Retrofitting Older Homes

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

Florida Homes Built Before 2002 Don’t Meet Today’s Hurricane Codes. IN 1992 HURRICANE ANDREW CONFIRMED THAT MANY FLORIDA HOMES WEREN’T STRONG ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND A STORM OF THAT MAGNITUDE. By 2002, a stronger statewide Florida building code had been adapted and put in place. Today, Florida homes are stronger, safer, and more resilient, but there are

What happens after my initial inspection is completed?

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

The initial inspection results are uploaded into the Applicant Portal by the inspection company. Homeowners will then receive an email instructing them to review the initial inspection report in the Applicant Portal.

MSFH Portal Tips

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

The My Safe Florida Home Program team is always striving to enhance and support the customer experience, and a key component of this experience occurs through customer interaction with the Program portal. Here are some handy tips to keep in mind to help improve your portal experience:  Homeowners interested in participating in the Program MUST creat

How You Save on Your Insurance

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

What should I do if I have a dispute with my contractor?

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

Any disputes regarding work performed by contractors must be resolved between the homeowner/client and the contractor. The My Safe Florida Home Program and the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) are not involved in or responsible for the contractor selection process or any aspects of the construction and payment process, and does not pro

What steps do I take to receive my grant reimbursement?

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

Step 1: Talk to your contractor. Confirm the mitigation project is complete and that all contractor permits have been approved and closed.   Step 2: Request a Final Inspection through your portal account in the "Draw Request - Final Inspection Request" step. Each homeowner will only have one opportunity to request a Final Inspection. Our inspectors

Hurricane Mitigation Grants

Published November 18th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

The Florida State Legislature has allocated funds through the My Safe Florida Home Program to provide Homeowners a Hurricane Mitigation Grant (“Grant”). Eligible Homeowners who have received their free Initial Inspection through the Program and have decided to make Improvements that were recommended in their Initial Inspection Report can apply for a

Hurricane Mitigation Inspections

Published November 18th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

The Florida State Legislature has allocated funds through the My SafeFlorida Home Program to provide Homeowners a Hurricane Mitigation Inspection (“Inspection”) of their home at NO COST and NO OBLIGATION. A Hurricane Mitigation Inspection is a home inspection performed by a Wind Certification Entity (“Inspector”) pursuant to the MSFH Program. Hurric

Draw Requests

Published December 22nd, 2024 by Tim ONeil

Approval of a Draw Request is contingent upon completion of the home’s Final Inspection AND receipt of uploaded required documentation. A Final Inspection of the home must be requested and completed BEFORE the Homeowner submits a Draw Request. Submitting a Draw Request The Final Inspection of the home must be completed, and the Final Inspection Repo

Miscellaneous Program Tips

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

We recommend using a computer rather than a phone and the Google Chrome web browser for the best experience when accessing the program portal, although other browsers should also work. Your initial wind mitigation report identifies the wind mitigation upgrades that are eligible for program reimbursement. You will not be reimbursed for ineligible rep

Who is eligible to participate in the My Safe Florida Home Program?

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

Florida Homeowners who meet the following requirements may qualify for a free Inspection: The home must be a single-family, detached residential property or a townhouse as defined in section 481.203, Florida Statutes (F.S.); The home must be site-built and owner-occupied; and The Homeowner must have been granted a homestead exemption on the home und

Hurricane Mitigation Projects

Published December 22nd, 2024 by Tim ONeil

Improvements Guide Please read the information below carefully. Thoroughly review the Initial Inspection Report. For questions about the Initial Inspection Report, please contact the Inspector using the contact information provided in the Inspection Application approval email. PLEASE NOTE: Only Improvements recommended by an Inspector in an Initial

MSFH Program Steps

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

A QUICK GUIDE TO Understanding & Navigating theMySafeFLHome Program. PROGRAM APPLICATION STEPS STEP 1: Apply for a Hurricane Mitigation Inspection. The Homeowner submits an Inspection Application via the Applicant Portal https://mysafeflhome.com/ Homeowners must provide all required information and documentation to receive Inspection Application

Can I use my own inspector to participate in the MSFH Program?

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

No. Once you have applied and been approved for your free wind-mitigation inspection, a licensed inspector, contracted by the program will be assigned to you to complete all inspections of your home.

Contractors Guide

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

Do thorough research: Spend time researching and gathering information about potential contractors. The Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate has great resources to help you avoid pitfalls when selecting construction contractors to perform home improvements. You can use tools like the below run by private entities to help you narrow the options down t

Do the July 1, 2024 program changes affect previously approved grants?

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

No. If you received notification that your grant application was approved and were instructed to hire a contractor prior to July 1, 2024, the changes will NOT affect your grant.

Reimbursement Process

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

Navigating the My Safe FL Home Program Grant Reimbursement Process STARTING THE PROCESS Before Matching and Low-Income Grant applicants can submit for reimbursement they must first have: Received Initial Inspection Approval Received the free Home Wind Mitigation Inspection and Report Completed Grant Application Steps:1. Eligibility Confirmation 2. C

What My Safe Florida Home Program changes took effect July 1, 2024?

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

The following program changes became effective July 1, 2024:   All grant dollars will be paid directly to the Florida homeowner for them to distribute, including low-income grants. Homeowners may now select any registered licensed FL contractor to do their program upgrade work. You must use a licensed Florida contractor for grant work, or you will n

Application Steps

Published November 18th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

Step 1: Apply for a Hurricane Mitigation Inspection. The Homeowner submits an Inspection Application via the Account Portal https://mysafeflhome.com/. Homeowners must provide all required information and documentation to receive Inspection Application approval. Step 2: Schedule an Initial Inspection. Upon Inspection Application approval, the Homeown

What is the My Safe Florida Home Program?

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

The My Safe Florida Home Program (My Safe FL Home), re-established during the 2022 Special Session of the Florida Legislature, offers financial assistance to eligible Florida homeowners to help retrofit and strengthen homes against storm damage. The program has two (2) main components, both administered by the Florida Department of Financial Service

Eligible Improvements Guide

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

Please read the information below carefully. Watch the Videos on the Mitigation Upgrades Thoroughly review the Initial Inspection Report. For questions about the Initial Inspection Report, please contact the Inspector using the contact information provided in the Inspection Application approval email. PLEASE NOTE: Only Improvements recommended by an

MSFH Portal Terms

Published November 7th, 2024 by Tim ONeil

Understanding MSFH Account Status Terms and What They Mean for You. GRANT APPLICATION PRIORITIZATION OPEN  If this message appears in your portal account, you must complete your prioritization survey for grant application eligibility. Inspection Prioritization Closed* - Inspection Prioritization Questionnaires cannot be submitted at this time. Inspe