Short answer: Florida doesn’t set an age at which a roof becomes uninsurable. If your roof is under 15 years old, your insurance company can’t refuse to issue or renew your homeowners policy just because of its age. If it’s 15 or older, you have the right to an inspection first, and if that inspection shows at least five years of useful life left, the insurer can’t turn you down for age alone.
That’s the law. In practice, it’s a bit messier, especially in Oviedo, where a large share of homes were built in the 1990s and 2000s and many still have their original roofs. Below, we explain what Florida’s 15-year roof rule actually says (and what it doesn’t), how your roof’s age is calculated, when you need a roof certification in Central Florida, and what to do if your roof doesn’t pass.
Florida’s 15-Year Roof Rule in Plain English
The rule comes from Florida Statute 627.7011, and it applies to homeowners policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2022. It has two parts, depending on your roof’s age.
If Your Roof Is Under 15 Years Old
An insurer may not refuse to issue or renew your homeowners policy solely because of the roof’s age. That word “solely” matters. Your insurer can still raise concerns about the roof’s condition, such as visible damage or leaks. What it can’t do is drop you just because of the number of years.
If Your Roof Is 15 Years or Older
Before your insurer can require you to replace the roof as a condition of coverage, it must let you have the roof inspected by an authorized inspector, at your own expense. If that inspection shows the roof has five years or more of useful life remaining, the insurer can’t refuse to issue or renew your policy solely because of the roof’s age.
Some websites say three years is enough. The law says five.
What the Law Doesn’t Cover
The rule has limits that many guides skip:
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It doesn’t apply to mobile home policies.
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It doesn’t apply to policies that aren’t considered homeowners policies, such as commercial property coverage.
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It doesn’t stop an insurer from declining coverage for other lawful reasons, including its own underwriting criteria.
Is There a New Roof Age Law in 2026?
No. Two 2026 bills, SB 808 and HB 815, would have expanded these protections and changed who counts as an authorized inspector. Both died in committee on March 13, 2026, so they never became law. The rule described above is still the one in effect. If you’ve read that the law changed this year, that information is out of date.
How Your Roof’s Age Is Calculated
This is where a lot of homeowners get caught off guard. Under the law, your roof’s age is counted from the last date 100% of the roof’s surface was built or replaced under the building code in effect at the time.
That means a partial repair or replacement doesn’t automatically reset the clock. Here’s how it plays out:
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You replaced the whole roof in 2015. Your roof’s age counts from 2015.
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You replaced one slope after a storm, but the rest is original. The roof’s age is still based on when the whole roof was last fully built or replaced, usually the original installation.
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You replaced the roof in sections over several years until the whole surface was new. The age counts from the date of the first partial replacement, not the last one.
If you’ve only replaced part of your roof, our guide on whether you can replace just a section of your roof explains the trade-offs. Either way, keep your invoices and permit records. They’re the easiest way to prove when work was done if your insurer asks.
Why the 15-Year Rule Matters for Oviedo Homeowners
Oviedo grew fast at exactly the wrong time for today’s insurance market. The city’s population more than doubled in the 1990s, from 11,114 in 1990 to 26,316 in 2000, according to the City of Oviedo. Census housing data tells the same story: of Oviedo’s roughly 14,191 homes, about 23% were built in the 1980s, 28.6% in the 1990s, and 24.1% in the 2000s.
Put simply, about three out of every four homes in Oviedo were built before 2010. Any of them still on its original roof is now past the 15-year mark. If you live in one of the many subdivisions from that era, whether in the 32765 or 32766 ZIP code or elsewhere in Seminole County, like Winter Springs or Casselberry, this rule probably affects you sooner rather than later.
Central Florida’s climate adds to the pressure. Strong sun, summer storms, and hurricane season all wear down asphalt shingles faster than in milder climates. In August 2026, a Florida insurance agent told CBS12 News that many carriers now treat 15 years as the maximum age they want for an asphalt shingle roof. That doesn’t mean every 15-year-old roof has to be replaced, but it does mean insurers are paying close attention.
Roof Certification vs. Other Inspections: Which One Do You Need?
When your roof is 15 years or older, the inspection your insurer usually wants is a roof condition inspection, often called a roof certification. Homeowners often mix it up with other inspections insurers ask for. Here’s how they compare:
| Inspection | What It Checks | When You Usually Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Roof condition inspection (often called a roof certification) | The roof’s condition, age, and estimated remaining useful life | When your roof is 15+ years old and you need to show it has 5+ years of life left |
| 4-point inspection | Four major systems: roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC | Often required for older homes when buying a home or starting a new policy |
| Wind mitigation inspection | Wind-resistant features like roof-to-wall connections and roof shape | To qualify for insurance discounts; the state form is generally valid for up to 5 years |
| General roof inspection | Overall condition, damage, and maintenance needs | After storms, before buying a home, or as routine maintenance |
Who Can Inspect Your Roof for Insurance?
Florida law lists who counts as an authorized inspector, including licensed home inspectors, certified building code inspectors, licensed general, building, residential, or roofing contractors, licensed engineers, and licensed architects.
There’s a catch most guides leave out: the inspector must also be approved by your insurance company. Before you book an inspection, ask your insurer or agent which inspectors and forms they accept. Otherwise, you could pay for a report your insurer won’t use.
What Happens If Your Roof Doesn’t Pass?
A failed inspection or a nonrenewal notice is stressful, but you usually have options:
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Ask for the reason in writing. Find out exactly what your insurer is citing: the roof’s age, its condition, or something else.
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Ask whether repairs could make a difference. If the inspection found specific problems, targeted repairs may extend the roof’s remaining life. A good roofer will tell you honestly whether that’s realistic or whether you’d be spending money on a roof near the end of its life.
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Talk to your agent about other insurers. Underwriting rules vary by company. Some homeowners who can’t find coverage elsewhere end up with Citizens Property Insurance, Florida’s state-backed insurer of last resort.
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Plan the replacement if it’s time. A full replacement resets your roof’s age to zero, which solves the roof-age question for the next 15 years.
The best time to start this conversation is before your renewal, not after a nonrenewal letter arrives.
Planning a Roof Replacement in Oviedo? Why Fall and Winter Work Well
If your roof is approaching or past 15 years, the next few months are a smart window to act.
Hurricane season ends on November 30, and Central Florida’s drier months bring fewer afternoon storms and fewer weather delays. Most residential roof replacements take one to three days on-site, depending on the roof’s size, material, and weather. Replacing now means your home heads into next hurricane season with a new roof and a fresh start on its insurance age.
A new roof also opens the door to savings. After installation, a wind mitigation inspection can document wind-resistant features that may qualify you for insurance discounts. For extra storm protection, you can also ask about building to the FORTIFIED Roof standard.
To see what the process involves from start to finish, read what to expect during a roof replacement, or visit our page on roof replacement in Oviedo, FL.
How Central Florida Equity Builders Can Help
Whoever you hire, look for three things: a licensed roofing contractor (you can verify any license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation), experience documenting roofs for insurance purposes, and a clear written estimate that separates repair options from full replacement.
Central Florida Equity Builders is a licensed, bonded, and insured roofing and construction company based right here in Oviedo. We offer free roof inspections and give you an honest assessment of whether your roof needs repair or replacement, with detailed photos and documentation you can share with your insurance agent. If replacement is the right call, a dedicated point of contact manages your project from start to finish, and qualifying projects include both a workmanship warranty and manufacturer warranties on materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 15-year roof rule in Florida? It’s a Florida law that stops insurers from refusing to issue or renew a homeowners policy solely because the roof is under 15 years old. For roofs 15 years or older, insurers must allow an inspection first, and they can’t refuse coverage based on age alone if the roof has at least five years of useful life left.
What is a roof certification in Florida? A roof certification is a roof inspection report that describes your roof’s condition, age, and estimated remaining useful life. Insurers often ask for one on older roofs. In Florida, if your roof is 15 years or older and the report shows at least five years of useful life left, your insurer can’t refuse coverage based on age alone. The inspection must be done by an authorized inspector your insurer accepts.
Can my insurance company drop me because my roof is 15 years old? Not for age alone if an authorized inspection shows the roof has five or more years of useful life remaining. Insurers can still decline coverage for other lawful reasons, such as the roof’s condition.
Does replacing part of my roof reset its age? No. Roof age counts from the last time 100% of the roof was built or replaced. If you replaced it in sections until the whole roof was new, the age counts from the first partial replacement.
Who pays for the roof inspection? Under Florida law, the homeowner pays for the inspection. Check with your insurer first to make sure they’ll accept the inspector you choose.
Is a 4-point inspection the same as a roof inspection? No. A 4-point inspection covers four systems: roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. A roof condition inspection focuses only on the roof and its remaining useful life.
Did Florida change the roof age law in 2026? No. Bills to expand the rule (SB 808 and HB 815) died in committee on March 13, 2026. The existing rule still applies.
Get a Free Roof Inspection in Oviedo
If your roof is approaching or past 15 years old, don’t wait for a renewal notice to find out where you stand. Central Florida Equity Builders serves homeowners in Oviedo, Winter Springs, Casselberry, and throughout Central Florida. Contact us today to schedule your free roof inspection and get a clear, honest answer about your roof’s condition and your options.