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Roof Requirements for Homeowners Insurance in Florida

When it comes to homeowners insurance in Florida, you’re likely to feel frustrated. The truth is that it isn’t easy to find a policy. This is true for a couple of reasons. First, we know that homeowners are at high risk of hurricane and storm damage due to the state’s coastal location. As a result, premiums are often higher, and depending on their specific location, it may be difficult to find coverage. To make things even more difficult, Florida residents need to understand roof requirements for homeowners insurance. If your roof is too old or in poor condition, you may be denied coverage until you repair or replace your roof.

Luckily, FIB Insurance is here to help you stay covered! Read on to learn everything you need to know about roof requirements for homeowners insurance in Florida. Afterward, remember to explore your options by requesting a free quote for a new homeowners insurance policy with FIB Insurance.

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Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Damage?

The roof is one of the most expensive parts of a home to replace or repair, leading many homeowners to wonder whether or not homeowners insurance covers roof damage.

The good news is that, yes, in most cases, homeowners insurance does cover roof damage if the damage is caused by a covered peril, which typically includes hazards like fires, strong winds, and hail.

When purchasing homeowners insurance, insurance providers may want to perform a roof inspection. During this inspection, they may consider several factors, including:

● Roof materials (e.g. shingles, metal, tile)

● Roof shape

● Roof age

● Overhang

● Condition

Your roof is covered by the dwelling coverage included in your homeowners insurance policy. Dwelling coverage helps pay to repair or replace your home’s primary structure when it is damaged by a covered peril.

However, home insurance does not cover damages caused by neglect or poor maintenance. So, for example, if your roof collapses due to wear and tear or lack of maintenance, then your home insurance policy will likely not cover the damages.

Roof Requirements for Homeowners Insurance in Florida

Hurricanes and tropical storms are more common in Florida than elsewhere in the United States, and as a result, many home insurance carriers have roof requirements in place to reduce their risk.

In the past, many Florida homeowners would find themselves being denied coverage or have their coverage canceled due to the age or condition of their roofs.

Recognizing that this made it difficult for homeowners to find and keep affordable coverage, Florida legislators recently introduced new laws regarding roof requirements for homeowners insurance.

Now, homeowners cannot be denied coverage based on their roof’s age as long as their roof is less than 15 years old. If their roof is 15 years or older, then they can request an inspection to evaluate the condition of their roof. If the inspection reveals that the roof has five or more years of useful life left, then they can’t be denied coverage.

Homeowners whose roofs are too old or in poor condition may qualify for a $10,000 grant that they can use to retrofit their homes, helping them qualify for insurance and protecting their homes against hurricanes.

These new laws also state that roofs can be repaired rather than replaced even when the roof is more than 25 percent damaged. This change aims to ease the financial impact on insurers when a homeowner makes a claim, making it less risky for carriers to insure Florida homes.

Florida plans to insulate insurers from risk further by establishing a $2 billion reinsurance program.

Florida Roof Maintenance Checklist

As hurricanes and tropical storms are such common occurrences in Florida, homeowners should take steps to maintain the quality of their roofs and protect their roofs against damages caused by natural disasters.

To protect your roof against hurricanes and tropical storms, you should:

● Regularly clean your gutters to prevent water backup.

● Clean your roof and remove debris.

● Arrange an annual roof inspection to evaluate the condition of your roof.

● Inspect flashing to ensure it is properly installed and sealed.

● Limit moss and algae growth.

● Remove nearby tree branches as they can damage shingles.

● Inspect your ceiling and attic to check for staining and water intrusion points.

Not only can doing this help protect your roof, but it can also help you secure more favorable homeowners insurance coverage.

FIB Insurance Has Florida Covered

We hope this guide to roofing requirements helps you in your search for the perfect homeowners insurance policy! As you can see, ensuring that your roof is relatively new and in good condition can make it easier to find a policy that meets your budget and coverage needs.

Located in the heart of Miami, our tight-knit team at FIB Insurance helps residents find comprehensive homeowner insurance policies that protect their homes and personal belongings against the most common hazards in the Sunshine State.

To learn more, contact us today for a free custom quote!

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