A hip roof slopes inward on all sides, like in the photo above and the first photo below. The other roof shapes most often used in home construction include a gable (which slopes inward on two sides and has a triangular-shaped “gable end” wall at the other sides), shed (slopes on one side only), and flat roof. 

   Because the hip roof is more resistant to storm damage, a discount of up to 47% of the windstorm portion of your homeowner’s insurance premium is given if your roof qualifies under the insurance industry standards: at least 90% of the roof, as measured along the fascia running around the perimeter of the home, must be the hip shape. Here’s some photo examples to clarify which homes do—and don’t—meet the standard.

  Savings of between $150 and $500 per year or more are typical, so it’s well worth your effort to pursue this discount. A wind mitigation inspection by a Florida-licensed construction professional is the standard way to reduce your premium. An average price statewide for a wind mitigation inspection is $130, but we charge $95 to customers in the metro Gainesville area. The hip roof is just one of the discounts for storm-resistant construction—but definitely the largest—that is documented during the inspection. 

   Many insurance companies do not require that you purchase a wind mitigation inspection to get just the hip roof discount. But if there is any question as to whether your roof qualifies, then an inspection is necessary. It’s officially called a “Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection OIR-B1-1802” and you can get a copy of the form from your insurance agent.

   Homes built after the statewide Florida Building Code went into effect in early 2002 automatically get a number of the discounts because the storm-resistant construction methods became mandated by the building code. So  owners of newer homes may choose not to get a wind mitigation inspection. But there is a moderate chance of an additional smaller discount or two if the inspection is performed. 

    Also, see our blog posts Why didn't I get the hip roof discount on my wind mitigation inspection? and What are the different roof deck attachment discount categories for a wind mitigation inspection? and What is the difference between a toe nail, clip, single wrap, and double wrap for the wind mitigation form? 

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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about INSURANCE:

* Could faulty work or lack of a building permit for home improvements cause an insurance company to deny a claim?

• Why is a fuse box/panel an insurance problem for homebuyers? 

• How is Citizens Property Insurance different from other Florida homeowners insurance companies?  

• Do I need a home inspection to get insurance? 

• Is the 4-point insurance inspection strictly pass or fail? 

• Which building permit date is used for the Building Code section of the wind mitigation form? 

• What determines the year of a house? 

• Should I give a copy of the home inspection report to the bank or insurance company? 

• How do I get my home ready for a four point inspection for insurance? 

• Can I do my own wind mitigation inspection?  

• Will a house without air conditioning pass a 4 point inspection?  

• Why does my homeowner's insurance want a four point inspection? 

• What is the wind mitigation inspection for homeowner's insurance? 

• Which water pipes are an insurance problem and possibly uninsurable? 
• Why does my homeowner's insurance want a roof inspection? 

• Is it common for an insurance company to require an inspection? 

• How do I get insurance if my home can't pass a 4-point inspection? 

    Visit our ROOF AND ATTIC and INSURANCE pages for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.