Insurers routinely file wind-mitigation credits when you harden your home against storms. Verified opening protection (impact-rated shutters or windows) typically earns about 5–25% off the wind/hurricane portion of your premium, while documented roof-system upgrades verified through IBHS FORTIFIED can yield roughly 15–35% off that wind portion, depending on state and insurer. In Florida, insurers are required by law to provide actuarially reasonable mitigation discounts (Fla. Stat. §627.0629). Florida’s My Safe Florida Home program reports average premium savings around 20–30% after recommended upgrades, with typical dollar savings near $800–$1,200 per year (actual results vary). Credits apply only to the wind portion, so the total policy reduction is smaller, which matters in today’s market: household insurance costs have posted sustained double‑digit inflation into 2025 (BLS CPI), the Texas wind pool filed for an average +10% in 2025 (TWIA), and Florida’s residual market advanced mid‑teens increases for 2025 (Citizens). Insurers emphasize mitigation because risk is rising: assessments show a higher proportion of major hurricanes, heavier rainfall (~7% more per 1°C warming), and more rapid intensification events (NOAA GFDL; IPCC AR6; U.S. NCA5). Forecasting has also improved with NOAA’s upgraded HAFS and surge products, helping insurers better price and reward mitigation (NOAA).
How to save on insurance with hurricane shutters
1. Compare options
It can really pay to shop around when it comes to hurricane shutters and your insurance policy. First, you should compare the cost of the different types of hurricane shutters: corrugated storm panels (about $5–$15/sq ft or roughly $100–$300 per window), fabric systems (~$5–$15/sq ft or $100–$500 per opening), accordion shutters (~$15–$30/sq ft or $300–$700 per window), Bahama or Colonial shutters (~$20–$50/sq ft or about $500–$1,500 per opening), and roll‑down/rolling shutters (~$30–$65+/sq ft or $1,200–$4,000+ per opening, especially if motorized). As an alternative, impact‑resistant windows/doors often run ~$50–$100+ per sq ft of glazing (about $700–$1,500+ per window), with whole‑home projects commonly $10,000–$50,000+. Actual pricing varies with opening size/count, design pressures, finishes, and code zone (Angi; Fixr).
The level and verification of protection you install directly affects your discount. Many insurers require “whole‑opening protection” (every exterior glazed opening, including doors with glass, sidelites, skylights, and garage‑door windows) to qualify for an opening‑protection credit. Individual features such as opening protection, secondary water resistance (sealed roof deck), and roof‑to‑wall connections often earn about 5–15% each off the wind portion; FORTIFIED‑verified roof systems can receive larger credits where available (IBHS: insurance discounts). To count for code and credits, products should be tested/listed to ASTM E1996/E1886 and meet local design pressures; in Florida, use Florida Product Approval or a Miami‑Dade NOA—especially in the HVHZ (Florida Building Code; Miami‑Dade Product Control).
Compare the different costs of your insurance before and after a potential hurricane shutter installation. Ask your agent to show a before‑and‑after quote that breaks out the wind/hurricane portion so you can see the true impact on your total premium. For example, a 20% credit on the wind portion translates to about a 12% total‑premium reduction if wind is 60% of your bill. In some coastal programs and wind pools, verified designations can unlock fixed credits (e.g., ~15% for a FORTIFIED Roof in North Carolina’s coastal pool and ~15–20% in Texas), but documentation such as a current FORTIFIED certificate is required (NCIUA; TWIA).
2. Consider legal requirements
Some areas will legally require you to purchase physical hurricane protection for your home or business. Regions that are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes may have certain protections as building code requirements. In Florida, the current Florida Building Code (8th Edition, 2023) requires protection of exterior glazed openings in wind‑borne debris regions (Residential Section R301.2.1.2). Miami‑Dade and Broward Counties enforce more stringent High‑Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) provisions that rely on Miami‑Dade Notices of Acceptance (NOAs) or Florida Product Approvals for compliant products. Florida also mandates specific wind‑mitigation upgrades when reroofing certain homes in the WBDR (e.g., improved deck attachment, secondary water barrier) under Fla. Stat. §553.844. Outside Florida, Texas coastal counties require a windstorm compliance inspection and a WPI‑8/WPI‑8‑E certificate for TWIA eligibility (TDI Windstorm Program). Always confirm permits, approvals, and inspection pathways with your local building department (F.A.C. 61G20‑1.001; FBC; Miami‑Dade Product Control).
For example, Florida has one of the country’s strictest building codes because of its climate, location, and history of destructive hurricanes. The state currently enforces the Florida Building Code (8th Edition, 2023), and in Miami‑Dade/Broward’s HVHZ, authorities rely on Miami‑Dade NOAs or statewide product approvals indicating HVHZ compliance for impact windows, doors, and shutters; all exterior glazed openings in wind‑borne debris regions must be protected per code. Be sure to check with your county for local amendments and permitting requirements (Florida Building Code; Miami‑Dade Product Control).
3. Get an inspection
In order to prove that you have adequate wind protection from your hurricane shutters, you’ll need to get an inspection on the record. First, check with your insurance company to understand the inspection requirements for your specific policy. In Florida, insurers accept the state’s Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection form (OIR‑B1‑1802), which eligible professionals (e.g., licensed home inspectors with training, contractors, engineers, architects) can complete; insurers must accept a valid form for 5 years (Fla. Stat. §627.711; §627.0629). Outside Florida, programs use different verification: Texas requires a WPI‑8/WPI‑8‑E for TWIA eligibility (TDI), and IBHS FORTIFIED designations—verified by third‑party Evaluators—are recognized with specific credits by many coastal programs (e.g., ~15% for a FORTIFIED Roof in NC; ~15–20% for FORTIFIED in TX) (NCIUA; TWIA; IBHS).
The inspector will evaluate features of your home or business to identify areas that need improvement and areas that will properly protect your structure in the event of strong winds. Typical documented items include roof covering/code compliance, roof deck attachment, roof‑to‑wall connections (clips/straps), roof geometry, secondary water resistance/sealed roof deck, and opening protection for all windows, doors, and skylights. Clear photo evidence (e.g., labels/NOAs, nail size/patterns) and permits/product approvals are essential; missing/uncertain items usually earn no credit (Citizens: Wind Mitigation Discounts).
Keep in mind that wind mitigation inspections usually expire after a set amount of time. In Florida, a properly completed uniform mitigation form is valid for 5 years; private inspection costs commonly run about $75–$150 for a standard home, varying by size and bundle (Angi cost guide). A free option exists: the State’s My Safe Florida Home program offers free wind mitigation inspections and, when funding is available, grants for recommended retrofits. Reinspect after reroofing or adding protection to capture additional credits (§627.711).
4. Tell your insurance company
Finally, inform your insurance company of your decision to protect your home or business with hurricane shutters or additional structural protective measures. Provide your wind mitigation inspection along with supporting documentation (product approvals or Miami‑Dade NOAs, permits, and—if applicable—an IBHS FORTIFIED certificate). Credits are applied to the wind/hurricane portion of your premium and typically appear at renewal; if you upgrade later (e.g., reroof, add shutters), submit an updated inspection to keep or increase your discounts. Florida’s residual market applies mitigation credits per its manual (Citizens), and coastal wind pools publish fixed FORTIFIED credits when you submit a valid certificate (e.g., ~15% for a FORTIFIED Roof in NC; ~15–20% for FORTIFIED in TX) (NCIUA; TWIA). In a period of elevated premiums, verified documentation is essential to capture all available savings.
