Opening Protection

Opening protection is by far the most confusing part of the wind mitigation inspection report for not only policyholders, but also insurance agents and inspectors alike. This is especially the case on the older wind mitigation inspection report forms.

Since the inception of the wind mitigation inspection and report, OIR-B1-1802, much progress has taken place to make the inspection and reporting process much more transparent and clear to everyone involved in the wind mitigation industry.

Under the new OIR-B1-1802, the opening protection section has been divided into both window openings and door openings, which is accompanied by an opening protection matrix, clearly identifying the actual protection devices and rating associated with each opening type.

This new update to the new wind mitigation inspection report provides much more clarity to the policyholders who are trying to benefit from insurance credits and discounts that they may be entitled to for their opening protection. If any opening is unprotected, the wind mitigation matrix will clearly outline this on the inspection report and policyholders can determine if it’s financially beneficial to upgrade the opening protection concerned, based on the insurance credit or discount available.

Because opening protection provides the largest discount to policyholders in some regions, policyholders should have all the relevant paperwork relating to the opening protection products, including but not limited to manufacturer’s specification information, building permits, contractor receipts, invoices or other information, notice of acceptance paperwork from the testing facility, or any other information to verify that the opening protection devices are properly rated to receive the maximum discounts or insurance credits available.