6.24.2008: Procrastinators Take Note

Procrastinators take note: If clients want a free hurricane home inspection courtesy of the State of Florida, sign up now. Most homeowners save money on property insurance following an inspection, but the program will achieve its goals and probably stop taking new applications later this summer.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink announced that more than 365,000 Florida homeowners have signed up for free wind inspections through the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program, only 35,000 inspections shy of the Florida Legislature’s goal of 400,000 free wind inspections by June 2009. The first-come, first-serve program will continue accepting applications online and over the phone until it meets the 400,000 application goal.

Participating homeowners receive a free wind inspection report, which suggests ways homeowners can harden their homes against storm damage and informs homeowners if they are eligible to save money on their wind insurance premiums. To date, 60 percent of homeowners who have received a free wind inspection are eligible for discounts on their wind insurance premiums averaging $220 statewide, according to Sink.

In 2007, the Florida Legislature directed the MSFH program to provide inspections for at least 400,000 site-built, single-family, residential properties and provide grants to at least 35,000 applicants before June 30, 2009. Last month, CFO Sink announced that the program had exceeded its grant goals and would transition to inspections only. To date, the MSFH program, including local government and non-profits, has approved approximately 38,889 homeowners for mitigation grants and has paid 18,465 grants totaling more than $62.9 million.

Any Floridian who lives in a single-family, site-built home is eligible for a free wind inspection through the MSFH program. Floridians can apply online at www.MySafeFloridaHome.com or by calling the program toll-free at (866) 513-6734. Homeowners who receive free wind inspections through the MSFH program receive a detailed inspection report, complete with additional information on estimated insurance premium discounts, if the homeowner is eligible.
For more information visit: www.amyleesellsproperty.com