Florida’s wind mitigation inspection form changed in 2026, and the garage door is one of the openings the inspector looks at. If you own a home in Miami-Dade or Broward, a damaged or non-rated garage door can affect what your insurer sees on that report. Here is what we know, what we do not, and what to check on your own door before your next inspection.
What changed in Florida’s wind mitigation form
Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) updated the wind mitigation verification form, OIR-B1-1802. According to Radey Law, the proposed rule amendments were intended to take effect on April 1, 2026, based on the state’s 2024 Residential Wind-Loss Mitigation Study.
Insurance company Kin’s breakdown reports these practical points:
- Inspections completed before April 1, 2026 on the older 2012 form are still accepted.
- If you are getting a new inspection, the inspector should use the updated 2026 form.
- The opening protection section covers garage doors.
- The new form adds a “Damaged Openings” category. Kin states that if the inspector flags any damaged opening anywhere on the form, the Opening Protection discount is off the table entirely.
Why the garage door matters in South Florida
A garage door is usually the largest opening in a house, and wind pressure on a weak door can put the whole structure at risk. That is why Miami-Dade and Broward, the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), require garage doors to have Miami-Dade product approval (a Notice of Acceptance, or NOA). An NOA means the door was tested for large missile impact and cyclic wind pressure.
Hurricane season officially runs June 1 to November 30, but wind mitigation paperwork matters all year, because renewals, home sales and new policies can all trigger an inspection.
5 things to check on your garage door before an inspection
- Look for the label. A hurricane-rated door usually carries a manufacturer label or data plate with its approval information, often on an end stile or inside a panel. If you cannot find one, take photos and ask your installer for the paperwork.
- Check for visible damage. Dents, cracked or delaminated panels, bent tracks, loose or rusted hardware and broken struts can all be recorded as damage.
- Test the door’s operation. It should open and close smoothly and evenly. A door that scrapes, jerks or sags is already compromised.
- Check the opener and the manual release. Make sure you can still operate the door by hand if power fails, which is common after storms.
- Keep your records. Save invoices, permits and product approval documents from the original installation or any replacement.
If your door is damaged, repair it before the inspection and keep the invoice. If it is old and not hurricane-rated, ask a licensed contractor whether repair or replacement makes sense for your home.
Repair or replace?
A single damaged panel, a worn spring or a bent track can often be repaired. If the door is original to an older home, has no approval label, or has repeated damage, a hurricane-rated garage door is usually the better long-term fix. For minor problems, our garage door repair and maintenance services keep tracks, rollers and springs in working order. We also provide 24/7 emergency garage door repair if a door fails after a storm.
Frequently asked questions
Does a new garage door lower my insurance premium in Florida?
It can, but it depends on your insurer, your home and the result of your wind mitigation inspection. Ask your insurer which discounts apply to your policy before you buy.
Is a hurricane-rated garage door required in Miami-Dade?
Garage doors installed in Miami-Dade and Broward must have product approval for the High Velocity Hurricane Zone. Your building department and permit requirements make the final call for your address.
Do inspections done before April 1, 2026 still count?
According to Kin, inspections completed before April 1, 2026 on the older 2012 form are still accepted. Check with your insurer for the exact rules on your policy.
Who can tell me if my garage door is hurricane-rated?
Your installer, the door’s label and its product approval documents. A licensed garage door contractor can inspect it and tell you.
Need your garage door checked?
We can inspect your door, tell you whether it needs repair or replacement, and give you a clear estimate. Open 24/7, Sunday to Sunday.
Call (305) 797-4077Request an estimate
Power Garage Doors, Inc. · Licensed garage door contractor (License 19BS00276) · Hialeah, FL · Serving Miami-Dade and Broward since 2019
We serve Hialeah, Doral, Miami Gardens and the rest of South Florida.
This article is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Rules and discounts change, so confirm the details with your insurer and the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.
Sources: Radey Law, OIR adopting updated mitigation discount form (Oct 22, 2025); Kin, Florida wind mitigation breakdown (updated Jul 28, 2026). Images: NOAA/NESDIS/STAR and FEMA / Bob Epstein via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).