Wind-Mitigation Discounts in Louisiana & Mississippi — A Practical Guide to Impact Windows, Doors & FORTIFIED™ Roofs

On the Gulf Coast, smart upgrades can earn real insurance savings — if you document them the right way. This guide explains how homeowners in Louisiana and Mississippi qualify for wind-mitigation discounts using impact windows & doors and a certified FORTIFIED™ roof. You’ll find step-by-step checklists, what paperwork insurers expect, and how our team at Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC) ties everything together during estimates and installs.

Why these discounts exist — and what qualifies

State regulators along the Gulf Coast encourage upgrades that reduce hurricane losses. In Louisiana, admitted insurers are required to offer actuarially justified premium discounts for wind-mitigation features when you document them properly. “Opening protection” like impact-rated windows/doors counts, as do roof system upgrades that resist wind-driven rain and uplift. (Note: amounts vary by company and risk — surplus lines policies are exempt.) Source: Louisiana Department of Insurance.

In Mississippi, the Insurance Department runs a free wind-mitigation inspection program; qualifying improvements can earn discounts with many carriers, and coastal policies written through the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association (MWUA) publish mitigation guidance and credits. MS Insurance Department — mitigation program; MWUA mitigation info.

Louisiana — how to qualify (step-by-step)

Get a wind-mitigation survey. Ask your agent which form they need; Louisiana uses a hurricane loss mitigation survey completed by an approved inspector. This documents features like impact windows/doors, roof-to-wall connections, sealed deck, secondary water barrier, and more. LDI Wind Mitigation Survey — guide.
Choose upgrades with the best ROI. For many homes, it’s a combination: impact windows/doors for opening protection plus a FORTIFIED™ roof at the next reroof.
Document and submit. After we install, we provide product labels, photos, and scope details. Your inspector or evaluator signs off; your agent submits for the discount.
Stack available programs. When funded, the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP) offers up to $10,000 toward a qualifying FORTIFIED™ roof. Registration windows run periodically and select applicants by lottery. LDI — LFHP overview; recent lottery cycles announced in late August/early September. News coverage.

Mississippi — how to qualify (step-by-step)

Request a free wind inspection through the Mississippi Insurance Department’s mitigation program. You’ll receive a report and a signed form estimating potential discounts based on your home’s features. Program details.
Prioritize opening protection + roof. For coastal exposures, we often pair impact windows/doors with a FORTIFIED™ roof at reroof time — two levers insurers recognize.
Submit documentation to your carrier (or MWUA if applicable). MWUA’s filings and manuals describe how mitigation factors into rating on eligible coastal policies. MWUA mitigation.

Opening protection 101 — impact windows vs. shutters

To count as “opening protection,” assemblies must be tested — not just “strong glass.” Look for ASTM E1886/E1996 references or Miami-Dade/TAS approvals on labels and documentation. For a side-by-side of impact windows versus shutters (convenience, energy, maintenance), see our homeowner explainer: Impact Windows vs. Storm Shutters. For energy and structural labels, bookmark the Gulf Coast Window Guide (NFRC, ASTM, DP/PG).

FORTIFIED™ roof shortcuts — grants, paperwork & timing

A FORTIFIED™ roof adds a sealed deck, stronger edges, and verified fastening — the details that usually fail first in Gulf storms. Louisiana’s LFHP can offset costs when lottery rounds are active; separate from grants, Louisiana requires admitted insurers to offer mitigation discounts when you document qualifying features. If you’re deciding whether to reroof now or later, we’ll show you how a FORTIFIED™ scope changes the conversation with underwriters. LDI mitigation discounts.

Real homeowner stories (composite)

1) Mandeville, LA — “We stopped the summer heat and qualified for the discount.”

South- and west-facing rooms were sauna-hot by 3 p.m. We replaced aging units with impact-rated vinyl windows tuned for lower SHGC and laminated glass. An approved inspector verified opening protection and completed the Louisiana wind-mitigation survey; the carrier applied a wind-portion discount at renewal. Comfort improved immediately — blinds open, glare down — and the paperwork was painless because we labeled photos and model numbers for the agent.

2) Gulfport, MS — “The free inspection told us exactly what to fix.”

A coastal cottage had patchwork upgrades after Katrina. The owners scheduled Mississippi’s free wind-mitigation inspection, which flagged unprotected rear openings and loose gable vents. We installed impact french doors and sealed attic penetrations. Their inspector updated the form and the insurer recognized the changes; maintenance chores moved to once-a-season rinses and quick latch checks. MS mitigation program.

3) Baton Rouge, LA — “Reroof + paperwork = smoother renewal.”

The roof was due anyway, so we upgraded to a FORTIFIED™ roof with a sealed deck and reinforced edges. The independent evaluator’s packet made renewal simple — photos, nailing schedules, and the roof-deck sealing sequence. The agent submitted the survey and the wind credit showed up on the binder. Timing the reroof before peak season helped keep crews and materials on schedule.

Documents & photos your insurer will ask for

Impact windows/doors — NFRC label shots, glass etchings or certification sheets, frame/anchor details, and a simple diagram of protected openings.
FORTIFIED™ roof — evaluator’s certificate, sealed deck photos, edge reinforcement details, nailing schedule snippets, and permit/final inspection references.
Survey/inspection forms — Louisiana wind-mitigation survey; Mississippi wind-inspection report (with estimated credits). Agents love tidy PDFs.
Before/after photos — room and elevation shots that link clearly to the plan numbers on your quote.

Tip: We package this for you and keep a copy on file so future renewals or real-estate disclosures are straightforward.

FAQ — timelines, brands, inspections

How long does the discount process take?

Windows/doors are typically a 1–2 day install on standard homes; roof timing depends on scope and weather. Surveys and evaluator visits add some days. Carriers usually apply discounts at renewal or by endorsement once forms are submitted.

Do I have to do everything at once?

No. Many homeowners start with opening protection in the most exposed rooms, then tackle the roof when it’s due. We can phase projects by elevation and keep documentation aligned across phases.

What about shutters instead of impact glass?

Shutters qualify when deployed, but many homeowners prefer the year-round comfort and security of laminated impact glass. Compare options in our Impact Windows vs. Storm Shutters explainer.

Is there a grant for windows?

Current Louisiana grants focus on FORTIFIED™ roofs (LFHP). Windows/doors earn insurer discounts as “opening protection” when properly documented; they’re not covered by LFHP funding. LDI — LFHP.

Ready to see your options? Tell us about your address and goals — we’ll measure, match glass and roof specs to your exposures, and prepare a clean packet your insurer can use for wind-mitigation discounts. Request a free estimate or call: Northshore (985) 643-6611 • Capital Area (225) 766-4244 • Mississippi Gulf Coast (228) 467-7484.