Can Homeowners Insurance Make You Replace Your Roof in Florida?

Your roof is 15 years old, and now your insurance company wants answers. Can they actually drop you just because of that? Are you really forced to replace it? And what happens if you don’t? 

Many homeowners in Florida don’t realize how close they are to losing their coverage until it’s too late. One day you’re secure, and the next, you’re opening a letter that tells you your policy won’t be renewed, unless you spend tens of thousands of dollars you weren’t planning on.

I’ve seen it happen to good people.

As someone who’s been building in Florida for nearly two decades, I’ve worked with homeowners who had pristine homes, safe, well-kept, everything up to code, but still got blindsided by insurer decisions that make no sense unless you’ve been behind the scenes like we have.

What This Article Will Help You Understand

We’re going to unpack what Florida law actually says, what insurance companies are doing in practice, and the games they’re playing with premium hikes, loopholes, and forced replacements.

You’ll get straight answers to the biggest questions we hear every day at Florida Roofing and Gutters:

• Do I have to replace my roof at 15 years?
• Will I lose my insurance if I don’t?
• Why is my insurer demanding this when I just replaced my roof?
• What happens if I use the insurance money on something else?

More importantly, you’ll learn how to protect yourself. Because in this market, knowledge isn’t just power, it’s peace of mind.

Do You Really Have to Replace Your Roof Every 15 Years in Florida?

Florida law does not require you to replace your roof every 15 years. That myth is everywhere, and it’s causing a lot of unnecessary panic. But there is a law you need to understand: Senate Bill 2A (SB2A).

Source -> Redfin

SB2A was passed to give homeowners some relief after years of insurers denying or canceling policies solely based on roof age. Under this law, if your roof is less than 15 years old, your insurer cannot drop you just because of its age.

If your roof is more than 15 years old, the law says you have the right to pay for a professional inspection. If that inspection determines your roof still has five or more years of useful life, your insurance company has to honor that, at least on paper.

But, and this is where I’ll be brutally honest: SB2A isn’t a golden ticket.

This rule only applies to policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2022. So if your coverage hasn’t been updated since then, these protections might not even apply to you. On top of that, mobile homes and non-standard policies often fall outside this umbrella altogether.

Can Insurers Drop You If Your Roof Is Over 15 Years Old?

Technically? No. Practically? It’s happening every day.

This is where the insurance game gets clever. Insurers know they can’t legally cancel your policy based solely on the age of your roof anymore. So instead, they get creative:

• They raise your premium.
• They add exclusions to your policy.
• They reduce your coverage quietly.

I’ve worked with families who’ve watched their premiums jump from $2,000 to $4,000 within a year, with no claim history, just a roof that hit its 15-year birthday. And suddenly, they’re in a position where they either pay double or get dropped. That’s not a choice, it’s financial coercion.

This is what I call the quiet drop. No cancellation letter. Just a premium so high, you’re forced to walk away.

That’s why at Florida Roofing and Gutters, we take a proactive approach. Before your roof gets flagged, we offer a 12-point inspection that documents your roof’s condition, so you have leverage. We help you prepare before your insurer starts playing hardball, because trust me, once they do, it’s an uphill battle.

The Game Insurance Companies Are Playing

Let me be clear, insurance companies didn’t always act like this. Years ago, if your roof had a few years left and no visible damage, you were in the clear. But that was before Florida’s insurance market got flipped upside down.

Here’s what happened: fraud and abuse exploded.

Roofing scammers, often out-of-town “storm chasers”, flooded Florida neighborhoods after every big weather event. They’d convince homeowners to file inflated claims, promising “free roofs” while they billed insurers sky-high for rushed, low-quality work. Then came the lawsuits. Thousands of them. Insurers were losing hundreds of millions, and naturally, they panicked.

So what did they do? They started looking for risk, and cutting it.

Now we’re seeing insurers use everything from drone imagery to data-driven risk models to find excuses to raise rates or refuse renewals. If your roof is getting close to 15 years old, if your zip code had a storm in the last 12 months, if your house isn’t “hurricane hardened”, you might be flagged. You won’t always get a warning. You’ll just get a bill that’s double or triple what you paid last year.

I’ve talked to customers who were told everything looked fine, then got a non-renewal notice weeks later. That’s the game. It’s not illegal. But it’s not right either.

What Happens If You Don’t Replace Your Roof?

Let’s say your insurance company sends a letter saying you need to replace your roof, or they won’t renew your policy. What happens if you ignore it? Or delay it? Or think, “Hey, I’ll just patch it up and ride it out”?

Here’s what can go wrong:

• They can deny future claims. Even if a tree crashes through your roof during a hurricane, if they flagged it as “past its life,” they might not pay.
• You lose renewal eligibility. When your policy term ends, they can walk away, and in Florida’s tight market, getting another insurer isn’t guaranteed.
• Your mortgage company can get involved. If your loan requires homeowners insurance (and most do), a lapse in coverage could trigger force-placed insurance. That’s a policy your lender buys on your behalf, usually at triple the cost and a fraction of the coverage.

I’ve seen families lose tens of thousands because they didn’t act fast enough. Not because they were careless, but because they were misinformed or blindsided.

Our job at Florida Roofing and Gutters is to catch these issues before they spiral. We start with a 12-point inspection, flag what insurance companies will flag, and give you a game plan, whether that means repairs, a replacement, or just better documentation to keep you in good standing.

So, Will Insurance Pay for a New Roof?

When Insurance Will Cover Your Roof

Homeowners insurance is not a roof maintenance plan, it’s a protection policy for sudden, unexpected damage. That means if your roof is leaking because of old age, insurance isn’t likely to pay for it. But if your roof took a beating from a storm? That’s a different story.

In Florida, storm-related damage is the #1 reason insurance will pay for a roof replacement. We’re talking about:

• Wind that tears off shingles
• Hail that dents your metal panels
• Tree limbs crashing down during a tropical storm
• Water intrusion from a roof breach caused by weather

But here’s the catch: you have to prove it happened. And more importantly, you have to prove it recently happened.

That’s why documentation is everything. 

At Florida Roofing and Gutters, we train our team to think like adjusters. We take high-resolution photos, we write up damage reports, we reference the storm that caused the damage, even linking to official NOAA storm data. The more evidence you provide, the less wiggle room your insurer has to deny your claim.

Helpful Resource -> Roof Inspections Post Storm: What to Do and What Not to Do

We also help homeowners who didn’t notice damage right away. Sometimes, the signs of a compromised roof aren’t obvious. That’s where our 12-point inspection comes in. We look at the details others miss, and we’ve helped clients get claims approved months after a storm when the paper trail checks out.

When They Won’t Pay

Unfortunately, this is where most people get burned.

Just because your roof is old doesn’t mean insurance is going to cut you a check. In fact, age alone is rarely covered. If your roof is simply worn out from time, weather exposure, or shoddy materials, insurance companies call that “deferred maintenance“ and reject the claim.

And even if your roof looks damaged, if it’s only cosmetic, like a few granules missing from shingles or minor discoloration, you might still get denied.

It gets worse: if your inspection isn’t credible, insurers will poke holes in it.

Homeowners who submit blurry iPhone photos or vague descriptions often get denied on the basis of “insufficient evidence.” And if your roofer isn’t licensed, certified, or experienced with insurance documentation? That makes things even harder.

How to Protect Yourself: What Every Florida Homeowner Should Know

Waiting around for your insurance company to “do the right thing” is a risk. The truth is, by the time you receive that non-renewal notice or outrageous premium hike, the damage to your coverage options is already done. That’s why protection starts with prevention, and it begins before your insurer takes control of the narrative.

Get an Inspection Before the Letter Comes

Most homeowners wait until something goes wrong to call a roofer. But by then, you’re already playing catch-up. The smarter move? Get ahead of the storm (no pun intended).

At Florida Roofing and Gutters, we offer a 12-point roofing inspection designed specifically to give you an edge with your insurance company. We don’t just check for obvious leaks, we look for:

• Early signs of hail or wind damage
• Shingle deterioration that could disqualify future claims
• Flashing, sealant, and underlayment vulnerabilities

And here’s the part most homeowners don’t realize.

You might already have enough storm-related damage to file a claim, without knowing it. We’ve uncovered hidden storm damage during inspections that qualified our clients for full roof replacements, paid for by insurance. They never would’ve known if we hadn’t documented it first.

The best time to inspect your roof isn’t after a hurricane, it’s now, before your insurer gives you an ultimatum.

Use a Roofer Who Understands the Insurance Game

 

This isn’t just about roofing. This is about playing chess with billion-dollar insurance companies, and if your contractor doesn’t understand that game, you lose.

That’s where FRG is different.

We don’t just swing hammers, we strategize:

• We provide on-site estimates tailored for insurance claim submissions.
• We write inspection reports in the exact format adjusters expect.
• We work directly with insurance companies to make sure your paperwork doesn’t get tossed aside.

We’ve spent over 30 years learning Florida’s unique roofing and insurance laws, so you don’t have to. And while storm chasers and national chains roll into town with glossy flyers, we’re right here in your neighborhood, doing the work the right way. No games. No gimmicks. Just a team that knows how to get your roof covered and built to last.

Before you get stuck with a denial, or worse, no coverage at all, reach out to us. Because protecting your home starts long before the first drop of rain.

What Kind of Roof Should You Get If You Replace It?

Choosing the right roof isn’t just about looks anymore, it’s about performance, durability, and how your insurance company will treat you afterward. After working on thousands of Florida homes, I’ve seen firsthand which roofing systems insurers favor, which ones they scrutinize, and which give homeowners the best return on investment.

So, if you’re replacing your roof, whether by choice or because insurance is pushing your hand, here’s what you need to know.

1. Metal Roofs

If I had to pick one roof type that checks all the boxes for Florida homes, it’s metal. These roofs last anywhere from 40 to 70 years, shrug off hurricane-force winds, and resist corrosion, mold, and fire.

Insurance companies love them because they lower risk, and in some cases, they’ll actually offer better premiums because of it. They’re also made of recyclable materials and reflect heat, which helps with energy efficiency.

2. Tile Roofs

Tile is a powerhouse when it comes to durability and aesthetics. You’ll find these on a lot of high-end homes, and for good reason, they can last 50+ years when installed correctly.

They’re heavy, require precise installation, and can be a nightmare to repair if only part of the roof is damaged. Insurance carriers know that, and they often classify tile roofs as higher-risk for replacement costs, which can impact coverage decisions.

3. Asphalt Shingles

Still the most common roofing material in Florida. They’re affordable, easy to install, and if you choose a quality brand, they can last 15–25 years.

The problem? Insurers start scrutinizing them hard around year 12. In areas prone to storms, asphalt shingles are viewed as “fragile,” which can lead to higher premiums or limited coverage once the roof starts to age.

Helpful Resource -> Roof Replacement Cost In Florida

The Underlayment Factor

Here’s a little-known option that’s saved our customers thousands: underlayment replacement.

If you already have a metal roof in good shape but your insurance company is pushing for a “roof replacement,” they might actually be referring to the underlayment, the waterproof barrier beneath the panels.

Over time, this underlayer can wear down and compromise your home’s protection, even if the metal panels look fine. At Florida Roofing and Gutters, we’ve helped homeowners retain their metal roofs by replacing just the underlayment, bringing everything up to code, and satisfying insurance requirements without a full rip-off.

It’s solutions like these that most contractors won’t mention, because they don’t know the insurance angle. We do.

And when it’s time for a full roof replacement, we don’t just give you a few options and walk away. We match your roof system to your needs, your budget, and your policy, because the wrong roof can cost you far more than the right one ever will.

✅ Get a free inspection today and take control before your insurance company does.

👉 Schedule Your Roof Review with FRG →

Let’s reroof the world, starting with yours.