Florida homeowners know that the roof above them isn’t just protection from the rain—it’s also a major factor in keeping insurance coverage. In recent years, the Sunshine State has been at the epicenter of an insurance crisis. A 2025 analysis showed that Florida leads the nation in the growth of home‑insurance non‑renewal rates; non‑renewals nearly tripled between 2018 and 2023 cfpublic.org. The non‑renewal rate was 2.99% in 2023, almost twice the rate of the next‑highest state cfpublic.org. Roughly 20 % of Florida homeowners go without insurance entirely cfpublic.org because coverage is unaffordable or unavailable. Yet, the insurance market is beginning to recover thanks to legislative reforms, new carriers and falling litigation. Understanding how roof age, materials and upgrades affect your policy is key to staying insured during these turbulent times.
In this post we’ll break down:
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Why non‑renewals have surged and how Florida’s insurance market is changing.
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How your roof’s age, construction and maintenance affect coverage and premiums.
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Recent reforms and programs that can help homeowners keep or regain insurance.
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Practical steps you can take to avoid non‑renewal and protect your biggest investment.
Florida’s Insurance Crisis and a Glimmer of Recovery
The non‑renewal problem
When a home‑insurance policy expires, the insurer can renew it, adjust the terms, or refuse to renew. Insurify’s 2025 data shows that Florida’s non‑renewal rates climbed 280 % between 2018 and 2023 cfpublic.org. The non‑renewal rate reached 2.99 % in 2023, while the next‑highest state, Louisiana, was 1.8 % cfpublic.org. Analysts note that most non‑renewals are initiated by insurers, not homeowners cfpublic.org. Companies are trying to reduce their exposure because Florida’s weather is becoming more extreme; Hurricane Ian in 2022 caused $113 billion in insured losses and the 2024 season brought two more major storms, including Hurricane Milton, which alone caused $3.62 billion in damages floridaallrisk.com.
High non‑renewals have forced many people to go uninsured—about one in five homeowners cfpublic.org—or to pay skyrocketing premiums. A Senate report cited by Insurify projected that the annual cost of homeowners insurance in Florida could hit $15,460 in 2025, nearly five times the national average cfpublic.org. At the same time, catastrophes like hurricanes and tornadoes accounted for 97 % of insured losses worldwide in 2024 cfpublic.org, underscoring why insurers are wary of the Florida market.
Signs of improvement
Despite the grim statistics, Florida’s insurance market is beginning to stabilize. In 2024 the state’s personal property insurers posted their first underwriting profit in eight years, with underwriting gains of $206.7 million and a pre‑tax profit of $492.3 million renegadeinsurance.com. Experts attribute the turnaround to tort reforms that reduced excessive litigation, increased competition as new carriers entered the market and improved underwriting practices renegadeinsurance.com. State regulators report that more than ten new insurers have entered Florida since 2023, and some carriers are filing for rate decreases for the first time in years floridaallrisk.com. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state‑run insurer of last resort, saw its policy count drop below one million, down from a peak of 1.4 million, and even announced a 5.6 % rate decrease in early 2025 floridaallrisk.com. According to Florida’s insurance commissioner, historic legislative reforms have attracted new insurers and brought more than $297 million in policyholder surplus floridaallrisk.com.
Much of this stabilization stems from legislative changes. Reforms enacted in 2022 and 2023 eliminated one‑way attorney fees and prohibited assignment‑of‑benefits abuse, a practice that had funneled 71 % of claim costs into attorney fees floridaallrisk.com. Reinsurance costs, which had risen 50–100 % after recent hurricanes floridaallrisk.com, have moderated. A 2024 law requires carriers to disclose affiliate fees and reinsurance costs floridaallrisk.com, while another mandates that insurers entering Florida hold at least $35 million in extra reserves floridaallrisk.com. The My Safe Florida Home program relaunched with grants up to $10,000 for hurricane‑mitigation upgrades like impact windows and reinforced roofs floridaallrisk.com. These reforms, coupled with market profits, are luring carriers back and giving homeowners more options.
Why Your Roof Matters More Than Ever
Insurance companies view roofs as the first line of defense against Florida’s ferocious storms. Older or poorly maintained roofs can make a house uninsurable, while newer, stronger roofs can earn discounts. Florida law now prohibits insurers from denying coverage or non‑renewing a homeowners policy solely because the roof is less than 15 years old floridapace.gov. If your roof is older than 15 years, you have the right to obtain an inspection. If a licensed inspector certifies that the roof has at least five years of useful life, insurers must allow coverage floridapace.gov. This law gives homeowners time to make repairs instead of facing abrupt cancellations.
Materials and design
The materials you choose affect both longevity and premiums. Slate, tile, concrete shingles and metal roofs offer the best protection against wind and hail, but they are also expensive to replace floridapace.gov. Asphalt shingles are cheaper but often have shorter lifespans. Insurers also factor in roof shape: hip roofs, which slope on all sides, withstand high winds better than gable roofs, so they may qualify for discounts floridapace.gov. The condition of the roof deck and the size of the overhang matter too—properly secured decking and adequate overhangs reduce wind and water intrusion, which can lower risks and premiums floridapace.gov.
Maintenance and inspections
Regular upkeep is essential. Clearing debris, fixing minor leaks and replacing damaged shingles prolongs a roof’s life and demonstrates that it still provides adequate protection. Experts recommend scheduling professional inspections every few years; these inspections can catch issues early and may reduce your premium floridapace.gov. Keeping detailed records of repairs and inspections is especially important if your roof is approaching 15 years. Documentation helps prove that the roof still meets standards and can support an appeal if an insurer threatens non‑renewal.
Understanding the New Market Landscape
How the crisis happened
Florida’s insurance nightmare didn’t happen overnight. When Hurricane Ian struck in 2022, it caused $113 billion in insured losses floridaallrisk.com. The following seasons brought more hurricanes, such as Milton and Helene, adding billions more in claims floridaallrisk.com. At the same time, reinsurance—the insurance that insurers buy—became drastically more expensive; some carriers saw their reinsurance costs double floridaallrisk.com. An explosion of litigation also devastated the market. Although Florida accounts for only 9 % of U.S. homeowners‑insurance claims, it produced 79 % of insurance lawsuits floridaallrisk.com. A one‑way attorney‑fee statute encouraged lawyers to pursue disputes, leading to claims where more than 70 % of costs went to attorneys rather than repairs floridaallrisk.com. Fraudulent practices like assignment‑of‑benefits allowed some contractors to take over homeowners’ policies and file inflated claims floridaallrisk.com. Combined with an aging housing stock and outdated building codes, these factors pushed insurers to exit the state and triggered the wave of non‑renewals.
Legislative reforms
To address the crisis, lawmakers enacted several key reforms:
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SB 2‑A (2022) – eliminated one‑way attorney fees and prohibited assignment‑of‑benefits on new policies floridaallrisk.com.
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My Safe Florida Home program – reinstated in 2023, offering grants up to $10,000 for mitigation upgrades like impact‑rated windows and reinforced roofs floridaallrisk.com. These improvements can qualify homeowners for premium discounts and make roofs more resilient.
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SB 1656 (2024) – requires insurers to provide a transparent breakdown of affiliate fees, reinsurance costs and litigation expenses in rate filings floridaallrisk.com.
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Financial‑strength requirement – new carriers must hold an extra $35 million in reserves floridaallrisk.com, ensuring they can pay claims after large disasters.
These reforms have already yielded results: 17 companies filed for rate decreases since 2024, 34 requested no increase and average rate requests fell from 21.8 % to 0.8 % floridaallrisk.com. Domestic insurers reported $389 million in net income as of September 2024 floridaallrisk.com, providing a financial cushion and encouraging more competition.
New insurers and lower premiums
The return of carriers means homeowners have more choices. In 2020 there were only 12 companies writing new business in Florida; by 2025 that number had more than doubled to 25 floridaallrisk.com. As competition grows, some carriers are reducing premiums. Florida’s average annual premium now stands at $2,625, about 24 % higher than the national average, but the rate of increase has slowed floridaallrisk.com. In fact, one analysis found that some barrier‑island homes could see rates drop by up to 25 %, and inland homes could fall by 10–20 % floridaallrisk.com. These declines, while modest, signal a market that is finally trending toward stability.
Practical Steps to Avoid Non‑Renewal
Even with reforms, many Floridians will still face non‑renewal notices. The following actions can improve your chances of keeping coverage or finding a new policy.
1. Stay proactive with roof maintenance and documentation
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Inspect regularly: Schedule professional inspections every few years, especially if your roof is approaching the 15‑year mark. Inspectors can certify that the roof has at least five more years of life, which can prevent a mandatory replacement floridapace.gov.
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Repair promptly: Fix leaks, replace damaged shingles and clean gutters to extend your roof’s lifespan. Document all repairs with dated receipts and photos.
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Keep records: Create a file with installation dates, materials used, warranty documents and inspection reports. Provide these to your insurer if you receive a non‑renewal notice.
2. Upgrade for resilience and savings
Upgrades that harden your home against storms can lower your risk and possibly your premiums:
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Choose durable materials: Consider metal, tile or concrete shingles that offer better wind and hail resistance floridapace.gov.
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Improve roof shape: When replacing a roof, ask your contractor about hip‑roof designs, which perform better in windstorms and may qualify for discounts floridapace.gov.
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Strengthen connections: New laws allow licensed roofing contractors to evaluate and enhance roof‑to‑wall connections to meet building‑code standards flsenate.gov. Stronger connections reduce uplift during hurricanes.
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Install secondary water barriers and impact protection: Adding peel‑and‑stick underlayment, hurricane straps, impact‑rated skylights or storm shutters can further reduce damage. The My Safe Florida Home program provides grants for these upgrades floridaallrisk.com.
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Consider cool‑roof or energy‑efficient upgrades: Upgrading insulation, adding reflective coatings or installing attic ventilation can improve energy efficiency and may qualify for incentives floridapace.gov.
3. Understand your roof’s age and inspection rights
Florida law protects roofs under 15 years old from non‑renewal solely due to age floridapace.gov. If your roof is older:
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Hire a licensed inspector: Ask a qualified professional to assess your roof and provide a written certification that it has at least five years of life left floridapace.gov.
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Submit the report to your insurer: Many companies will accept the certification and continue coverage. If they refuse, use the report to shop other carriers.
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Plan ahead: Start obtaining quotes and preparing for replacement when your roof is about 18–20 years old or if the inspector notes significant wear. Upgrading on your terms allows you to select materials and contractors rather than rushing after a cancellation.
4. Shop around and compare policies
With more carriers in the market, homeowners should compare quotes from multiple insurers. Policy terms vary widely, and new entrants may offer competitive rates or discounts for upgraded roofs. Don’t wait until your renewal date; start contacting insurers as soon as you receive a notice. Independent agents can help you navigate quotes from several carriers.
5. Use mitigation and financing programs
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My Safe Florida Home: This state program offers grants (up to $10,000) for storm‑mitigation improvements like reinforced roofs and impact‑rated openings floridaallrisk.com. Check eligibility and apply early, as funds are limited.
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Citizens Property Insurance: As the insurer of last resort, Citizens can provide coverage when private insurers decline. However, coverage is limited and may carry extra surcharges, so treat it as a temporary solution.
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Financing options: Some homeowners use home‑equity lines of credit (HELOCs) or personal loans to pay for roof replacements. Loan officers note that personal loans can provide quick funds for urgent repairs cfpublic.org. However, borrowers who have already lost insurance may not qualify for HELOCs cfpublic.org. Speak with a financial advisor to weigh the costs and benefits.
6. Work with licensed, local contractors
Hiring a reputable contractor is crucial for quality workmanship and insurance compliance. The 2025 roofing legislation expands the scope of licensed roofing contractors to evaluate and enhance roof‑to‑wall connections and requires contracts to include a notice advising homeowners to confirm coverage and reimbursements with their insurer flsenate.gov. Look for contractors who are licensed, insured and familiar with Florida’s building codes. Local professionals understand how to install hurricane straps, secondary water barriers and proper underlayment to meet the 2023 Florida Building Code, which allows repairs instead of full replacements for homes built after 2009 floridapace.gov.
Final Thoughts
Florida’s insurance landscape has been battered by hurricanes, skyrocketing litigation and insurer exits, leading to a surge in policy cancellations. Yet, the tide is turning. Legislative reforms have curbed abusive litigation and encouraged new carriers to enter the market, producing profits for insurers and modest rate declines renegadeinsurance.com floridaallrisk.com. Homeowners still face challenges—non‑renewal rates remain high, premiums are expensive and climate risks are escalating—but knowledge and preparation can make all the difference.
Your roof is at the center of this issue. By understanding Florida’s 15‑year roof rule floridapace.gov, investing in durable materials, scheduling regular inspections and taking advantage of mitigation grants floridaallrisk.com, you can keep your home insurable and possibly lower your premiums. If you do receive a non‑renewal notice, act quickly: gather quotes, request a roof certification and explore state programs like My Safe Florida Home. In many cases, homeowners who take proactive steps find new coverage and end up with a stronger, safer roof than before.
At Orange Contracting and Roofing, we help Central Florida residents protect their homes. Our licensed team stays up to date on the latest building codes, mitigation techniques and insurance requirements. Whether you need a professional roof inspection, help navigating a non‑renewal, or guidance on upgrades that will strengthen your home against the next storm, we’re here to support you. Don’t wait for a cancellation notice—contact us today to schedule a free inspection and learn how we can help you stay covered for the long haul.
Call Orange Contracting and Roofing at 407-205-2676 or email [email protected]
The company’s office is located at 105 Candace Dr., Suite 129, Maitland, FL 32751