State still offering free windstorm inspections

With a goal of hardening homes in Florida, the state is offering free windstorm inspections to single-family residences in the Sunshine State.

The State of Florida - through the My Safe Florida Home Program administered by CFO Alex Sink - is giving way 400,000 free windstorm inspections to people who own Florida single-family homes. More than 300,000 inspections have been completed to date, so time is of the essence to see that as many homeowners have the opportunity to receive a free windstorm inspection.

Hurricane season began Monday, June 1.

Homeowners can sign up for a free inspection simply by going on the My Safe Florida Home web page, mysafefloridahome. com, and submitting an application for the program. After you apply online, keep a copy of the application for your records.

The program - which is only available to single-family detached dwellings - provides homeowners with a "hurricane rating" for their home and also provides recommendations on how to strengthen their home.

In addition, homeowners are provided an insurance form that many times provides homeowners with 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. This inspection provides them with the necessary documentation to receive this discount.

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

Many homes have some "hardening" features and are entitled to discounts on their existing homes subsequent to the inspections.