Florida needs more wind protection efforts. Researchers have some bold ideas. Clio

Florida has the largest wind protection grant program in the nation, providing more than $300 million to homeowners over the past few years and providing insurance premium discounts to thousands.

But this is not enough. The program does not target enough properties to provide the greatest benefit to insurance companies, homeowners and the national interest. Too many insureds and builders fail to see the rewards of retrofitting their homes or building stronger structures in states with the most hurricanes.

That’s according to Florida professors, actuaries and insurance industry figures who participated in a panel discussion at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulatory Insurance Summit in Tallahassee on April 15-16.

Charles Nyce, a professor of risk management and insurance at Florida State University, said the main reason for limited participation in hardening programs is the upfront cost of building homes to “code plus” standards, which exceed most state building codes and survive storms.

Building to true hurricane-resistant standards could add $20,000 to $30,000 to the cost, he said. (The My Safe Florida Home grant program only offers matching grants up to $10,000.)

“It’s a hard sell,” Nice said.

But he said new programs and new incentives could change that. In a paper published in November 2025, Nyce and other professors made some bold suggestions:

Develop a grading system for homes and their storm-proofing measures. Comprehensive measures will result in a higher rating, which can be used to market the property and obtain lower-cost loans.

Launch a pilot program to encourage mortgage lenders and insurance companies to fund home reinforcements. States can incentivize lenders to amortize mitigation costs upfront and/or over a longer period. Banks can offer lower interest rates on homes that are exempt.

Citizens Property Insurance policyholders should be required to participate in the Mitigation Grant Program.

Strengthen building codes.

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Florida