Florida Home Insurance

[bob bob]

The 20 year roof is arbitrary and flies in the face of logic. My roof is a metal roof approaching 23 years old without any signs of corrosion or defects of any kind. None. They have already upped my payments 100% in 2 years. I can’t wait until next renewal season.

Is it just a coastal thing for roofs or statewide? . Almost seems like they're quitting.

 

[PoppaJ]

I have a 25 year old metal roof, installed properly. It is considered a 100-year roof. I don't know about that but expect it to last my lifetime. My insurance agent said only one company would insure a home with a roof over 20 years old. My Insurance has gone from about $2500/year to now $8,000 a year.

Is stopping at 20 year roof simply a method of weeding out older homes?

Good question.

 

[Matt J]

I have a just shy of 20 year shingle roof. I was offered by an adjuster after Michael to get it replaced. We got no damage and it seemed a waste since there's at least 10 years left on the shingles, I'm not missing one shingle, have no warping or soft spots on my underlayment and frankly don't need a new roof. For that honesty our insurance company dropped us, left the state and only citizens will cover us reasonably without replacing the roof.

Trying to decide whether to do a metal roof or shingle with ten year shingles since anything longer seems pointless.

 

[PoppaJ]

I have a just shy of 20 year shingle roof. I was offered by an adjuster after Michael to get it replaced. We got no damage and it seemed a waste since there's at least 10 years left on the shingles, I'm not missing one shingle, have no warping or soft spots on my underlayment and frankly don't need a new roof. For that honesty our insurance company dropped us, left the state and only citizens will cover us reasonably without replacing the roof.

Trying to decide whether to do a metal roof or shingle with ten year shingles since anything longer seems pointless.

Amazing the advancements in home construction over the centuries.
The insurance industry claims we now have ten year roofs!

 

[Dave13104]

I am thinking of moving to Florida in 2 years when i retire. A realtor recently told me that the homes having trouble getting coverage were older homes (even just 10 years old) because they were built to lower storm related specifications. Is there any truth to this>

 

[leeboy]

I am thinking of moving to Florida in 2 years when i retire. A realtor recently told me that the homes having trouble getting coverage were older homes (even just 10 years old) because they were built to lower storm related specifications. Is there any truth to this>

As I recall the statewide building codes changed shortly after Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

 

[Matt J]

I am thinking of moving to Florida in 2 years when i retire. A realtor recently told me that the homes having trouble getting coverage were older homes (even just 10 years old) because they were built to lower storm related specifications. Is there any truth to this>

If they're wearing a DR Horton name tag that line makes sense.

 

[Lake View Too]

As I recall the statewide building codes changed shortly after Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

The wind-load requirements for houses has changed a couple times since the late 80's. Don't quote me on these exact figures, but it used to be houses had to be built to withstand 140mph winds, then it was upped to 160mph maybe about 10- 15 years ago. This was primarily about the integrity of the whole house, including the way the roof sheathing was nailed down, the hurricane strapping, the windows and doors, the threaded rods holding the roof structure all the way down to the foundation. The actual gauge of the metal roofing or the thickness and nailing patterns of shingle roofs has not changed. They are adequate in terms of wind-resistance. What seems to have changed in the insurance industry is this attempt to say that the life-time of the metal or the asphalt has changed. It seems arbitrary, and it seems like the insurance companies are trying to use this as a loophole to get out of covering houses in Florida.

 

[Matt J]

Ultimately I believe the roof issues were that many people saw an insurance claim after a storm to be a valid way to replace a roof.

One private company offered us insurance for over $6k/year with the roof excluded due to it's age. We passed since we knew what would be blamed for any loss.

 

[PoppaJ]

Ultimately I believe the roof issues were that many people saw an insurance claim after a storm to be a valid way to replace a roof.

One private company offered us insurance for over $6k/year with the roof excluded due to its age. We passed since we knew what would be blamed for any loss.

The insurance industry would love to sell a la carte junk home owner policies minimizing their risk for wind, water, roofs, etc. to maximize profits leaving us to decipher the legalese of what’s covered after a disaster.