A Florida roof that’s over 15 years old could lead to an increase in homeowners’ insurance. Furthermore, a homeowner could be denied a policy completely if a roof was installed 19 or more years ago. However, most roofing materials are designed to last for at least 30 years or more. Therefore, rushing to put up a new roof could be a waste of money.
In some cases, a delayed installation could kill a deal to buy or sell a home. While insurance companies say that this protects them from covering damage to older roofs after a hurricane, this may not necessarily be accurate. In Florida, a homeowner will pay a separate deductible if their property is damaged by a hurricane. Usually, this is 2 percent of the home’s value. Therefore, an individual would have a $5,000 deductible if the home is worth $100,000.
For other damage such as that caused by hail or fire, the deductible is typically only $1,000. In many cases, roofs have a warranty that lasts for about 30 years, and for some, there is a limited lifetime warranty available. Therefore, insurance companies may not necessarily be on the hook for paying for a new roof if it is defective or not installed correctly.
Those who experience roof damage may have the right to ask their insurance companies to pay for it. However, this depends on if coverage is available in a given policy. An attorney may be able to help a client review his or her homeowner’s insurance policy to determine if coverage is available. If a claim is denied inappropriately, a policyholder could appeal the decision. An attorney could help get a rejected claimed approved on appeal or through other legal means potentially available.