Bill > H0815

This bill modifies Florida's property insurance regulations regarding roof requirements, expanding the definition of "authorized inspector" to include roof consultants and roof observers from the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants. The legislation prevents insurance companies from refusing to issue or renew property insurance policies solely based on a roof's age for residential structures with roofs less than 15 years old. For roofs 15 years or older, insurers must distinguish between low-slope roofs (2-inch pitch or less) and steep-slope roofs (more than 2-inch pitch), and must allow property owners to have an authorized inspector evaluate the roof's condition before mandating replacement. Specifically for steep-slope roofs, insurers cannot deny coverage if an authorized inspector determines the roof has at least 5 years of useful life remaining, and for low-slope roofs, insurers cannot refuse coverage if an authorized inspector determines the roof can be restored with a coating system that extends its useful life by at least 5 years. The bill calculates roof age based on the last date of complete surface replacement and will apply to property insurance policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2026, providing property owners with more flexibility and protection in maintaining their roof coverage.