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As a trusted authority in the roofing industry, we at Classic Roofing & Construction realize the importance of staying current with legislative changes that could impact the way homeowners in Florida deal with their residential and commercial roofing repairs. One of these shifts that has raised numerous questions pertains to insurance claims and roof repairs. In this post, we shed light on this intricate topic and how we can offer expert assistance to navigate through these challenges.
Changing Landscape of Insurance Claims and Roof Repairs in Florida
Remember the days when your local roofer could fix your damaged roof, and the insurance company directly compensated them? This procedure, known as “Assignment of Benefits” or AOB, allowed homeowners with insurance coverage for roof damage to assign their benefits to the roofer. Unfortunately, these days are behind us due to new Florida laws.
Understanding the Impact of Florida Senate Bill 76
Florida Senate Bill 76, enacted on July 1, 2021, introduced by the Florida legislature and Governor Desantis, has significantly altered the concept of Assignment of Benefits. This new legislation introduced stipulations for both homeowners and roofing contractors, creating a paradigm shift in how roofing repairs are handled.
The law now restricts contractors from indulging in several practices, such as:
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- Soliciting homeowners through prohibited advertisements like flyers, emails, and other forms of direct communication with the intention of making an insurance claim for roof damages.
- Offering homeowners incentives like rebates, gifts, or waivers of insurance deductibles in exchange for roof inspection or making an insurance claim.
- Offering or accepting any compensation for referrals of services where property insurance proceeds are payable.
Violation of these regulations can subject contractors to disciplinary proceedings and hefty fines up to $10,000 per violation. Additionally, roofing contracts must include a notification to homeowners about these new restrictions.
Effects on Florida’s Residential and Commercial Roofing Contractors
This law significantly impacts anyone involved in soliciting homeowners for roof repairs, including employees and non-employees. Licensed contractors or subcontractors are now also barred from performing public adjuster services unless licensed as one, although they can suggest that homeowners contact their insurance company to determine if repairs are covered under their policy.
Implications for Homeowners and Insurance Companies
Homeowners have two years from the event that caused the damage to file a claim with their insurance company. They must also provide a 60-day notice to their insurance company before filing a lawsuit.
On the other hand, insurance companies are now mandated to cover the full cost of a roof that is less than 10 years old. However, they can reduce coverage for roofs that are over 10 years old. Moreover, the fees that attorneys can collect for filing lawsuits on behalf of roofing contractors are now limited, and insurance companies can offer homeowners roof coverage up to a state-defined limit.
Classic Roofing & Construction: Your Trusted Roofing Expert in Florida
Feeling overwhelmed by these new legislative changes? Don’t worry, you are not alone. Whether you need your roof repaired or replaced in St. Petersburg or surrounding communities, you can count on Classic Roofing & Construction for support.
As experienced roofing specialists, we have an in-house team of experts who ensure every job is handled with utmost precision and professionalism. We adhere strictly to the laws, offering free roof inspections and using our extensive training to build robust roofs. We proudly offer a 50-year material warranty and a 25-year workmanship warranty on all our projects, irrespective of size.
Have more questions about insurance claims and roofing repair under the new Florida laws? Schedule an appointment with us today, and let our expertise guide you through this maze. Trust us to make your roofing journey seamless and worry-free.
