Florida insurers are required by statute 627.0629 to offer premium credits for homes with recognized wind mitigation features. Of all the features on the standard OIR-B1-1802 Uniform Mitigation Verification inspection form, opening protection is the one that moves the needle the most — and impact windows are the most durable form of opening protection available.

The Credit Math

Credits are applied as a percentage reduction to the wind portion of your premium, which is typically 70–80% of the total bill in coastal counties. A home with 100% impact-rated openings can earn credits of 40–50% on the wind premium, translating to roughly 30–45% off the total policy. Partial protection (some openings, not all) earns a much smaller credit — insurers discount for whole-house systems, not piecemeal upgrades.

What the Inspector Looks For

A licensed inspector must verify and photograph every opening. The form requires the NOA or Florida Product Approval number, the manufacturer, and the product line for each window and door. Any opening that lacks verifiable approval documentation is counted as unprotected, which collapses the credit. This is why keeping your product labels and approval paperwork — and using a contractor who provides them — is essential.

Impact Glass vs. Shutters

Both qualify for the same opening-protection credit, but insurers and inspectors treat them differently. Shutters must be present, functional, and correctly rated for the opening they cover; missing or damaged shutters void the credit. Impact glass is permanent and always in place, so there is nothing to deploy, store, or maintain — the credit is locked in for the life of the product.

Stacking Credits

Opening protection stacks with other mitigation features: a hip-roof shape, a roof built after the 2002 Florida Building Code, and a secondary water resistance barrier each add their own credits. A fully mitigated home with impact openings can pay less than half the premium of an unprotected neighbor with the same house. Many A&E customers report that the insurance savings alone justify the investment within a few years.

How to Claim Yours

After installation, A&E provides the approval documentation for every product we install. You submit the completed mitigation form to your insurer, who recalculates the premium at the next renewal. We recommend requesting a quote from at least three carriers, since credit weighting varies between companies — but the underlying documentation is the same regardless of insurer.