Roof inspections in Progress Village, FL

Under Fla. Stat. 627.7011(5), your insurer cannot turn you away solely because a roof is under 15 years old. At 15 years or more, you may pay an authorized inspector to examine the roof. When that report shows at least 5 years of useful life, the insurer cannot use age alone to refuse or non-renew you.

Your insurer decides which inspectors it recognizes. The statute names home inspectors, building code inspectors, general or roofing contractors, engineers and architects. Ask your insurer or agent for its list. The 4.4 percent of homes here that are mobile homes should ask directly, because Senate staff note this section does not apply to mobile home policies.

An inspection for an insurer covers what the 4-point form asks: covering material, roof age, remaining useful life, permit history and overall condition. The damage list includes cracking, curling, granule loss, exposed felt, loose tabs, soft decking and attic leaks.

Good times to schedule one are before a purchase or sale, after an insurer letter about roof age, or following a heavy storm. Hurricane Eta in 2020 dropped up to 10.64 inches of rain near Sun City Center, so look for attic stains after rain like that. A new claim has to reach your insurer within 1 year of the date of loss.

Be careful with unsolicited offers. Under Fla. Stat. 489.147, a roofer may not give you anything of value for allowing an inspection, and may not advise you on coverage. Ask your insurer or agent what your policy does, and take those questions to them, not to a contractor.