Roofs- What to know about Florida Roofs and Insurance

Home Insurance Reforms & Tort Reform (2023–Present)

In March 2023, Florida enacted sweeping tort reform aimed at reducing what the state characterized as “frivolous lawsuits.” Key changes include curbs on attorney fee awards and tighter statutes of limitations on claims. Proponents say this move attracted more insurers and helped stabilize the market; critics argue it mainly benefits insurance companies and leaves homeowners more vulnerable—especially given sharp rises in denied or closed claims (47% of claims were closed without payment in 2024) (The Washington Post).

Although insurers maintain the market is improving and more carriers are entering Florida, many consumers still face high premiums, claim denials, and ongoing litigation due to denied claims (The Washington Post).

Florida’s Roofing Law Changes
a) HB 715 – Enhanced Contractual Protections (May 2025)

On May 19, 2025, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 715 (HB 715), introducing key consumer protections and broader contractor responsibilities in roofing contracts:

Expanded Contractor Scope: Licensed roofing contractors can now include work on critical structural elements like roof-to-wall connections (hurricane straps) as part of repairs or replacements, provided the enhancements are properly installed and inspected, following the Florida Building Code or OIR’s uniform mitigation form (Marshall Dennehey, GrayRobinson).
Cancellation Rights During Emergencies: Homeowners may cancel a roofing contract without penalty if it was signed within 180 days of a declared state of emergency—within 10 days of signing or before work begins (Marshall Dennehey, GrayRobinson).
Insurance Notice Requirement: Roofing contracts must now include a bold, 14-point font statement advising the homeowner to verify insurance coverage and reimbursement before signing. This disclosure aims to prevent misunderstandings and help homeowners understand policy limitations (Marshall Dennehey, GrayRobinson).

b) Roof Age & Insurance Eligibility (Since July 2022)

Florida Statute § 627.7011 includes important regulations regarding roof age and homeowners insurance:

Under 15 Years Old: Insurers cannot refuse or non-renew a policy solely because the roof is under 15.
15 Years or Older: Insurers must allow a homeowner to have an authorized inspector evaluate whether the roof has at least 5 years of useful life remaining. If so, the policy cannot be refused based on age alone (Florida Legislature).
These rules went into effect for policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2022 (Florida Legislature).

c) Changes to the “25% Rule” – Partial Repairs Now Allowed (Post-March 2022)

Under Senate Bill 4-D (2022) and updates to the Florida Building Code:

Old Rule: If more than 25% of a roof was damaged within 12 months, the entire roof needed replacement—even minor damage could trigger a full re-roof.
New Rule: For roofs built or replaced after March 1, 2009, only the damaged portion needs repairs—as long as the rest of the roof complies with the 2007 Building Code or later (Best Roofing).

Also known as the “15-year rule” in insurance contexts: insurers cannot deny or non-renew coverage solely based on a roof being under 15; if older, inspections can prove continued viability (Best Roofing, Florida Legislature).

d) Impacts on Roof Coatings & Restoration

A separate shift in insurer policies—especially for the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance—has devalued roof coating restoration systems:

Coating systems (e.g., acrylic, silicone) do not count as roof replacement in Citizens’ guidelines; insurers frequently require full replacement to approve or cover claims—even when coatings would suffice (Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association).

This has raised concerns about thousands of dollars in unnecessary replacements, environmental waste, and financial strain on homeowners—particularly those on fixed incomes (Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association).

Summary Table

Change / Law	What It Means
2023 Tort Reform	Limits lawsuits, may favor insurers, though claim denials remain high
HB 715 (May 2025)	Expanded scope for contractors, stronger cancellation rights, insurance notices
Roof Age Rules (2022)	Insurers can’t deny based on roof under 15; older roofs can be inspected instead
25% Partial Repair Rule	Only damaged areas require repair—if roof built after March 2009 and code-compliant
Roof Coating Restrictions	Coatings often not acceptable to insurers, pushing for full roof replacements

Takeaways for Florida Homeowners

Know your rights under HB 715—especially if signing contracts after storms.
Understand roof age regulations—inspections can protect you from forced replacements.
Be aware of insurer biases against coatings and restorations—keep detailed documentation.
Work with informed, licensed professionals familiar with the evolving laws and building codes.

Article by Pamela Bailey