[fourjayranch]

We received a letter today from the Villages Insurance stating that our roof needs to be replaced due to “wear and tear with granular loss.” The carrier is Cabrillo Coastal.

The roof is 17 years old. Last fall, I had the roof inspected by a local roofing company whose representative stated the the roof was in good shape and had an additional 2-3 years of life.

I plan on calling the Villages Insurance tomorrow, but I’m wondering if anyone has experienced something similar and how you handled it.

[retiredguy123]

It sounds like it is time for a new roof. I don't think you have much choice. If the company who inspected your roof last fall was someone who knocked on your door unsolicited, don't hire them. McGinnis is a good company, but you should get at least two quotes from licensed roofers. And, whoever you hire, don't pay any money in advance.

[fourjayranch]

Yes. Actually the reason I had the roof inspected last fall was because I was being solicited for a free roof inspection by a company based in Orlando. The rep didn’t seem like the most ethical person so I decided to contact someone on my own to do the inspection. Thanks for the information.

[EdFNJ]

Seems legit. A friend recently bought a home in a development in Brevard county and they had 2 insurance companies refuse insurance unless they replaced their 15 yr old roof. They found one that did not require replacement but their rates were over 2x the one that did.

[rjm1cc]

I think most co's like the roof to be replaced at 15 years. You might try showing them your report and ask for a renewal and you will get the roof replace for the following year renewal.

[mike234]

I have never heard of something like that. are they really going around and telling people to replace your roof, or else no insurance?

[sdeikenberry]

In our neighborhood several homes sold required a new roof before the new owners could get insurance. Home insurance companies want to protect their investment, and an old roof can cause major damage inside the home if it fails during a storm...especially if the roof is the old 3 tab shingle. New shingles are much better at withstanding storms. And, if you're a homeowner, why wouldn't you want to protect your inside home also? The same logic for replacing a worn roof is the same as replacing those worn tires on your car...sure you might get another 5K miles, but is it worth the risk?

[Northerner52]

I'd rather pay a monthly bond payment than have to put a new roof on or replace the AC

[JudyLife]

I had exactly the same last year with Carrillo. We live in the U.K. so felt unable to faff about & had a new roof in June 2020 done by ‘The Roof Guys’ who were great to work with. The roof was 13 yrs old. Had we been permanent in TV I would’ve probably just had a company inspect & repair any ‘loose or lifting tiles’ but being so far away it was a real worry, so decided to just go for the new roof.

[ssimone45]

My insurance rate went up 25% because of the storm damage in the area and all the roofs that were being replaced even though I didn’t buy into the roof scam. My roof is 13 years old!

[matandch]

Big brother is watching.

[Leadbone1]

Unless or until you have a problem with your roof it’s nobody’s business to tell you that it needs to be replaced. That said several insurance companies will not ensure a roof that is over a certain age. But if you already have this company then they don’t drop you because of it. Also I’m sure they did not offer to pay for it? I got mine replaced as it was 20 years old but it was because of a wind storm that came through and did damage. My insurance did not pay for the whole roof but ended up paying for like half of it. I don’t get any of my insurance through the villages.

[Debra Freeman]

I have had several insurance companies tell me they won’t insure a home after about 15-17 years. It is indeed the business of your insurance company to weigh their liabilities. A roof in Florida is good for about 15-17 years. I have had to replace roofs many times on many homes because insurance companies won’t continue insurance. You have no choice except wait for a hurricane and put in a claim or replace the roof and have insurance.

[DIver0258]

Originally Posted by mike234

I have never heard of something like that. are they really going around and telling people to replace your roof, or else no insurance?

This does happen. We were with Villages insurance, they almost doubled our premium and stated they wanted the roof replaced to continue coverage. Some are blaming the roofers that are replacing roofs with storm damage running claims numbers up. We chose to insure with another company.

When we sold the property in July 2020, the purchaser had to sign a waiver at closing acknowledging that the roof was 12 yrs old and would need replacement in a few years.

[markusb741]

Cabrillo did the same thing to us last year. We tried 8 different insurance companies and got the same answer, NO, because the roof was to old. Apparently, they go to local authority to see when last building permit was taken to replace the roof. The only company that would give us insurance was USAA, at twice the cost we previously paid. We had Batterbee Roofing come out to inspect our roof and they found no problems with it other than it was old, meaning no insurance claim and we had to pay for a new roof ourselves. I think the insurance companies are getting wise to all the roofs they have been paying for the last two years. Good luck