A fairly new program could spell savings on home insurance premiums for some Orange and Osceola County homeowners.In our Project CommUNITY, one resident says he's seen significant savings.Eddie Lee, 82, has learned to do a lot of things on his own but his nephew James is always checking on his uncle who is legally blind.Lee is an Army veteran who has lived in this same house in Robinswood in Orange County for 50 years and like every other homeowner:"My insurance had went sky high," Lee said. But by word of mouth, he heard about Habitat for Humanity's wind mitigation and four-point inspection program. He qualified for a free voucher to do the inspections. What happened next even surprised him."It cut my total premium in half. (It) also cut my payments in half,” Lee said.Related: 2 insurance companies seek premium hikes of more than 50% for Florida homeowners Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando and Osceola County has operated the program for about a year now.The four-point inspection centers around: HVAC heating, ventilation and air conditioningElectrical systemsRoofingA wind mitigation inspection examines your home's resistance to wind and hurricane damage and identifies other potential issues.Liz Alicea-Madera is the vice president of programs for Habitat."They can run as much as $300 for the two inspections, and we provide that voucher for free," Alicea-Madera said. In Lee's case, he just had his roof replaced about two years ago and if you've done so recently:"This is the perfect time to actually take advantage of that because for the most part of a lot of insurance companies can give you a break,” Alicea-Madera said.And just so you know, Lee is not a Habitat homeowner, and you don't have to be either, but there are eligibility requirements which includes:You must meet the income requirement.The home must be your primary residence.You must be in Orange or Osceola County.Being on a fixed income, Lee says it has made all the difference."It helps in all kinds of ways. When I'm buying groceries and stuff like that, I don't have to penny pinch," Lee said. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando and Osceola County is accepting applications right now for the wind mitigation and four-point inspections. If you want to know more, go to this website. Top headlines: School District: Student's head injury 'possibly caused by vape' in brawl at Central Florida school Great Danes being investigated as dangerous after several attacks in St. Cloud Police: South Florida mall secure after reports of shots fired
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A fairly new program could spell savings on home insurance premiums for some Orange and Osceola County homeowners.
In our Project CommUNITY, one resident says he's seen significant savings.
Eddie Lee, 82, has learned to do a lot of things on his own but his nephew James is always checking on his uncle who is legally blind.
Lee is an Army veteran who has lived in this same house in Robinswood in Orange County for 50 years and like every other homeowner:
"My insurance had went sky high," Lee said.
But by word of mouth, he heard about Habitat for Humanity's wind mitigation and four-point inspection program.
He qualified for a free voucher to do the inspections. What happened next even surprised him.
"It cut my total premium in half. (It) also cut my payments in half,” Lee said.
Related: 2 insurance companies seek premium hikes of more than 50% for Florida homeowners
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando and Osceola County has operated the program for about a year now.
The four-point inspection centers around:
- HVAC heating, ventilation and air conditioning
- Electrical systems
- Roofing
A wind mitigation inspection examines your home's resistance to wind and hurricane damage and identifies other potential issues.
Liz Alicea-Madera is the vice president of programs for Habitat.
"They can run as much as $300 for the two inspections, and we provide that voucher for free," Alicea-Madera said.
In Lee's case, he just had his roof replaced about two years ago and if you've done so recently:
"This is the perfect time to actually take advantage of that because for the most part of a lot of insurance companies can give you a break,” Alicea-Madera said.
And just so you know, Lee is not a Habitat homeowner, and you don't have to be either, but there are eligibility requirements which includes:
- You must meet the income requirement.
- The home must be your primary residence.
- You must be in Orange or Osceola County.
Being on a fixed income, Lee says it has made all the difference.
"It helps in all kinds of ways. When I'm buying groceries and stuff like that, I don't have to penny pinch," Lee said.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando and Osceola County is accepting applications right now for the wind mitigation and four-point inspections.
If you want to know more, go to this website.
Top headlines: