Correction, October 30, 2026: An earlier version of this post misstated two parts of the 2022 laws. It said the roof age protection for roofs under 15 years old depended on an inspection, which was not correct, and it described the 25% roof repair change incorrectly. Both bullets below have been fixed. This post describes the 2022 laws when they passed and is not a summary of current rules.
The property insurance reform bill that was under review in the Senate’s special session this week has passed! It received our Governor’s signature and is yet another step in the right direction to making home insurance available and affordable again.
More details on what this bill entails can be found here but the following points are what we consider to be the most important:
- A new state reinsurance program for insurance companies, called the Reinsurance to Assist Policyholders program
- Insurers can’t refuse to issue or renew a homeowner’s policy solely because of roof age if the roof is less than 15 years old. For a roof 15 years or older, the insurer must allow an inspection by an authorized inspector, at the homeowner’s expense, before requiring replacement, and can’t refuse to issue or renew solely because of roof age if the inspection shows at least 5 years of useful life left.
- Limitations on attorney fees and fee multipliers
- New roof deductible options
- More Office of Insurance Regulation guidelines to help prevent Florida-based carriers from financial instability or liquidation
- For a roof built, repaired or replaced to the 2007 Florida Building Code or a later edition, when 25% or more of it is being repaired or replaced, only that portion has to meet the current code, so the whole roof doesn’t have to be replaced
- Steps to curb fraudulent roof claims and roofing contractor solicitation
- $150 million for wind mitigation inspections and matching grants through the My Safe Florida Home program
Governor DeSantis signed the bill on May 26, 2022.
We remain hopeful and excited for positive change. We are in this together and ultimately, want to keep homeownership as great of an experience as possible for all Floridians.
