New Laws in Florida Affect Roofing and Insurance Claims

New Laws in Florida Affect Roofing and Insurance Claims

New Laws in Florida Affect Roofing and Insurance Claims Central Homes Roofing and Solar Services

Florida laws regulate the roofing industry because of the hurricanes that regularly sweep through the state. The strong winds and rain of a hurricane can cause a lot of damage to a roof. Florida has recently updated its law regarding roofing regulation. The changes took effect on July 1 of 2021 and are designed to protect against roofing insurance claim fraud. The law updates how homeowners can make insurance claims for roofing, as well as how insurance companies and roofing companies handle those claims.

What changes did Florida make to the law?

The new law includes the following changes:

  • Homeowners must file property insurance, supplemental insurance, or reopened claims within two years
  • If a roof is less than ten years old, the insurance company must fully cover a replacement.
  • If a roof is older than ten years, an insurance company can reduce coverage based on a roof’s type and age.
  • Before filing a lawsuit, property owners have to give 60-day notice to insurance companies.
  • An attorney who files a lawsuit on a roofing contractor’s behalf is limited in how fees can be collected.
  • Insurance companies can offer roof coverage at a state value limit to homeowners.
  • Roofers aren’t allowed to solicit business by going door-to-door.
  • Contractors can’t offer incentives to homeowners.
  • Contractors can’t accept incentives for referrals.

How are roofing companies affected by the changes?

The changes in Florida law impact roofing contractors only in how they market their businesses. They’re no longer allowed to solicit business by going door-to-door and offering or accepting incentives. Some roofing companies may rely on door-to-door solicitation for their business marketing. However, this type of sales pitch often has homeowners wondering if the roofing contractor’s services are a scam. Some roofing contractors already don’t solicit sales door-to-door for those reasons, so the changes to the law would very minimally affect many.

How are homeowners impacted by the changes?

Homeowners are limited in how long they can take to file an insurance claim. They have two years from the date the roof was damaged to file a claim with their insurance company. Mostly, the law seeks to benefit homeowners by preventing lawsuits from raising their insurance premiums. Insurance companies facing lawsuits would pass those legal costs on to their customers by raising insurance rates. The goal of the changes to the law is to reduce the escalation of insurance premiums that homeowners have to pay. However, not everyone agrees that the law will guarantee that premiums will drop for homeowners in the long run.

Final Thoughts

In summary, roofing laws in Florida aim to ensure safety, quality, and consumer protection. Licensing requirements, building codes, material standards, and insurance regulations play a crucial role in governing the roofing industry. Understanding these laws is essential for homeowners and contractors to ensure compliance and a professional approach to roofing projects in the state.

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