Roof inspections in Country Club, FL

Under Fla. Stat. 627.7011(5), an insurer cannot refuse or non-renew a homeowner's policy solely because the roof is under 15 years old. After the 15th year, your insurer has to permit a roof check by an authorized inspector you hire yourself. A result showing 5 or more years of useful life left blocks a refusal or non-renewal based only on age.

The statute names who counts as an authorized inspector: insurer-accepted home inspectors, building code inspectors, roofing contractors, engineers and architects. Before you pay anyone in Country Club, ask your insurer or agent whether that person is on its accepted list.

Citizens Property Insurance sets a separate line. It wants proof of five years of remaining life for shingle roofs past 25 years and for tile or metal roofs past 50 years. For homes over 20 years old it also requires the 4-point inspection, which includes a roof section.

The 4-point roof section records covering material, roof age, remaining useful life, last permit date, and overall condition. The damage list includes cracked or missing tiles, curling, granule loss, soft decking and attic leaks. Your inspector should photograph each slope.

• Buying: order the inspection before closing, since the roof may decide whether you can get a policy.
• Selling: a current report on remaining life answers a buyer's insurer early.
• Insurer letter: have an authorized inspector assess the roof, as the 15-year rule allows.
• After a storm: Miami-Dade County had a hurricane warning for Dorian in 2019 and Irma damage in 2017, so check for lifted or missing covering.

For permit history, ask Miami-Dade County Regulatory and Economic Resources, Building & Permits, which issues roof permits for this unincorporated area. Because the county is in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, the roof covering and its attachment get close scrutiny.