Country Club Living - Palm Beach North - November 2026

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 6 | C O U N T R Y C L U B L I V I N G - PA L M B E A C H N O R T H 1 5 – By John Carr, President and CEO, Roofing & Restoration of Florida, Inc. - Protect Your Roof and Your Insurance Coverage Community A roof approaching 15 to 20 years old can put insurance renewal under closer scrutiny. Waiting for a cancellation or nonrenewal notice leaves little time to respond. Florida homeowners, condominium associations, and commercial building owners can prepare now by documenting roof conditions and addressing problems before renewal. In Florida's insurance market, carriers evaluate roof age and condition because deterioration can increase storm damage and water intrusion risks. Requirements vary by insurer and policy type. A roof that appears sound may have damaged flashing, deteriorated underlayment, or failing seams that require attention. Schedule a roof assessment before your policy renews. I recommend allowing 60 to 90 days for inspections, repairs, and documentation. Ask your agent which forms the carrier requires and confirm the inspector's qualifications and approval requirements before hiring them. For properties with several buildings, identify each roof, including its installation date and repair history. The assessment should describe roofing materials, deficiencies, and estimated remaining useful life, supported by photographs. Tile assessments should consider underlayment. Flat roof assessments should address seams, penetrations, drainage, and signs of ponding water. A visual inspection has limitations, and suspected concealed problems may require further investigation. Complete repairs and document the results. Missing shingles, broken tiles, deteriorated flashing, and active leaks deserve attention. Keep gutters, drains, and scuppers clear. Commercial owners and condominium boards should also coordinate rooftop equipment servicing so contractors avoid damaging roofing materials. Obtain repair invoices, photographs, and an assessment when appropriate. Maintain a roof records folder with permits, final inspections, warranties, maintenance reports, repair invoices, and photographs. Repairs generally do not reset roof age. Do not assume a coating qualifies as replacement or automatically meets underwriting requirements. Association boards should use inspection findings to guide reserve planning, while commercial owners should budget for replacement. Keep inspection reports current between renewals. Understand which protections apply. Florida Statute 627.7011 prevents insurers from refusing to issue or renew a homeowners policy solely because the roof is less than 15 years old. For roofs at least 15 years old, homeowners must be allowed an inspection at their expense by an authorized inspector approved by the insurer before replacement is required for issuance or renewal. An inspection showing at least five years of remaining useful life prevents refusal based solely on age. Other lawful underwriting reasons still apply. These protections generally do not extend to condominium association master policies or commercial property policies. If you receive a cancellation or nonrenewal notice, contact your agent. Ask for the reason, corrective requirements, and deadline. Submit documentation and request written confirmation of the insurer's decision. Repairs do not automatically withdraw a notice. If unresolved, contact Florida's insurance consumer helpline at 1-877 693-5236 and explore coverage before the policy ends. As the owner of a roofing company and licensed public adjuster, my advice is to act before renewal becomes urgent. Maintenance and documentation cannot guarantee coverage, but they give your insurer information and give you time to make decisions about repairs or replacement. For a free consultation, contact John Carr at 561-557-6048 or john@rroffl.com. This Palm Beach County Law Firm is headquartered in North Palm Beach, Florida, and has emerged as a recognized leader in real estate and commercial transactions. Founded in 1990, the Law Firm has successfully engaged in some of the largest and most complex transactions in South Florida. • Real Estate • Litigation / Appellate Law • Administrative Agencies • Corporation and Partnership Law • Employment Law • Probate Administration • Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning • Taxation • Construction Lien Law AREAS OF PRACTICE AREAS OF PRACTICE This Palm Beach County Law Firm is headquarted in North Palm Beach, Florida, and has emerged as a recognized leader in real estate and commercial transactions. Founded in 1990, the Law Firm has successfully engaged in some of the largest and most complex transactions in South Florida. • Real Estate • Litigation/Appellate Law • Administrative Agencies • Corporation and Partnership Law • Employmen Law • Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning • Probate Administration • Taxation • Construction Lien Law 712 US Highway 1, Suite 400, North Palm Beach, Fl 33408 • 561-844-3600 / www.COHENNORRIS.COM 301 Yamato Road, Suite 4120, B ca Raton, FL 33431 • 12300 South Shore Boulevard, Suite 202,Wellington, Florida 33414