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If you live in Florida, rain, high winds and even hurricanes are an eventual certainty. Between the wind-borne debris and driving rain, you want to protect your home, preserve your property, keep your family safe, and reduce any financial risk.
That’s exactly why many homeowners turn to impact-rated windows. They’re durable, storm-ready, and often boost your home’s energy efficiency and resale value. But do they have an effect on your homeowner’s insurance?
The short answer is, yes, and sometimes significantly.
But the long answer includes a few “ifs,” “whens,” and “what-about-this?”
Typical Coverages
Most standard Florida homeowner’s insurance policies include coverage for wind damage, which is one of the biggest threats to your home during tumultuous weather. However, the coverage can vary depending on policy type, deductibles, and the nature of the storm.
Here’s what’s typically covered (but check your policy details):
- Damage from Wind-borne Debris: If your window shatters due to flying debris during a storm, insurance usually covers repairs or replacements. But here’s the catch: Payouts are subject to your hurricane deductible, which might be higher than the standard deductible.
- Water Damage… Under Specific Circumstances: Wind-driven rain entering your home through a damaged window caused by wind is usually covered. Water that enters due to pre-existing leaks or poor sealing usually isn’t.
- Full-value Replacement – Not Upgrades Insurance: will replace what you had. If you had non-impact windows, they will pay the value of non-impact windows. If you choose to upgrade to impact windows after a storm, you’ll have to pay the price difference.
In order to get your insurance adjuster on board, you’ll need to provide evidence of storm-related damage, proof that the damage was sudden and accidental, documentation or photos of the damage, and, often, a licensed contractor’s assessment.
(Hint: We know exactly what documentation insurers expect and can help streamline the claims process!)
Insurance Premiums and Impact Windows
Now to the main question: Will your premium go down if you install impact windows?
For most Florida homeowners, the answer is yes, with some discounts totalling in the hundreds each year. Because the State is interested in keeping the cost of natural disasters down and families in their homes, there are insurance benefits to upgrading your home’s envelope to impact-rated windows and doors. Specifications exist for meeting the Florida Building Code for wind-borne debris regions, and there are State resources to research your area in particular.
Insurers calculate premiums based on your home’s likelihood of sustaining severe storm damage – that translates to dollar signs for the insurance company. Impact-rated windows and doors protect the building envelope, minimize internal pressurization (one of the main causes of roof failure), prevent water intrusion, and reduce claims frequency. Less risk equals lower premiums.
Your premium and the types of credits available will depend on which region you reside in, that region’s storm damage potential, and various building details about your home, such as age, roof type, and other information about the construction.
Aside from the typical bundling and pay-in-full credits insurers offer, the Wind Mitigation Credits are designed specifically for Florida homeowners who invest in stronger, code-compliant upgrades. Florida law requires insurance companies to provide wind mitigation credits to homeowners who have installed features that reduce windstorm losses. To qualify, you must get a wind mitigation inspection from a licensed inspector to document these features.
Impact windows alone won’t guarantee the highest possible discount, but they are one of the biggest contributors. Many insurers offer additional discounts for comprehensive protection, maximizing potential savings when impact windows are combined with a reinforced roof, approved shutters, roof-to-wall attachments, and secondary water resistance.
Once impact windows are installed and documented on your policy, insurers typically replace them with the same type, assuming the damage is storm-related, the windows were installed by a licensed professional, and the impact rating was previously documented as a protective feature with the insurance company.
(Hint: A good reason to hang onto the paperwork we give you when the work is complete.)
Next Steps: A Call to Garabar
If you want the best chance at lowering your premium, you need exact window specifications, and that information comes from the installer. Here’s what to request from us before contacting your agent to discuss your policy (if it isn’t already included in your installation packet):
- Product approval numbers
- Impact rating and testing data
- Design pressure (DP) ratings
- Documentation showing compliant installation
- Any available manufacturer certifications
- A copy of your order and installation date
Once you have this, we can schedule a wind mitigation inspection, then forward the report to your insurance provider. The combination of proper documentation plus a certified inspection is what activates your insurance savings.
The Bottom Line
In a hurricane-prone area like Florida, impact windows and doors are some of the most financially and structurally smart upgrades you can make. Aside from being designed to withstand projectiles and hurricane-force impacts, impact windows perform year-round with noise reduction, energy efficiency, and increased home valuation.
If you’re considering impact windows or want to confirm your home’s protections qualify for wind mitigation discounts, we’re here to help – from window selection and installation to documentation.
Ready to safeguard your home and potentially save on insurance? Contact Garabar to get the peace of mind your family deserves and the exact window data your insurance agent needs.
