Roof inspection and insurance certification in Miami-Dade

The letter usually says the same thing: your roof is over 15 years old, and the insurer needs an inspection before renewing. Florida law allows that request, and it also gives you a way to answer it. A licensed roofing contractor inspects the roof and, if it has enough life left, certifies it. If it does not, you find out before the policy lapses rather than after.

Call and get connected with an independent local roofing contractor who does inspections and certifications. Tell us what your insurer asked for so the right form comes back.

The inspections insurers ask for

• Roof condition inspection with a Remaining Useful Life (RUL) certification: the contractor evaluates the covering, underlayment where visible, flashing, decking, and drainage, and certifies how many years of life remain. Insurers typically look for at least three to five years.
• Four-point inspection: covers roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, usually for older homes when a policy is written. A roofing contractor handles the roof portion or provides the roof report an inspector needs.
• Wind mitigation inspection: documents the roof covering, deck attachment, roof-to-wall connection, roof shape, and secondary water barrier. Credits on the windstorm part of the premium can be significant after a code-compliant re-roof.

What the inspection finds

On Miami roofs the report usually comes down to the underlayment on tile roofs, granule loss and brittleness on shingle, ponding and blisters on flat sections, and the condition of flashing and metal. A roof can look good from the street and still be near the end; a roof with a few cracked tiles can have years left. Ask for photos and a written report you can send on.

If the roof fails the inspection

Then you have a decision and a timeline. Repairs may buy the years the insurer wants; a replacement resets the clock. The same contractor can quote either. See our pages on repair and replacement, and talk to your insurer about what they will accept.

Buying or selling a home

Roof age and condition come up in nearly every Miami-Dade home sale. A pre-listing inspection or a buyer’s roof inspection answers the questions before they become negotiation points.