Those looking to file an insurance claim to have their roof damage fixed may be eligible for an entirely new roof. To understand how, we’ll dive into Florida’s Matching Rule in Florida Statute 626.9744 ‘claim settlement practices relating to property insurance’, which explains how homeowners are covered in the event that they need repairs but materials aren’t available.
In short, the statute explains that if a roof cannot be repaired with materials that are similar to the ones already present, the insurer “shall make reasonable repairs or replacement of items in adjoining areas” in a matching material or replace the entire thing.
Information from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Understanding Florida’s Matching Rule
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners says that any materials that need to replaced on a house must match its current ones. This protects the homeowner from a shoddy patchwork job while also providing clear guidelines for all insurance providers as to what they need to cover in the event of a homeowners’ insurance claim. The passage reads as follows:
When a loss requires replacement of items and the replaces items do not match in quality, color, or size, the insurer shall replace all items in the area so as to conform to a reasonably uniform appearance. This applies to interior and exterior losses. The insured shall not bear any cost over the applicable deduction, if any.
Within this section, the NAIC explains other repair and replacement options as well, but this is the one that will help you understand what you should be getting from your insurance company. Along with the Florida statue which details similar protections for homeowners, you may be able to have your entire roof replaced! Here are a few key items to remember:
- If your roof has damage, don’t be afraid to file an insurance claim.
- Get with a professional who can go over your insurance coverage with you to see if you are eligible for this protection.
- If your insurance does not mention it and the materials to fix your roof are not an exact match, you could have your whole roof redone.
While it may seem like a hassle to go through an insurance claims process for something that seems like a minor patch job, having mismatched materials on your house’s roof can be a detriment to your home’s value and curb appeal. Without the correct materials, your roof may end up looking odd, which can severely decrease its value.
Complications With Insurance
The prospect of having a new roof installed may be an exciting thing to think about, but remember that insurance companies are also privy to this information and will likely have thought of ways around it. Insurance companies are beholden to this information, but they are also exempt from it if they explicitly state that they will not cover this type of cost in your policy.
At Res Reps, we can help you go over your insurance coverage free of charge to see if you qualify for a new roof. We do all of our work for free, so we can help you from beginning to end. Let us help you go over your insurance, file the claim, and help you wrangle contractors to get you that shiny new roof.
Key Differences Between the Matching Rule & the 25% Build Code Law
According to Section 708.1.1 of the Florida Building Code, “not more than 25 percent of the total roof area or roof section of any existing building or structure shall be repaired, replaced or recovered in any 12-month period unless the entire roofing system or roof section conforms to requirements of this code.” This means that if your roof has more than 25% area of damage that occurred in a year, you could have the entire thing replaced. If the damage is less than 25%, it can be patched instead. This law is often referred to as the 25% Build Code Law.
Compared to the Matching Rule, the 25% Build Code Law may seem like a similar avenue to a free new roof. However, the Build Code Law is typically used by insurance companies against insurance owners and broken down into smaller sections, which can cost the homeowner more in the end. With a professional on your side and the right information, however, you could use the 25% Build Code Law to your advantage instead.
Possible Combinations
It may be possible to combine different approaches to insurance claims such as the Matching Rule and the 25% Build Code Law. However, these are different approaches to a similar problem, and if your insurance company has thought of blocking the other. We recommend speaking with a professional about your options on how you can best get your roof repaired or replaced. At Res Reps, we’ll do it for free!
Have a Question? Let’s Talk.
At Res Reps, we want to help homeowners and policyholders understand the best way to save money and make the most of their insurance claims. To do this, we perform all of our services for free for our clients, because we believe that homeowners should not have to struggle further just to live in their homes while insurance companies hold out. If you have any questions about your insurance policy, our services, or anything else, we would love to help. Please give us a call at (321) 537-9991 or send us an email to shoe@resreps.com. Let’s get started today.
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