Question 1

Can my insurance company really drop me because of my roof's age?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes, but Florida law limits when. Under Florida Statute 627.7011, an insurer may not refuse to issue or renew a homeowners policy solely because of roof age while the roof is under 15 years old, and for roofs 15 or older, an inspection documenting 5 or more years of useful life means age alone can't disqualify the home. The word 'solely' carries the weight: a carrier can still nonrenew or decline for other documented reasons, like the roof's actual condition. It's a widespread squeeze, not a personal one: a December 2024 US Senate Budget Committee report found Florida leads the nation in homeowner nonrenewals, a 2.99 percent rate, up about 280 percent since 2018, with roof age widely reported as the top driver. The practical answer is usually shopping the wider market, not fighting one carrier.

Question 2

What exactly does Florida's 15-year roof rule say?

Accepted Answer

Florida Statute 627.7011 says an insurer may not refuse to issue or refuse to renew a homeowners policy insuring a residential structure solely because of the roof's age if the roof is less than 15 years old. For a roof 15 years or older, the homeowner has the right to have the roof inspected by an authorized inspector, and if the inspection shows the roof has 5 years or more of useful life remaining, the insurer may not refuse to insure the home solely because of roof age. It is not a guarantee of coverage or price: carriers can decline for other documented reasons, and the statute doesn't cap premiums.

Question 3

My roof is over 15 years old. What are my options?

Accepted Answer

Start with the inspection right: an authorized inspector documents the roof's remaining useful life, and 5 or more years means age alone can't disqualify you under Florida Statute 627.7011. From there, an independent agent can shop carriers whose underwriting accepts documented older roofs, and if the standard market says no, surplus lines programs with no roof age limit exist for exactly this situation. Replacing the roof is the other lever, and it often helps both eligibility and price, but it's not the only path.

Question 4

What is a roof condition inspection and who does it?

Accepted Answer

It's a written report on your roof's condition and remaining useful life, prepared by an inspector authorized under Florida law to perform roof inspections. For a roof 15 years or older, that report is your statutory lever: 5 or more years of documented useful life means an insurer can't refuse the home solely over the roof's age. Many inspectors offer it alongside a wind mitigation or 4-point inspection, so it's worth asking for every form you need in one visit. Your agent can tell you which reports your situation actually calls for.

Question 5

What's the difference between a wind mitigation inspection and a 4-point?

Accepted Answer

They answer different questions. A wind mitigation inspection (Form OIR-B1-1802) documents wind-resistant features of your home and can qualify you for premium credits under Florida law. A 4-point inspection is a condition snapshot of four systems: roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Carriers commonly request a 4-point on older homes before writing them. Neither one is the roof condition report that exercises the 15-year statute's inspection right, but inspectors often perform several of these in a single visit.

Question 6

I got a nonrenewal notice. What should I do first?

Accepted Answer

Find the effective date on the notice: that's the day your coverage ends, and it's your real deadline. Don't let the policy lapse; keep it in force until a replacement is bound. Then start shopping, ideally 30 to 60 days ahead of the date. A licensed independent agent can check multiple Florida markets, including programs built for homes declined over roof age, and line up a replacement so there's no gap. If the notice cites roof age and your roof is under 15, or older with 5 or more years of documented useful life, say so: that context matters.

Question 7

What are surplus lines carriers, and are they safe?

Accepted Answer

Surplus lines carriers insure risks the standard market won't take, which in Florida often includes homes with older roofs. They're a longstanding, regulated part of the market, but there are honest differences you should know: their rates and forms are not approved by Florida regulators, their policies are not protected by the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association if the insurer fails, and state taxes and fees, roughly 5 percent plus a small assessment, are added to the premium. Some very large, long-established insurers write this way, and financial strength ratings are public, so every option deserves the same look at ratings and terms. Your agent should walk you through those differences before you decide, and ours will.

Question 8

Will a new roof lower my premium?

Accepted Answer

Often, but not automatically, and nobody should promise you numbers. A new roof typically helps in two ways: wind mitigation credits, which Florida law provides for documented wind-resistant features, and market appetite, since more carriers compete for homes with newer roofs. If you do replace the roof, get a wind mitigation inspection afterward so the credit-eligible features are documented. Your actual premium depends on your carrier's filed rates and everything else about the home.

Question 9

Does this cost anything?

Accepted Answer

No. The options check is free: no credit card, no obligation. We're an independent insurance agency, so if you later choose to buy a policy through us, the carrier pays us a commission, like any agency. What's free here is the review and the quoting legwork, not an insurance product.

Question 10

What documents help?

Accepted Answer

Your current policy's declarations page and, if you got one, the nonrenewal notice. The declarations page shows your coverages and how the home is currently rated; the notice tells your agent the stated reason and your deadline. Both are optional, and paper is fine: photograph each page with your phone, and Ava reads a clear photo (JPEG or PNG) just like a PDF.

Question 11

What happens to my data?

Accepted Answer

Your documents and details are encrypted in transit and at rest, and we never sell your personal information. Your request goes to one licensed Florida agency, not to a list of lead buyers, and you can delete your files at any time.

Question 12

My premium jumped at renewal, but I wasn't nonrenewed. Is this page still for me?

Accepted Answer

If the increase traces back to your roof's age or condition, yes: the same options check applies, and roof-related re-rating is common. For a renewal increase that isn't roof-driven, we built a separate walkthrough at truscott.insure/renewal-increase that focuses on reading the renewal notice and shopping before it auto-renews. Either way, a renewal is a normal shopping moment, and you're free to compare the market before you pay it.

Struggling because of your roof age? You have more options than you think.

Tell Ava about your Florida home

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The roof age rules, decoded

Under 15 years: age alone can't sink you

15 or older: you have inspection rights

Nonrenewed? It's not the whole market

Inspections can work for you

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Declined elsewhere doesn't mean uninsurable.

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Don't let one carrier's roof rule write your story.