Why Are New Homes Cheaper to Insure in Florida? Build Year, Roof Age and Wind Mitigation Credits

Why are new homes cheaper to insure in Florida? In most cases it comes down to three things: the building code the home was built under, the age of the roof and the wind-resistant features an inspector can verify. A home built under the modern Florida Building Code with a new roof and impact-rated openings is a lower risk to an insurer, so it usually earns a lower wind premium. This guide explains each factor, shows how wind mitigation credits work, and gives buyers a simple way to compare insurance on a new home and an older one before making an offer.

Key takeaways

• The first statewide Florida Building Code took effect on March 1, 2002. Homes built under it, and later editions, usually show stronger wind features.
• Florida law requires insurers to offer discounts or credits for construction features that reduce wind damage.
• Insurers cannot refuse to write or renew a policy solely because of roof age if the roof is less than 15 years old.
• A wind mitigation inspection documents these features. The form is valid for up to five years if nothing changes.
• Get real insurance quotes during your inspection period, for both new and resale homes, before you commit.

Why are new homes cheaper to insure? The short version

Insurers price risk. In Florida, wind is the biggest risk for most homes. So anything that makes a home hold up better in a hurricane can lower the wind part of the premium.

New homes tend to have those features built in. They were built under recent codes. They have new roofs. And their plumbing, wiring and AC systems are new too, which can matter to underwriters. An older home can match much of that, but usually only after upgrades.

The building code and why new homes are cheaper to insure

Florida's building rules changed after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. According to the International Code Council, the first Florida Building Code was adopted in 2001 and took effect on March 1, 2002. It replaced the patchwork of local codes with one statewide standard.

Homes permitted after that date were built to stronger wind rules. Later editions of the code have kept updating those standards. As a result, a home built in recent years starts with features that an older home may lack, such as stronger roof deck nailing and better roof-to-wall connections.

The Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, which Florida insurers use, has a section on building code compliance. In short, the year a home was permitted can affect the credits it earns.

Roof age and why new homes are cheaper to insure

The roof is often the single biggest factor in a Florida policy. An old roof is more likely to leak or fail in a storm. So insurers look closely at its age and condition.

Florida law gives owners some protection. Under section 627.7011 of the Florida Statutes, an insurer may not refuse to issue or renew a policy solely because of roof age if the roof is less than 15 years old. For a roof that is 15 years or older, the insurer must let the owner get an inspection before it can require a new roof. And if that inspection shows at least five years of useful life left, the insurer cannot deny coverage based solely on roof age.

A new home has a brand-new roof, so none of this comes up for years. By contrast, an older home with a 16-year-old roof may need an inspection, a repair or a replacement before some insurers will write the policy. Our guide to roof types in South Florida covers how tile, shingle and metal roofs compare.

Wind credits and why new homes are cheaper to insure

Section 627.0629 of the Florida Statutes says rate filings for home insurance must include reasonable discounts, credits or other rate breaks for features that reduce wind damage. That includes construction that meets the minimum Florida Building Code standards.

To earn those credits, you need proof. That is where the wind mitigation inspection comes in. A licensed inspector fills out the state's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form, OIR-B1-1802. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation says the form is valid for up to five years, as long as the home has no material changes and the form has no errors.

What the inspector checks

The form covers the features that matter most in a storm. Citizens Property Insurance describes sections for these items.

• Building code compliance
• Roof covering
• Roof deck attachment
• Roof-to-wall attachment
• Roof geometry, such as a hip roof versus a gable roof
• Secondary water resistance under the roof covering
• Opening protection, like impact windows, doors and shutters

A revised version of the form took effect on April 1, 2026, per Citizens. It adds items like FORTIFIED Home certificates and a wind region field. Citizens said its current mitigation credits did not change with the new form.

Impact openings

Opening protection is one of the features buyers ask about most. New homes in many parts of South Florida come with impact-rated windows and doors. Older homes may have only some protected openings, or none at all. The form asks how the home's openings are protected. So before you pay for partial upgrades, ask your inspector or agent how they would be rated.

Other reasons why new homes are cheaper to insure

Wind is not the whole story. Underwriters also look at the age of the home's main systems.

• Plumbing: older pipes can leak or burst. Some insurers ask about the type of pipe in older homes.
• Electrical: older panels and wiring can raise fire risk.
• AC and water heater: older units are more likely to fail and cause water damage.

Many insurers ask for a four-point inspection on older homes. It covers the roof, plumbing, electrical and heating and cooling systems. A new home rarely needs one. Our guide to insurance for older Florida homes explains how to get covered when you buy an older house.

How buyers can compare insurance on new and older homes

Premiums vary by ZIP code, carrier and coverage. So skip the averages and get real quotes for the homes you are considering. Here is a simple plan.

1. Ask for the seller's wind mitigation report and the roof age before you write an offer. If there is no report, ask whether the seller will order one.
2. Get quotes early. Use the inspection period to get at least two quotes on the exact address.
3. Compare the full monthly cost. Add insurance, taxes, HOA or CDD fees and the mortgage payment for each home.
4. Price the upgrades. If an older home needs a roof or impact windows to insure well, get bids before you set your offer.
5. Check the deductible. Hurricane deductibles can be a percentage of the dwelling coverage, so compare those too.

Then weigh it all together. An older home with a lower price may still cost more each month once insurance and upgrades are added. Or it may come out ahead if the roof and windows are already updated.

New construction areas to compare

Much of the new construction in our area is in places like Port St. Lucie and Westlake. Older housing is common in coastal and central cities across Palm Beach County. If you are torn between the two, compare quotes on one new home and one resale with similar size and value.

Can an older home close the gap?

Yes, often. A new roof, impact openings and a fresh wind mitigation report can bring an older home's wind premium closer to a new home's. However, those upgrades cost money. So before you buy, ask how much of that work is done, what is left and what it would cost.

Sellers of older homes can use this too. If you replaced the roof or added impact windows, order a fresh wind mitigation report before you list. Then share it, along with the roof permit, with buyers' agents. A buyer who can see the credits on paper may feel better about an older home, and may offer more for it.

The state's My Safe Florida Home program has offered help with some mitigation work for eligible owners. Check the Florida Department of Financial Services for current rules and funding, since they change over time.

Frequently asked questions

Why are new homes cheaper to insure than older ones?

New homes are built under current Florida Building Code wind rules, have new roofs and have new systems. Insurers see less risk, and Florida law requires discounts for features that reduce wind damage.

What year should I look for when buying in Florida?

Many buyers look at homes permitted after March 1, 2002, when the first statewide Florida Building Code took effect. Still, upgrades matter more than the year alone. Check the wind mitigation report.

Does roof age affect insurance in Florida?

Yes. Insurers cannot refuse a policy solely because of roof age if the roof is under 15 years old. For older roofs, they must allow an inspection before requiring replacement.

How long is a wind mitigation report good for?

Up to five years, as long as the home has no material changes and the form has no errors, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

Are new homes always cheaper to insure?

Not always. Location, flood zone, coverage and the carrier all matter. A well-upgraded older home can sometimes cost about the same. Get quotes on the exact address.

Sources

• International Code Council, Florida case study
• Florida Statutes, section 627.7011 (roof age)
• Florida Statutes, section 627.0629 (wind mitigation discounts)
• Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Wind mitigation resources
• Citizens Property Insurance, Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form changes

This article is general information, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Premiums and underwriting rules vary by carrier and change over time, so get quotes from a licensed insurance agent for any home you plan to buy.

Selling an older home with a new roof or impact windows? Those upgrades can help your home stand out, so check what your home is worth or talk with a listing agent. Buying? Get a new construction vs. resale comparison from a Pure Equity agent, including insurance questions to ask. Request your comparison.