2. How do I request an inspection?
Homeowners can apply online for a
free wind
inspection or by calling the Department’s
toll-free My Safe Florida Home helpline at 1-866-513-6734.
3. Whom can I use to do an
inspection?
The Department of Financial Services will have a qualified
inspection firm or inspector call you to schedule your free
inspection. The law requires the Department to assemble a
group of qualified inspectors who have undergone background
checks.
4. What will the inspection
report tell me?
The law specifies that the inspection report must:
Outline improvements that
may be made to your home to increase resistance to
hurricane wind damage.
Provide an estimate of how much each improvement would
cost to complete.
Provide an estimate of insurance discounts that may be
available. (If you provided insurance information at the
time you applied.)
Offer a hurricane resistance rating that shows the
home’s current ability, and future ability with
improvements, to withstand hurricanes.
5. Is my application information or
inspection report a public record?
Yes. With the exception of the insurance information you
provide at the time you apply for an inspection, the
information on your application and in your inspection
report is considered public information and available upon
request.
6. Will my inspection report be
automatically sent to my insurance company?
No. Your inspection report is sent directly to you.
7. How do I get the form for
insurance discounts or credits?
If you provided insurance information at the time you
applied for an inspection and you are eligible for an
insurance discount or credit based on the inspection of your
home, you will receive a mitigation form completed and
signed by the MSFH-approved inspector who conducted your
free wind inspection.
Click here to
see the sample mitigation form and learn more.
Also, you can contact your insurance agent or company to
obtain more information about mitigation discounts and
credits.
8. How do I get a correction made on my inspection
report?
Please call our toll free number, 1-866-513-6734. A
specialist will take the information. Documentation may be
required to make the necessary change(s). You may also need
to have another inspection so that these changes can be
verified by the Department.
9. My home was inspected
by one of the inspection firms that was non-renewed. Will
you be able to make corrections to my inspection report?
Yes. We have implemented a transition plan with those
inspection firms. The inspection firm paid by the MSFH
program to inspect your home will be responsible for
responding to issues related to your inspection.
10. Does obtaining a free
inspection obligate me to make any repairs or upgrades to my
residence?
No, it does not.
11. I have a contract in place
to have mitigation repairs done on my house and will cancel
it if there is a chance I will get a grant.
Canceling a current contract may be costly to you. Matching
grant funds are available only for certain improvements and
must be completed by a contractor that has been approved as
a My Safe Florida Home participating contractor. Grant funds
are only guaranteed if you apply for a grant and receive
approval for a grant by the Department.
12. What improvements are
eligible for a grant?
Grant funds are only available when the following
improvements are made and recommended in your inspection
report:
• Protecting openings
(windows, gable vents and skylights)
• Protecting exterior doors
• Replacing your garage door with an impact-resistant
garage door
• Bracing gable ends in your roof
If you choose to protect your
openings, but can’t afford to do everything, you must
complete an improvement category:
1. If you choose to
protect your windows, you must protect all windows. This
includes gable vents.
2. If you choose to protect your exterior doors,
including sliding glass doors, you must protect all
exterior doors.
3. Replacing your garage door with an impact-resistant
door or bracing an already hurricane-rated garage door
to make it impact-resistant is a stand-alone item.
4. Replacing skylights with an impact-rated skylight is
a stand-alone item.
NOTE: If bracing of gable ends is not identified by
the Department’s wind inspection, but is identified as
necessary by a participating contractor, the Department
will disburse funds for bracing gable ends with physical
proof, such as photographs or video, a copy of the
building permit when applicable to do this improvement
and upon re-inspection by the Department.
13. Can I make the improvements myself and get reimbursed under
an approved grant?
No. Florida law requires homeowners to use a
participating contractor
with the MSFH program.
14. I can’t afford to make repairs
on my own. Someone mentioned there may be a program for
low-income residents. How do I find out about that?
The My Safe Florida Home program is working with
local
governments and the Volunteer Florida
Foundation to offer
low-income
homeowners an
opportunity to strengthen their homes against natural
disasters without out-of-pocket expenses. Low-income
homeowners can also apply directly with the My Safe Florida
Home program for a non-matching grant, but the homeowner
will have to pay the contractor before being reimbursed.
15. How much should I expect to
save on my insurance premium if I get some of this work
done?
Your wind inspection report will give you an estimate of the
discounts you might receive on the wind-portion of your
homeowners insurance premium. Savings will vary depending on
the improvements you make.
Please contact your insurance agent or company for specific
information on discounts.
16. What if the program runs
out of money before I get my inspection?
The Legislature has allocated $250 million for this program.
As of October 1, 2007, $98.5 million has been spent or
encumbered for inspection services and grants.
17. Can I get another
inspection report and/or inspection to reflect improvements
I made based on the original inspection?
Under Florida law, the My Safe Florida Home program is
required to perform one inspection per property unless it is
being re-inspected for quality assurance. As a result, we
are not able to perform a second inspection of your home.
The inspection firms on contract with the program can
perform a re-inspection for $150 if you choose to pursue
this option.
18. I currently have hurricane-rated removable
shutters so my report does not have window protection as an
option. However, I am unable to deploy my shutters because
of my age or because of a medical condition. Can I apply
for a grant to upgrade my shutters to a permanently attached
option?
Yes, but you must
submit a letter from your physician, on his/her office
letterhead, documenting the medical necessity for the
upgrade. For more information, click on the following link
MEDICAL
EXEMPTION INFORMATION.
