The new legislation in Florida for roof insurance claims has affected how homeowners can make sure their roofs are covered.
If you have a shingle or tile roof make sure you know how old it is. Insurance companies now rarely want to insure a shingle roof over 15 years old or a tile roof over 23.
Watch this YouTube short about this policy concern we are currently facing:
Recent Roofing Concerns and Legislation
After a rising number of homeowners had their insurance policies canceled — or had insurers refuse to offer them coverage — simply due to the age of their roof, the Florida state legislature implemented new roof requirements for homeowners insurance in Florida in May 2022.
Here is a brief overview of reforms Florida lawmakers proposed in the state’s property insurance market:
– Create a $2 billion fund to insulate insurers from risk.
– Homeowners with roofs under 15 years old can get coverage.
– Roofs with more than 25 percent damage would be repaired rather than replaced
– Many properties will qualify to get grants up to $10,000 to retrofit homes, making them less susceptible to hurricane damage.
– Insurance providers can include a roof deductible of up to two percent of the dwelling limit.
– Limits to attorney fees in lawsuits against insurance companies.
– Roofing companies could no longer advertise by going door to door or handing out flyers.
One highlight of this new legislation is that insurance companies can’t deny homeowners insurance on a roof less than 15 years old. Instead, the homeowner can arrange for a professional roof inspection. And if the assessment shows at least five years of life remaining, the insurer cannot deny full coverage. If fewer than five years are left, you may need to replace the entire roof.
How to Protect Your Home’s Roof
Tropical storms and hurricanes are common occurrences in Florida. In addition, roofs in Florida take a lot of beating from the intense sunshine and high humidity. Therefore, it makes sense to maximize your roof’s protection.
The first step is to arrange for an annual roof inspection before hurricane season starts. You can look for signs of damage like missing shingles, blocked gutters, rot, or rust (on metal roofs). You should also ensure that gutters and flashing are securely fitted.
Also, seal any cracks or holes outside your home. Driving rain and strong winds can force water up walls and into the tiniest cracks. Additionally, hurricane winds will severely damage any loosely fitting doors or windows.
It is vital to ensure that water travels away from your property. Therefore, clean gutters annually or twice yearly to ensure that water flows freely from your property. Water entering your house under the eaves can cause rot, dampness, and mold.
Understanding Florida’s home insurance roof requirements is necessary in order to properly understand your homeowner’s insurance. Your roof’s age, the materials it was made of, and whether your insurer offers alternatives like stated value limit coverage or a roof surface reimbursement schedule for older roofs can all have a big influence on your premium.
Your insurance claims may be significantly impacted by the recently enacted legislation in Florida which may let insurance companies make repairs rather than replace significant portions of someone’s roof that was damaged by a hurricane.
By following this home maintenance guide, you’ll be able to understand ways to maintain your roof to stay covered. If you want to learn more real estate tips, stay updated by reading our other blog posts here.