ARA Offers Certification Service to Florida Homeowners

The 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season is now underway and, with many experts predicting a particularly active season for Florida in 2005, ARA scientists are helping residents there identify ways to keep their property safe during a storm while saving money on homeowners insurance through the company’s wind certification service.

ARA’s IntraRisk Division, a leader in performing detailed evaluations of buildings for wind mitigation construction features, has developed detailed inspection methods for the State of Florida’s Residential Construction Mitigation Program. Division personnel have been performing insurance wind mitigation inspections there since 2000. They have completed more than 15,000 certifications to date and will likely see an increase in demand for their services this year thanks to new hurricane-related legislation.

A 2002 Florida statute required all insurance companies to provide discounts on the hurricane wind portion of insurance premiums for wind resistant features found on many homes, however, little was done to advise homeowners of the discounts. Newly enacted legislation, which is expected to be signed into law soon by Governor Bush, will require insurance companies to clearly notify policy holders of the availability and amount of premium discounts beginning no later than October 1, 2005. 

Bill York, of IntraRisk’s Orlando, FL office, estimates that less than one percent of all Florida homeowners are currently receiving proper discounts. More than 98 percent of homes that IntraRisk inspected in 2004 qualified for at least one discount and 60 percent qualified for three or more discounts. The available discounts add up to 42 percent of the hurricane wind portion of insurance premiums.

To receive discounts, insurance companies require documentation be completed by a design professional, building inspector or certified inspector who evaluates the home to determine the presence of wind resistant features. In addition to shutters and impact rated glass, discounts are offered for roof-to-wall connections, roof deck fastening, Florida Building Code equivalent roof covering and hip roof shape.

“Discounts received in the first year often exceed the inspection fee, and savings accrue each subsequent year of the policy,” said Bill. “Homeowners should expect to pay about a $150 inspection fee for a home under 5,000 square feet.”

The inspection also gives homeowners the opportunity to discover what construction features can be added to their home to keep their property safe during a hurricane or storm.