I sure would appreciate some expert opinions on whether or not this proposed change would be a plus or a negative. My first reaction is that the change may not significantly help the insurance industry or for that matter the insurance consumers. I will continue to review to get a better understanding of the proposal and impacts. Onballot.com may post something on this matter after I have formulated a justified opinion.
Here\’s an eye-opening figure for you. Homes that have been built (or retrofitted) to include some or all of the more stringent building codes have a survival rate of anywhere from 4% – 73% higher than those constructed to lower standards. The 4% increase is only if shutters are added. To get to the max level would require shutters, reinforced garage doors, and roof staps/reinforcement.
I recently analyzed this same issue. For Hurricane Wilma, if all of our insured homes within 5 miles of the coast in FL had these mitigation techniques applied, we would have saved up to $165 million in claims expense. And that takes into account the roughly 14% of homes that IBHS indicates ARE up to the strict 2001 building code standards.
I live a few miles from the Beach and all nearby homes are about 10-15 years old. My home is a wooden structure that made it through 3 storms with minor shingle problems; I did not cover my windows with plywood (many folks did); double glass seemed to help/or I was lucky; but I lost my pool enclosure with Charlie; my neighbor had recently had his enclosure professionally reanchored….but he lost his pool enclosure also. What I am attempting to say many home owners add protection (plywood)(bracking on the overhead doors) so these substandard homes with protection by owner my not have been considered. I saw new roofs gone yet old roofs remained; yes the dimensional shingles were a big help but many of the lost roofs were very old.
In conclusion yes there will be a long term benefit of having better structures but if the windows are covered with plywood I believe the overall damage would be reduced. Experienced Florida residents typically make some effort to cut back trees and protect windows. New homes are being constructed to a good standard but the cost of retro fixing old homes may need to be further studied. We have 50 and 100 year homes in Daytona Beach that had little or no problem. We had beach side homes that only lost power for a few hours.
As I drove from Southwest Florida into the area really damaged by Charlie I noticed that the homes damaged were very old and very far from the coast. Maybe the need for better inspection of existing homes would be the first way to cut insurance claims, give home owners a reality check on the condition of their shingles and wind damage potentials.
I am most concerned about the secondary damage due to loss of power/mold!!!
Lets keep talking about this matter maybe someone with another point of view will give me a better understanding on the relationship of building codes/workmanship/and general maintenance by the homeowners. Thanks again for your great information.
I am disappointed in the lack of enforcement of this code. Also, Hurricanes move inland further than 1 or 5 miles, – many extend 100 to 200 miles. Your Florida Code has become a political joke.
I live in brevard county and work in indian river county, so my input is based on my experience here. Our office handled hundreds of claims in 2004, old homes, new homes, beachside, etc. they all fared about the same, poorly. The only exceptions were roofs under 5yrs old, and homes/roofs put together by \”old school\” workmanship, not spec home builders and cut rate workers cashing in another subdivision.
Here in Volusia the storms mostly took shingles, but a few mobile homes are still looking pretty sick/blue tarps; most were due to trees coming down on homes; I was surprised to learn how many long term residents braced the garage door before each storm. My double glass windows were really stressed; I lost my screen enclosure so you know it was about 90mph for a few seconds. Charlie We need more local roofing contractors that are not just passing through. Are you knowledgeable of the 6 nail rule..and how did the staples work, At least one sheet of my roof was lifting during the storm and it went \”bang\” when the wind slowed/ I have not found the loose plywood sheeting. I really need a detailed inspection of my internal roof structure but twice in the two years contractors working on replacing all my duct work ended up damaging ceilings by stepping wrong/due to deep insulation. Thanks I appreciate the information.
Garage door failures were minimal. Ridge vent failure was very prevelant in new homes with no structure damage.(poor workmanship/design flaws) 6\” nails or better are required for roofs put on 03-01-02 or later in Brevard county. Staples did little to hold shingles on. FYI homes and roofs must meet 120+ wind/impact, however shingles need only be rated for 70mph!
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I sure would appreciate some expert opinions on whether or not this proposed change would be a plus or a negative. My first reaction is that the change may not significantly help the insurance industry or for that matter the insurance consumers. I will continue to review to get a better understanding of the proposal and impacts. Onballot.com may post something on this matter after I have formulated a justified opinion.
Here\’s an eye-opening figure for you. Homes that have been built (or retrofitted) to include some or all of the more stringent building codes have a survival rate of anywhere from 4% – 73% higher than those constructed to lower standards. The 4% increase is only if shutters are added. To get to the max level would require shutters, reinforced garage doors, and roof staps/reinforcement.
I recently analyzed this same issue. For Hurricane Wilma, if all of our insured homes within 5 miles of the coast in FL had these mitigation techniques applied, we would have saved up to $165 million in claims expense. And that takes into account the roughly 14% of homes that IBHS indicates ARE up to the strict 2001 building code standards.
You tell me…difference?
I live a few miles from the Beach and all nearby homes are about 10-15 years old. My home is a wooden structure that made it through 3 storms with minor shingle problems; I did not cover my windows with plywood (many folks did); double glass seemed to help/or I was lucky; but I lost my pool enclosure with Charlie; my neighbor had recently had his enclosure professionally reanchored….but he lost his pool enclosure also. What I am attempting to say many home owners add protection (plywood)(bracking on the overhead doors) so these substandard homes with protection by owner my not have been considered. I saw new roofs gone yet old roofs remained; yes the dimensional shingles were a big help but many of the lost roofs were very old.
In conclusion yes there will be a long term benefit of having better structures but if the windows are covered with plywood I believe the overall damage would be reduced. Experienced Florida residents typically make some effort to cut back trees and protect windows. New homes are being constructed to a good standard but the cost of retro fixing old homes may need to be further studied. We have 50 and 100 year homes in Daytona Beach that had little or no problem. We had beach side homes that only lost power for a few hours.
As I drove from Southwest Florida into the area really damaged by Charlie I noticed that the homes damaged were very old and very far from the coast. Maybe the need for better inspection of existing homes would be the first way to cut insurance claims, give home owners a reality check on the condition of their shingles and wind damage potentials.
I am most concerned about the secondary damage due to loss of power/mold!!!
Lets keep talking about this matter maybe someone with another point of view will give me a better understanding on the relationship of building codes/workmanship/and general maintenance by the homeowners. Thanks again for your great information.
I am disappointed in the lack of enforcement of this code. Also, Hurricanes move inland further than 1 or 5 miles, – many extend 100 to 200 miles. Your Florida Code has become a political joke.
I live in brevard county and work in indian river county, so my input is based on my experience here. Our office handled hundreds of claims in 2004, old homes, new homes, beachside, etc. they all fared about the same, poorly. The only exceptions were roofs under 5yrs old, and homes/roofs put together by \”old school\” workmanship, not spec home builders and cut rate workers cashing in another subdivision.
Here in Volusia the storms mostly took shingles, but a few mobile homes are still looking pretty sick/blue tarps; most were due to trees coming down on homes; I was surprised to learn how many long term residents braced the garage door before each storm. My double glass windows were really stressed; I lost my screen enclosure so you know it was about 90mph for a few seconds. Charlie We need more local roofing contractors that are not just passing through. Are you knowledgeable of the 6 nail rule..and how did the staples work, At least one sheet of my roof was lifting during the storm and it went \”bang\” when the wind slowed/ I have not found the loose plywood sheeting. I really need a detailed inspection of my internal roof structure but twice in the two years contractors working on replacing all my duct work ended up damaging ceilings by stepping wrong/due to deep insulation. Thanks I appreciate the information.
Garage door failures were minimal. Ridge vent failure was very prevelant in new homes with no structure damage.(poor workmanship/design flaws) 6\” nails or better are required for roofs put on 03-01-02 or later in Brevard county. Staples did little to hold shingles on. FYI homes and roofs must meet 120+ wind/impact, however shingles need only be rated for 70mph!
more info from floridabuilding.org