (6). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/627.7011
- Section 215.5586, Florida Statutes (2026) — My Safe Florida Home Program. https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/215.5586
- My Safe Florida Home, Florida Department of Financial Services. https://mysafeflhome.com/