Help With a Roof Insurance Claim in Tampa

A roof insurance claim in Tampa goes more smoothly when the paperwork is clear: what happened, when, what it damaged and what the repair costs. That part we can help with. The claim itself is between you and your insurer, and Florida law keeps it that way.

What we provide

Dated photos. Every sign of damage we find is photographed, with close-ups and wider shots so it’s clear where on the roof each one is.

A written report. A plain description of what we found, slope by slope, including what isn’t damaged. A report that only lists problems is less useful than one that shows the whole roof.

An itemized estimate. Florida requires a contractor to give you a good faith estimate, itemized by materials and services, before you sign an agreement for repairs paid by a claim. Ours lists every line: tear-off, decking, underlayment, covering, flashing, permit and cleanup. You can hand it to your insurer or compare it with anyone else’s.

A record of temporary repairs. If we tarp the roof or stop a leak before the permanent repair, you get photos and an invoice for that work too.

What we don’t do

Florida’s rules for roofing contractors and insurance claims are specific, and they protect you. We don’t:

• interpret your policy or tell you what it covers
• adjust your claim or negotiate with your insurer on your behalf
• offer to pay or waive your deductible, or give rebates, gifts or gift cards for an inspection or a claim
• ask you to sign over your insurance benefits. On policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, Florida law makes an assignment of post-loss benefits void.

If you want someone to handle the claim for you, that’s the job of a licensed public adjuster or an attorney, and we’re happy to work alongside whoever you choose.

Deadlines to know

Under Florida law, notice of a property insurance claim has to reach your insurer within 1 year after the date of loss, and a supplemental claim for more damage from the same event within 18 months. Your policy will also list duties after a loss, such as protecting the property from further damage. Our photos and report carry dates, which helps keep the timeline clear.

If your insurer asks about your roof’s age

Many Tampa homeowners hear from their insurer when a roof gets older. Florida law says an insurer can’t refuse to issue or renew a homeowner’s policy solely because the roof is less than 15 years old. For a roof that’s 15 years or older, you can have it inspected by an authorized inspector at your own expense before you’re required to replace it, and if the inspection shows at least 5 years of useful life left, age alone can’t be the reason for a refusal. We can carry out that inspection and give you a report you can send in.

Mitigation features and discounts

Florida requires insurers to include discounts or credits for construction features that reduce wind damage, such as roof covering performance, roof-to-wall strength and protection over openings. A new roof built to the current code, with its permit and photos on file, puts you in a better position to show what your home has. Our guide on the wind mitigation inspection explains how that works.

Where to start

If the damage came from a storm, start with a hurricane damage inspection. We’ll send the photos and report, and you take it from there with your insurer. We do this across Tampa, Brandon and Riverview.