The Florida 15-Year Roof Rule and Your Insurance
When an insurer can and can't drop you over roof age, how the 5-year inspection works, and what changed (and didn't) in 2026.
Written by the Valrico Roofing Pros team, 2700 St Anthony Dr, Valrico, FL 33594 · Updated October 31, 2026
The Florida 15-year roof rule, in Florida Statute 627.7011, says an insurer can't refuse or non-renew a homeowner's policy solely because the roof is under 15 years old. For roofs 15 or older, the insurer must allow an inspection, and if it shows at least 5 years of useful life left, age alone can't be the reason to drop you. It's one reason a roof inspection or a timely roof leak repair matters on older Valrico roofs.
How the Florida 15-year roof rule works
Roof under 15 years
An insurer can't refuse to issue or renew your policy solely because of the roof's age.
Roof 15 years or older
The insurer must let you have the roof inspected. If the inspection shows 5 or more years of useful life, age alone can't be the reason for refusal or non-renewal.
Source: Florida Senate analysis of current law. A 2026 bill to widen the rule died in committee in March 2026, so the existing statute still applies.
What the rule doesn't do
- It doesn't stop premiums rising on older roofs.
- It doesn't stop an insurer acting on actual damage or poor condition.
- It doesn't stop policies with roof payment schedules or separate roof deductibles.
- It applies to the roof's age, counted from the last full roof replacement.
What to do if your roof is 15 or older
- Find out the roof's age.Permit records or purchase documents.
- Ask your insurerwhich inspection form and inspectors they accept.
- Fix small problems first.A cracked pipe boot or slipped tiles can count against remaining life.
- Get the inspectionand keep the report.
- Plan ahead.If the roof is genuinely near the end, budget for replacement. See how long roofs last in Florida.
Related: wind mitigation inspections can lower your premium on any roof age. The Florida 15-year roof rule is general information here, not legal advice; your insurer and policy have the final word.
15-year roof rule questions
Can my insurer drop me because my roof is 15 years old?
Not just for that. Under Florida Statute 627.7011, if the roof is 15 or older, the insurer must let you have it inspected, and can't refuse or non-renew solely on age if the inspection shows at least 5 years of useful life left.
What if my roof is under 15 years old?
An insurer can't refuse to issue or renew a homeowner's policy solely because of the age of a roof under 15 years.
Who does the roof inspection?
An inspector the insurer accepts. Ask your insurer which inspectors and forms they take before you book.
Did the 15-year rule change in 2026?
A 2026 bill (SB 808) proposed changes, including treating flat and steep roofs differently, but it died in committee in March 2026. The existing rule still applies.
Does the rule stop my premium going up?
No. It's about refusal and non-renewal based on age alone. Premiums, deductibles and roof payment schedules can still reflect an older roof.
Need a roof inspection for your insurer?
Call (813) 555-0147 or text us a photo of the stain. We'll find where the water is getting in, show you, and give you a written price.