If you’re a Florida homeowner, the age of your roof could affect your home insurance renewal. As insurers tighten their underwriting criteria, older roofs are facing new scrutiny. But what exactly are the rules? What rights do you have? And what can you do to protect your coverage?
What Florida Law Says About Roof Age
Florida law offers some protection for homeowners. According to Florida Statute 627.7011, insurers cannot deny or nonrenew a homeowners policy solely because the roof is less than 15 years old. If your roof is 15 years or older, you have the right to submit a roof inspection showing at least 5 years of remaining useful life (RUL). If that report is accepted, the insurer must continue coverage.
This inspection can be conducted by an “authorized inspector,” now including licensed roofing contractors under House Bill 1611, effective July 2024.
How Nonrenewals Are Playing Out in Practice
Recent reporting from Tampa Bay Times (Aug 2025) and WPTV (2024) shows many homeowners are being pushed to replace roofs earlier than expected. Some receive nonrenewal letters or are warned their aging roof may impact future coverage—even when the roof is still functional.
A report by Axios Tampa Bay (June 2025) noted that Citizens Property Insurance dropped 90,000 policies in the Tampa Bay area alone. While not all were due to roof age, many involved risk exposure factors tied to older roofs.
What Changed in the Past Year?
Florida Roof Rule Updates: Last 12 Months
- Citizens adopted a one-time Roof Age Eligibility Exception for commercial properties (Jun 2024)
- HB 1611 expanded inspector options and increased insurer reporting requirements (Jul 2024)
- Tampa Bay media spotlighted rising homeowner concern over older roofs
Why Roof Age Matters to Insurers
Roofs are one of the largest claims drivers during hurricane season. Older roofs—especially those with asphalt shingles—may not meet modern wind resistance standards. Insurers factor this into their underwriting decisions.
Insurify and WUSF reported in July 2025 that Florida leads the U.S. in home insurance nonrenewals, with a 280% increase since 2018. Though roof age isn’t always the main factor, it’s commonly cited.
What Homeowners Can Do
- Know your roof’s age and keep records of replacements or major repairs
- Get an inspection if your roof is 15+ years old
- Use a licensed roofing contractor to document remaining useful life
- Upgrade roofing materials where possible to meet Florida Building Code
- Check Citizens’ roof age exception rules if you’re a policyholder
Consumer Rights and Protection
Under current law, your insurer must provide a reason for any nonrenewal. If your roof is under 15 years old, and you receive a nonrenewal notice citing roof age, you may have legal grounds to challenge it.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) requires insurers to notify the state when nonrenewing more than 10,000 policies—but these notices don’t break down reasons publicly.
Final Word: Stay Ahead of Roof Age Issues
In Florida, roof age is no longer just a maintenance issue… it’s a key part of insurance eligibility. Don’t wait for a nonrenewal letter. Talk to your insurance agent, check your roof’s age, and get ahead of any inspection needs.
For help understanding your policy or setting up a roof inspection, contact your local GreatFlorida Insurance agent today.
Florida Compliance Note: This article provides general guidance. For exact policy terms or legal interpretations, refer to your policy documents or visit www.floir.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Florida’s 15-year roof rule?
It prevents insurers from refusing to cover a home solely because the roof is under 15 years old. For roofs 15+ years old, homeowners can get an inspection to show 5+ years of remaining life.
2. Can my insurance be canceled because my roof is old?
Yes, but only if the roof is 15+ years old and does not pass a certified inspection showing sufficient remaining life.
3. What is a roof’s Remaining Useful Life (RUL)?
RUL is the estimated number of years your roof will last based on a certified inspection.
4. Who can inspect my roof for insurance in Florida?
Licensed roofing or general contractors, home inspectors, or engineers—per HB 1611 passed in 2024.
5. What should I do if I get a nonrenewal notice?
Contact your agent, request the reason in writing, and if it’s due to roof age, consider submitting an RUL inspection.
