State offers free windstorm inspections

Homeowners across North Florida are urged to sign up for the free windstorm inspections before the state reaches its goal of 400,000 free inspections. More than 340,000 Florida homeowners have already signed for the program and residents are signing up at more than 1,000 per day.

The State of Florida — through the My Safe Florida Home Program administered by CFO Alex Sink — is giving away 400,000 free windstorm inspections — funded by the Florida Legislature — to people who own Florida single-family homes. More than 340,000 applications have been received so time is of the essence to see that as many homeowners have the opportunity to receive a free windstorm inspection.

Homeowners can sign up for a free inspection simply by calling Panhandle Windstorm Inspections (PWI) toll free at 877-536-0630. Or they can go to www.pannhandlewindstorm.com and complete an on-line application. PWI is an authorized inspection company in North Florida with the state My Safe Florida Home program.

With the advent of peak hurricane season soon to be here, homeowners across the state are taking advantage of this free program in record numbers.

The program — which is only available to single-family detached dwellings — provides homeowners with the insurance forms, which could entitle homeowners to discounts on their homeowner’s insurance. A State of Florida study showed homeowners are eligible for, but are not receiving an average of $282 a year in insurance premium discounts. PWI will provide homeowners with the necessary documentation to receive this discount. The program is totally voluntary and the homeowner decides whether to send the information to their insurance company.

In addition to the insurance documents, the State of Florida will provide homeowners a “hurricane rating” for their home and provide recommendations on how to strengthen their home.

“The Legislature funded 400,000 free windstorm inspections and once those are completed that will be the end of it,” said Ken Walton, co-owner of Panhandle Windstorm Inspections. “This is a very valuable state program and North Florida residents should take advantage before the goal is reached,” he said.

“A free state sponsored inspection will proved homeowners with some critical information about their home and more than likely save them some money on their homeowner’s insurance, “ Walton concluded.

Under the My Safe Florida Home free inspection, PWI state certified inspectors will assess seven critical areas of a home. This inspection takes approximately 45 minutes. The state will provide an analysis on how safe a home is today and provide suggestions on how to strengthen or harden the home.

While Florida has not had a major storm in more than 2 years, hurricane forecasters are again predicting an above average year. Dr. William Gray, who is beginning his 25th year forecasting hurricanes at Colorado State University, had some grim predictions for Florida this hurricane season, which began June 1.

The hurricane forecast predicted there is a 45 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida Peninsula.

In addition, they predicted a 44 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville.

“We believe the state will run out of these free inspections in July or at the latest August,” Walton said. “This will be just in time for the peak hurricane season in late August, early September.”