Welcome to the My Safe Florida Condo Pilot Project

The My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program was enacted during the 2024 Legislative Session. This initiative aims to support eligible condominium associations by providing them with valuable resources to strengthen their properties against hurricane winds. Key elements of the Program include:

1. Free Inspection: Eligible condominium associations will receive a complimentary inspection to identify existing hurricane-resistant features of their buildings. The inspection will also highlight necessary recommendations for improvements to protect against hurricane winds in order to receive reductions in insurance premiums.

2. Grant Funding: In addition to the free inspection, eligible associations can apply for grants to implement specific wind mitigation improvements identified in the free inspection report. These enhancements are designed not only to protect your property from hurricane damage but also to potentially reduce your Wind Insurance Premium. The program offers a reimbursement grant and is eligible after the authorized improvements have been performed and validated by the free final inspection.

Condominium associations located within the Program’s Service Area (15 miles from the coast) are eligible for a free mitigation inspection. This eligibility requires that the board of administration, through a majority vote as stipulated in the Association’s bylaws, consents to receive a free mitigation inspection through the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program.

The Program’s Service Area is defined as the area which is 15 miles inward of the coastline. You are not required to know whether your condominium is within the service area to apply for a free mitigation inspection. Program staff will confirm this during the eligibility review process.

The Program requires condominium associations to apply on behalf of all unit owners to streamline the application process and to address the collective needs of all residents and the property.

The President or Treasurer of the Board will need to provide the Condominium's Association's Name, the Condominium's Association's Address, the Condominium’s Authorized Representative information, the Condominium Property Details, the Condominium Insurance Declaration Page, and the Condominium Board Members’ Voting Results to apply for a free mitigation inspection.

No. Once the association has applied and been approved for a free mitigation inspection, a licensed inspector, contracted by the program will be assigned to you to complete the inspection of your condominium.

Your inspection report will be provided by the designated inspection vendor. After the program has reviewed the report, you will receive an email application to complete and submit a grant application. The application must be approved by a majority of the board of administration or total voting interest. Further, at least 75 percent of all unit owners who reside within the building that is the subject of the mitigation grant must vote in favor of proceeding.

If your initial inspection report indicates that the condominium is already compliant for an insurance premium reduction, you should submit the report and its findings to your insurance agent. Be sure to request a review of your policy to see if you qualify for any available credits or reductions based on this compliance. Your agent will be able to assist you in adjusting your policy accordingly.

Yes, an association is required to choose its own contractors for the mitigation project, provided that each contractor complies with all qualification, certification, and licensing requirements established by general law. It is required that the mitigation project is executed by a properly licensed contractor who has obtained all necessary local permits for the work being performed. Associations can find all licensed Florida Contractors at the Florida Department of Business Professional Regulation website here.

Grant funds may only be used for water intrusion mitigation devices or mitigation improvements that will result in a mitigation credit, discount, or other rate differential for the building or structure to which such device or improvement is applied or made. Opening protection mitigation improvements include: exterior doors; garage doors; windows or skylights. Roof mitigation improvements include: reinforcing roof-to-wall connections; improving the strength of roof-deck attachments; installing secondary water resistance; or replacing the roof covering.

Authorized improvements are detailed in the free mitigation inspection report. Only those projects recommended and provided in your inspection report are eligible for a grant.

Yes. To apply for a grant, the association board must vote to participate in the Program. At least 75% of the unit owners who reside in the building where the work will occur must vote in favor of participation.

When you and your contractor agree your project is completed and contractor local permits are closed, contact DFS at condopilot@myfloridacfo.com and request your final inspection from the program. Our inspector will contact you to confirm a time. They will complete a final inspection and provide you with a FINAL INSPECTION REPORT. Submit this report to your insurance company and request your insurance discount. This is a required step to complete your reimbursement process. Please note that to request the final inspection you must submit an itemized final contractor's invoice, and proof of payment in full.

Once your final inspection is performed you should provide your insurance company with a copy of your final inspection report, including OIR Form 1802 and, if applicable, Building Type II and III Mitigation Inspection Form. Condominium Associations must receive a mitigation credit, discount, or other rate differential to receive grant funding.

The Program provides reimbursement grants with a 2-to-1 state match. For every $1 your association spends, the state contributes $2, up to a total maximum state contribution of $175,000 per condominium association.

No, the program does not provide funds in advance. Recommended improvements must be paid for by the condominium association. To participate in the grant program, associations must submit a grant application to DFS at condopilot@myfloridacfo.com after receiving their initial inspection report. Associations must be approved for a grant before beginning any authorized projects identified in that report.

No. The program assumes no responsibility for the performance of the contractor you select and work with. It will be up to you to find and manage your own eligible contractor and relationship. The program and FL Dept. of Financial Services are not responsible for or involved in any way with the grantee’s contractor selection and/or the grantee construction and payment process.

Associations reserve the right to appeal against any decision made by the Program within 21 days of the notice. Associations are notified of determinations via email, and instructions on how to appeal are provided.

No. Actual construction must not begin until your Grant Application has been approved by the Program. Any work done prior to Grant Application approval will not qualify for grant funding.

To qualify for the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, your condominium must meet all the following requirements:
- The building must be three stories or taller
- It must include at least two residential units per building
- It must be located within 15 miles of the coast
- The building must not consist of detached units on separate parcels

Yes. You must replace all windows that are recommended for improvement to qualify for an insurance discount. You do not need to replace any windows that are already protected, and you will not be reimbursed for any windows that were previously protected and then replaced under the Program.

Grant funds cannot be used to pay an insurance deductible.