Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to Allow Roof Deductibles

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is the office in charge of insurance regulation throughout the state of Florida. At the end of March 2022, its Commissioner told the state cabinet they would soon allow insurers to offer roof deductibles and a legal schedule on how roof replacements will be paid by insurers who opt into the program. The Office's Commissioner cites rising property damage insurance premiums for homeowners and claims this could reduce the burden on homeowners.

Florida's lawmakers have consistently cited rampant false roof claims as the cause of rising property insurance rates and insurers leaving the state en masse. However, insurers and lawmakers have failed to acknowledge the cost of lengthy litigation caused by false denials.

The Office's new rule is not a mandate, but rather an option given to insurance companies which requires homeowners to opt in. Homeowners who choose this option would be limited on recovery to the schedule published by the Office and have to pay an additional deductible if their roof is damaged. This option pushes costs to the consumer, rather than the insurers, once again.

This article is not intended to be legal advice nor create an attorney-client relationship.