Roof inspections in Ocean Ridge, FL

Fla. Stat. 627.7011(5) bars an insurer from declining a policy solely because the roof is under 15 years old. Once a roof reaches 15 years or more, the insurer has to let you hire an authorized inspector to examine it, and you cover that cost. If that inspection shows 5 or more years of useful life remaining, the insurer may not refuse or non-renew because of age alone.

The roof section of the 4-point form records the covering material, roof age, remaining useful life, last permit date, whether the replacement was full or partial, and overall condition. Include photos of every roof slope with the report. On properties more than 20 years old, Citizens asks that a 4-point inspection be submitted. That covers most of Ocean Ridge by the 1974 median.

For shingle roofs older than 25 years, Citizens additionally wants documentation showing at least five years of remaining life. Tile, concrete and metal roofs get a 50-year line. To learn what your own policy covers, check with your insurer or agent.

An inspector looks for cracking, curling, heavy granule loss, exposed felt, missing or loose tabs, soft decking and leaks in the attic or on ceilings. For wind mitigation, the attic items matter too: deck nailing, roof-to-wall connectors and any sealed roof deck. You cannot see those from the ground.

• Buying or selling: get the roof's age and condition in writing before closing.
• An insurer letter naming roof age: order the inspection the 15-year rule lets you have.
• After a storm: check the roof once the wind is gone and before the next rain.
• Before a long seasonal absence: catch small leaks while you can still fix them.

Confirm any permit history with Ocean Ridge Building & Zoning. If nothing material changes on the structure, the wind mitigation form, OIR-B1-1802, remains valid for up to five years.