Reroofing, insurance and wind mitigation in Florida

What a replacement must include

Section 553.844 states that a roof replacement on a site-built single-family home must incorporate the secondary water barrier and roof-deck attachment techniques the section specifies. In the wind-borne debris region, buildings insured or valued at $300,000 or more must add roof-to-wall connections at gable ends or corners when that can be done for 15 percent of the roof replacement cost. Where a roof was built, repaired or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or later and 25 percent or more of it is repaired, replaced or recovered, only that portion must meet the current code, and local governments may not amend this. The Florida Building Code Existing Building reroofing text itself was not read for this draft.

Roof age and your policy

Section 627.7011(5) states that an insurer may not refuse to issue or renew a homeowner's policy solely because a roof is less than 15 years old. For a roof at least 15 years old, the homeowner may obtain an inspection at their own expense before replacement is required, and five or more years of remaining useful life bars a refusal based on age alone. Underwriting for reasons other than roof age is outside this reference.

What the state inspection form credits

The Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form OIR-B1-1802, revision 04/26, is adopted by Rule 69O-170.0155 and is valid for up to five years absent a material change, with at least one photo or document supporting each attribute in questions 2 to 9. Its roof questions cover the design-wind region by ASCE 7-22, grouped as HVHZ, 140 mph and above, 130 to 139 mph and under 130 mph; roof slope; roof covering type with a permit date or an FBC or Miami-Dade approval number; deck attachment by nail size and spacing or by uplift resistance at 55, 103 or 182 psf; roof-to-wall connection as toenails, clips or single and double wraps by uplift capacity; roof geometry; and a sealed roof deck or secondary water resistance. The form states that covering compliance answer A requires FBC or Miami-Dade approval at installation, a permit application on or after 3/1/02, or an original roof built 2004 or later, and that standard underlayment or hot-mopped felt does not qualify as secondary water resistance. FORTIFIED Roof, Silver or Gold certificates may validate several roof questions. Qualified inspectors include licensed home inspectors with mitigation training, building code inspectors, general, building or residential contractors, engineers and architects; a roofing contractor is not listed by class. Discount amounts are set by insurers and the OIR credit forms, not by the form itself.

That list is worth reading before a reroof rather than after, because several of the credited attributes, the deck attachment, the roof-to-wall connection and the sealed deck, are decided while the roof is open.

The state grant programme

My Safe Florida Home states free wind mitigation inspections and potential eligibility for up to $10,000 in grant funding for approved upgrades. The roof-related upgrades it names are roof-to-deck attachment, roof-to-wall connections and secondary water resistance, and Roof Improvements is a grant category. A full roof replacement is not named on the homepage. Eligibility, match terms and the current application status are on linked pages this draft did not read.

How a contractor may and may not approach you

Section 489.147 states that contractors may not solicit residential owners through advertisements about roof-damage claims that lack three required disclosures, may not offer anything of value for a roof inspection or claim, may not pay or take referral compensation, may not interpret policies or adjust claims unless a licensed public adjuster, and may not give a repair authorization without an itemized estimate. Violations carry discipline and fines up to $10,000 each. It also states that roof contracts must carry a notice of the inducement ban, a 10-day cancellation right after a declared emergency within 180 days, and a bold notice to consult the insurer first. This draft makes no compliance finding about any contractor.