How you can take advantage of discounts:

Most homeowners will need a licensed or certified professional (general, residential or building contractor, building inspector, a registered architect, engineer or certified building code official) to inspect the home to identify potential mitigation measures and legally verify improvements. 

Eligible homeowners can also apply for a free inspection through the new My Safe Florida Home Program by visiting www.mysafefloridahome.com or calling toll-free 1-800-513-6734.  To be eligible, Floridians must live in single-family, site built homes.

How much do these improvements cost?

The costs of the improvement projects vary.  Contact Island Homes of the Keys, Inc. for an estimate. Homeowners may be eligible for a matching grant up to $5,000 through My Safe Florida Home Program if they live at least 6 months out of the year in a single-family, detached, site-built home that meets the following criteria:

*  was built before March 1, 2002;

*  Has an insured value of $300,000 or less;

*  has a valid homestead exemption;

*  is located in the wind-borne debris region; and

*  has undergone a wind inspection.

Grant funds must be used for opening protections, which includes windows, skylights, gable vents, doors and garage doors, and bracing of gable ends.  To be eligible for a grant for opening protection, you must protect all openings identified by your wind inspection report as needing hurricane protection.

Alternatively and regardless of the year of construction, if you meet the minimum fixtures and constructions requirements of the Florida Building Code you have the option to reduce your hurricane-wind deductible from 5% to 2%.