Insurance Credit Benefits for Whole Home Storm Impact Windows

For homeowners in hurricane-prone areas, the decision to upgrade to whole home storm impact windows is not just a matter of property protection; it’s also a financially savvy move. Florida’s legislation mandates that insurance companies offer discounts for homes fortified against hurricane-force winds, making storm impact windows a beneficial investment. Let’s explore how installing storm-impact windows can lead to potential insurance discounts, improve property safety, and even increase your home’s value.

Understanding Storm Impact Windows

What are Whole-Home Storm Impact Windows?

Whole-home storm impact windows are designed to withstand the severe conditions brought on by hurricanes and other strong storms. These windows are constructed with heavy-duty materials and feature multi-layered laminated glass that remains intact even upon severe impact, preventing debris from breaching the interior of the home.

How Do Storm Impact Windows Protect Your Home?

Storm impact windows are engineered to offer superior protection during severe weather events, particularly hurricanes, which are notorious for causing significant damage with high winds and flying debris. Unlike regular windows, which consist of a single pane of glass that can easily break under stress, storm impact windows are designed with multiple layers of protection to withstand the harsh conditions of a storm.

The core of storm impact windows is the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer that is sandwiched between two layers of glass. This special interlayer is key to the window’s protective features:

• Impact Resistance: The PVB interlayer is extremely durable and flexible, which allows it to absorb impacts from flying debris, a common hazard during hurricanes. When debris strikes a regular window, the glass can shatter and create dangerous shards that can lead to injuries and allow the elements to enter a home. In contrast, the PVB layer in storm impact windows stretches to absorb the impact, and even if the glass cracks, it adheres to the interlayer, preventing it from breaking away from the window frame.
  
  
• Structural Integrity: Storm impact windows are built with heavier-duty frames compared to regular windows, which provide additional strength and stability. These frames help ensure that the window stays intact and in place, even under the extreme pressure differences caused by high-speed winds during a hurricane.
  
  

Benefits of Storm Impact Windows

Installing whole home storm impact windows offers multiple benefits, from improved property protection to significant insurance premium reductions.

Enhanced Property Protection

Storm impact windows are one of the most effective defenses against the damage typically caused by hurricanes. Keeping the windows intact and securely in place, these windows help maintain the structural integrity of your home during a storm. This can prevent more extensive damage to your property and potentially save thousands in repairs.

Insurance Premium Reductions

When it comes to installing storm impact windows, insurance benefits can make your investment well worth your while. According to the Florida Department of Financial Services, homeowners who install storm impact windows are eligible for substantial discounts on the windstorm portion of their insurance premiums. These savings are due to the decreased likelihood of windstorm damage, which reduces the risk insurers need to cover.

For example, Florida building codes post-2001 include requirements that automatically qualify homes for a minimum of 68% discount on windstorm insurance premiums if they meet the specific structural criteria, including the installation of features like storm impact windows. If you make additional improvements to your home that fall under “mitigation efforts,” you could qualify for an even more significant discount.

Additional Benefits: Home Value and Safety

Beyond protecting your home from extreme weather and offering a valuable insurance discount, impact windows can also increase its market value and overall safety.

The PVB interlayer, combined with specially coated glass, helps insulate the home better than single-pane glass found in regular windows. This insulation keeps homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, reducing energy costs. The same properties that improve the energy efficiency of storm impact windows also make them excellent at reducing noise. The multi-layered construction significantly dampens outside noise, providing a quieter indoor environment. Storm impact windows can also block up to 99% of UV radiation, protecting furniture, carpets, and artworks from fading due to sunlight exposure.

Additionally, the enhanced security features of impact windows can deter burglaries, offering another layer of safety for your family. The tough, shatter-resistant glass makes forced entry much more difficult, providing peace of mind that goes beyond weather protection.

How Do You Get an Insurance Premium Discount for Impact Windows?

In order to claim a premium discount for storm impact windows, you’ll be expected to follow a specific process. By following these steps, homeowners can effectively leverage the protective benefits of impact windows to not only enhance their home’s safety but also enjoy substantial savings on their insurance premiums.

1. Schedule an Inspection:
   
   
   • To qualify for an insurance discount, you’ll need a comprehensive inspection of your home’s wind mitigation features. This includes verifying the presence and condition of impact windows. It’s crucial to hire a qualified inspector who can conduct this inspection accurately.
2. Choose the Right Inspector:
   
   
   • The state of Florida requires that the inspection be carried out by a certified professional. Qualified inspectors include licensed general, building, or residential contractors, licensed professional engineers, a licensed professional architect, or a certified building code inspector. These professionals are trained to assess and document the necessary features that qualify for an insurance discount.
3. Provide Documentation via Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form:
   
   
   • During the inspection, the inspector will fill out the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, which is a standardized document approved by the Office of Insurance Regulation. This form is used to itemize and verify the wind mitigation features of your home, such as impact-resistant windows.
4. Include Photographic Evidence:
   
   
   • The inspector must also provide photographic documentation of the mitigating features. Photos should clearly show the installed impact windows and any other features that contribute to the home’s ability to withstand high winds.
5. Submit the Documentation:
   
   
   • Once the inspection is complete and the form is filled out, submit this documentation to your insurance company. The insurance provider will review the form and the accompanying photographs to confirm the presence of impact windows and any other relevant features.
6. Wait for Your Insurance Company to Review and Apply the Discount:
   
   
   • Your insurance company will assess the submitted documents to determine eligibility and the discount amount. If your home meets the required criteria, the discount will be applied to the windstorm coverage portion of your insurance premium.
7. Follow-Up with Your Insurance as Needed:
   
   
   • If necessary, follow up with your insurance company to ensure that the discount has been properly applied. You can also discuss with them any additional steps that may be required to maintain or enhance the discount, such as periodic re-inspections or upgrades to other protective features.
8. Maintain Your Eligibility:
   
   
   • To maintain your eligibility for the discount, it’s important to keep all features in good condition and update your mitigation documentation if you make further enhancements or if there are changes in building codes or insurance regulations.

Insurance Discounts for Storm Impact Windows: FAQs

Is there a storm impact window insurance credit?

Yes, there is an insurance credit available for homeowners who install storm-impact windows. This credit is offered by insurance companies to acknowledge the enhanced storm protection provided by these windows, which can significantly reduce potential damage from high winds and debris. To qualify, make sure your impact windows meet approved standards, have them installed by a qualified professional, and submit the required documentation to your insurer to receive a reduction in your premiums.

How much of an insurance premium discount can you get if you install storm impact windows?

If you have installed mitigation features, such as impact windows, you can apply for a premium discount form. When you received your insurance policy (and at every renewal), you should have been provided with the Wind Mitigation Notice of Premium Discount Form. This form will provide details about how much of a premium discount you can receive. In addition to a less expensive insurance windstorm premium, you may be able to reduce other out-of-pocket expenses, including your hurricane deductible.

The total discount amount largely depends on the specific mitigation improvements you have made to your home. For specific information, you should contact your insurance company. 

Next Steps: Explore Your Options for Impact Window Installation in Florida

Understanding the benefits and potential savings associated with installing whole home storm impact windows is just the first step. For homeowners in Florida, it’s crucial to choose the right provider to ensure that your new windows are installed correctly and in compliance with local regulations to maximize these benefits.

If you’re considering upgrading to storm impact windows, A1 Windows & Doors offers expert installation tailored to your home’s needs. Contact us today to learn more about how you can enhance your home’s protection and take advantage of significant insurance discounts with our top-quality impact windows.

Explore your options, get a quote, and start on the path to a safer and more cost-effective home solution now!

Photo Credit: Julia Nazarova