Roof inspections in Sea Ranch Lakes, FL

Florida bars an insurer from refusing a homeowner's policy only because the roof is under 15 years old. A roof of 15 years or more is different. Your insurer must allow an authorized inspector, paid by you, to examine it. Once an inspection finds 5 or more years of useful life remaining, age alone cannot be the basis for an insurer to refuse or non-renew coverage.

The 4-point form's roof section records covering, age, remaining life, last permit date, full or partial replacement and overall condition. It also lists damage such as curling, granule loss, exposed felt and soft decking. Citizens asks for the form on properties more than 20 years old. Photos of every slope let it substitute for the separate Citizens roof form.

Citizens also wants documentation of at least five years of remaining life for shingle roofs older than 25 years. With a 1968 median build year here, some roofs may be near that line. For the exact requirements of your own policy, ask your insurer or your agent. We cannot say what it covers.

A roofer's inspection follows what the forms ask: covering, age, remaining life, permit history, damage and leaks. For wind mitigation, it also covers attic items you cannot see, such as deck nailing and roof-to-wall connections, with photos. Broward is in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, so those details carry weight here.

• Before buying or selling a home, so the roof's condition is on paper.
• After your insurer sends a letter about roof age.
• After a storm, to document damage. A new property claim is barred unless notice reaches the insurer within 1 year of the loss date.
• Before any repair, to check the 25 percent rule and pull the permit.

The Village of Sea Ranch Lakes takes roof permit applications through its own permit page. Before work begins, check with the building office to make sure the requirements you have are the current ones.