How Long Is a 4-Point and Wind Mitigation Good For?
A 4-point usually lasts 1 to 2 years. Wind mitigation can last 5 years or more, depending on the insurer.
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Why insurers want a 4-point
An older house is more likely to have outdated wiring, plumbing or a roof nearing the end of its life. The 4-point tells the insurer the age and condition of those four systems. Insurers often require it once a house reaches a certain age, and that threshold varies.
What the wind mitigation covers
Roof shape, roof-to-wall connections and the type of straps or clips holding the roof down don't change often. Insurers let the report count for longer because of that, often 5 years, sometimes more if nothing's been altered since the inspection.
What happens when either expires
At renewal, your insurer may ask for an updated inspection if the one on file has lapsed. Skipping it could mean losing a wind mitigation discount or facing new questions about the 4-point. Your declarations page or renewal notice shows what's on file and when it expires.
What to check before closing
Ask the seller or inspector for the dates on both reports. If either is close to expiring, the insurer may want a new one soon after you move in. Fresh inspections before closing can lock in discounts right away instead of waiting on a renewal.
Getting the right inspections now pays off at renewal
A fresh wind mitigation report can lock in a discount for years. Comparing quotes before closing shows which insurers reward that report best, so you're not overpaying from day one.
Who pays for these inspections and who orders them
Either report costs money, usually somewhere between 75 and 200 dollars each, paid out of pocket unless the seller agrees to cover it as part of negotiations. Some sellers already have one or both done, especially if their own insurer required a 4-point before the sale. If that's the case, ask for a copy rather than paying for a new one, as long as the dates still work for what your insurer needs.
A licensed inspector does the work, and in most states it has to be someone certified for that specific inspection, not just a general home inspector. The same person can often do both the 4-point and the wind mitigation in one visit, which saves a second appointment and a second fee. Ask upfront whether whoever you're hiring is qualified for both, since not all are.
Timing matters more than people expect. Order the inspection too early and it might be outdated by the time you close, especially if closing gets pushed back. Order it too late and you risk not having the report in hand when your insurer needs it to issue a binder. A good window is once you're under contract and have a firm closing date, so the report stays current through the move.
If you're financing the house, your lender wants proof of insurance before closing, and your insurer wants these reports before it can quote an accurate price or apply a wind mitigation discount. Getting the inspections done early in the process, rather than scrambling in the final week, gives your insurer time to review them and gives you time to shop that quote against others before the closing date locks you in.
Does moving to a new insurer mean starting over on these reports
Not usually. If the 4-point or wind mitigation report is still within the age an insurer accepts, a new carrier can typically work from the same paperwork the previous owner's insurer used. There's no rule that says a report only counts for one policy or one company. What matters is the date on the report, not who ordered it or which insurer first received it.
Insurers don't all accept the same age of report. One company might take a 4-point up to two years old, while another wants anything over a year reviewed again. The same goes for wind mitigation. Most accept a report for five years, but a few shorten that window, especially for roof-related items if local building codes changed since the inspection. Ask the insurer directly what they'll accept rather than assuming the last owner's timeline carries over.
Comparing quotes before closing matters for this reason too. Two insurers looking at the exact same reports can land on different prices, especially where the wind mitigation discount is concerned. One might weigh the roof-to-wall connection heavily, another might focus more on the roof shape or the age of the straps. Shopping the quote shows which insurer values what you already have, instead of guessing.
If the reports are borderline, close to the cutoff an insurer uses, it's worth asking before committing to a policy. A report that's accepted today might need to be redone at the next renewal regardless. Knowing that upfront helps you budget for it rather than being surprised by a letter asking for an updated inspection a year in.
Before you close
Check the dates on any 4-point or wind mitigation report the seller already has. If either is close to expiring, ask your insurer whether it still qualifies, or whether a fresh inspection now locks in a better price.
