Roof inspections in Lutz, FL

Fla. Stat. 627.7011(5) protects roofs under 15 years old: the insurer may not turn down or non-renew a policy solely for roof age. At 15 years or more, your insurer must allow an authorized inspector you hire to examine the roof. A report showing 5 or more years of useful life left blocks a refusal based only on age.

Citizens requires a 4-point inspection on properties more than 20 years old, and that form has a roof section. It records the material, roof age, remaining life, last permit date, full or partial replacement, condition and damage. With a median build year of 1990, many Lutz homes fall in that group.

Citizens asks for documentation of at least five years of remaining useful life on shingle roofs older than 25 years, and on hard roofs such as tile or metal older than 50 years. Ask your agent which line applies to your policy.

The inspector works through the items the insurer forms list: cracking, curling, granule loss, exposed felt, missing or loose tabs or tiles, soft decking, and leaks in the attic or on ceilings. For a wind mitigation form, the attic items matter too: deck nailing, roof-to-wall connections and any sealed roof deck.

Get one ordered when you're buying or selling, when your insurer mails you a notice about how old your roof is, or once a storm has passed. Tampa Bay storms such as Irma in 2017 and Eta in 2020 reached Hillsborough County, and a claim for new or reopened damage must reach your insurer within 1 year of the loss.

Under Florida law, a roofer cannot offer you anything of value in exchange for an inspection, and cannot advise you on what your coverage includes. Your insurer or agent is the right source for what your policy covers, so put that to them directly.