Do Hurricane Shutters Lower Insurance?

Last Updated: March 2026
Hurricane shutters could potentially lower insurance. Florida law (Fla. Stat. §627.0629) requires insurance companies to offer premium discounts for verified wind mitigation features, including hurricane shutters. The discount comes through the opening protection credit on the official OIR-B1-1802 wind mitigation inspection form. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) oversees these credits and is required to review and update the qualifying features and discount levels every five years.

The potential savings are real and measurable. Florida homeowners with impact-rated opening protection may potentially save 10-30% on the wind/hurricane portion of their premium. On a $5,000 annual policy where 50% covers wind risk, that could represent $250 to $750 per year in potential savings. Over the 15-25 year lifespan of a shutter system, potential insurance savings may help offset or exceed the original installation cost.

Below you will find answers to additional frequently asked questions about hurricane shutters and insurance savings.

How Does the Wind Mitigation Insurance Credit Work?

Florida’s wind mitigation discount system evaluates seven features of your home. Opening protection (Question 7 on the OIR-B1-1802 form) is one of the most impactful. Here is how the system works:

Step 1: Install qualifying protection. Your shutters, screens, or Impact Windows must carry a Florida Product Approval number or HVHZ Rating where applicable. Every opening must be covered. One unprotected window can downgrade your entire home’s rating.

Step 2: Get a wind mitigation inspection. A licensed inspector (general contractor, engineer, architect, or certified home inspector) examines your home and completes the OIR-B1-1802 form. The inspection typically costs $75-$150. It is valid for five years.

Step 3: Submit the form to your insurer. By law, your insurer must apply the credits. Savings appear on your next policy renewal.

The opening protection section rates your home on a scale from best (Level A) to worst (Level X):

Rating	What It Means	Typical Insurance Impact
A	All glazed openings protected with products meeting cyclic pressure and large missile impact tests (Florida Product Approved or HVHZ Rated)	Potential for highest discount (up to 10-30% of wind premium, varies by insurer)
B	All glazed openings protected with products meeting cyclic pressure and small missile impact tests	Significant discount
C	All glazed openings protected with products meeting basic wind pressure requirements	Moderate discount
N	Coverings present but no documentation of compliance	Minimal or no discount
X	One or more glazed openings unprotected	No discount

The “weakest link” rule is critical. The inspector rates your home based on the weakest form of protection on any opening. If you have shutters on every window but leave one sliding glass door unprotected, your entire home rates as Level X (no discount). Every opening must be covered to qualify. 

How Much Can You Actually Save?

Savings depend on three variables: your total premium, the percentage attributable to wind/hurricane coverage, and the discount rate your insurer applies.

Homeowner Profile	Annual Premium	Wind Portion (est.)	Opening Protection Credit (15%)	Annual Savings	10-Year Savings
Inland FL, newer home	$2,500	25% ($625)	$94	$94	$940
Suburban coastal FL	$5,000	50% ($2,500)	$375	$375	$3,750
Coastal FL, older home	$8,000	65% ($5,200)	$780	$780	$7,800

Note: These are illustrative examples using a 15% opening protection credit rate. Actual discount percentages vary by insurer and are not publicly standardized. Some carriers offer higher credits for Level A protection. Contact your insurance company for your specific discount schedule.

Opening protection is just one of seven credit categories. Homeowners who combine shutters with other qualifying features (hip roof, secondary water resistance, updated roof-to-wall connections) may potentially achieve combined discounts of 30-50% off the wind/hurricane portion of their premium.

Will My Insurer Recognize All Types of Hurricane Shutters?

Your insurer does not choose which products to recognize. The OIR-B1-1802 form has objective criteria. If your shutters carry a valid Florida Product Approval number and the wind mitigation inspector can verify the approval documentation, they qualify for credit.

Here is what qualifies and what does not:

Product	FL Product Approved?	Qualifies for Level A Credit?	Documentation Needed
Hurricane Screens (e.g., Storm Catcher®)	Yes	Yes (when large-missile tested)	FL Product Approval number or HVHZ Rating where applicable
Accordion Shutters	Yes	Yes	FL Product Approval number or HVHZ Rating where applicable
Roll Down Shutters	Yes	Yes	FL Product Approval number or HVHZ Rating where applicable
Storm Panels	Yes	Yes	FL Product Approval number or HVHZ Rating where applicable
Impact Windows and Doors	Yes	Yes	FL Product Approval number or HVHZ Rating where applicable
Plywood	No	No	N/A – does not qualify for opening protection credit
Window film	No (in most cases)	No	N/A – does not qualify for opening protection credit

The key takeaway: every Florida Product Approved shutter, screen, and panel qualifies for the same top-tier opening protection credit. There is no insurance advantage to choosing more expensive impact windows over less expensive hurricane screens. Both achieve Level A when installed on all openings with proper documentation. This means Hurricane Screens and Storm Panels can offer an effective path to potentially maximizing your insurance discount.

What Documentation Do You Need to Claim the Discount?

Getting the credit requires three things:

1. Product approval documentation. Your installer should provide the Florida Product Approval number or HVHZ Rating documentation for every product installed on your home. Keep this documentation permanently. Storm Smart provides this documentation as part of every installation.

2. A completed OIR-B1-1802 form. Schedule a wind mitigation inspection after installation is complete and the permit is closed. The inspector will photograph every opening, verify product approvals, and complete the form. Cost: $75-$150. Valid for five years unless you make material changes to the structure.

3. Submission to your insurer. Send the completed form to your insurance company or agent. Credits must be applied by law. If your insurer fails to apply the credits, file a complaint with the Florida OIR.

Timing tip: Schedule your wind mitigation inspection before your next policy renewal date. If you submit the form after renewal, credits may not apply until the following term, costing you a full year of savings.

Learn More About Storm Smart Hurricane Protection

Every Storm Smart product carries Florida Product Approval. Storm Catcher® Hurricane Screens, Accordion Shutters, Roll Down Shutters, Storm Panels, and Smart View Impact Windows all qualify for the highest tier of opening protection credit on the OIR-B1-1802 form. Storm Smart handles permitting, installation, and inspection, and provides all product approval documentation needed for your wind mitigation inspection.

Related Questions About Hurricane Protection and Insurance

• Do Hurricane Windows Reduce Insurance in Florida? – Impact window insurance benefits and the OIR form explained.
• Are Hurricane Shutters Worth the Cost? – Full ROI analysis including insurance savings, avoided damage, and grants.
• Are Hurricane Screens Expensive? – Cost breakdown with insurance payback timeline.
• Do You Need a Permit to Install Hurricane Shutters in Florida? – Why permitted installation matters for insurance credit eligibility.
• Are Hurricane Screens Worth It? – Value analysis including insurance, damage prevention, and resale impact.