Insurance Roof Inspection & Roof Certification — Broward & Palm Beach Counties
Insurance-compliant roof inspection and certification services for property insurance underwriting, coverage eligibility, and carrier-required documentation in South Florida.
Insurance Roof Inspection Overview
Insurance-driven roof inspections are diagnostic evaluations required by property insurance carriers to assess risk, determine coverage eligibility, and establish premium rates. These inspections differ from standard condition assessments in scope, documentation requirements, and regulatory compliance.
In Florida, insurance carriers—including Citizens Property Insurance Corporation—mandate specific inspection protocols, form completion standards, and licensed contractor certifications to validate roof condition and remaining useful life.
Roof Certification vs. Standard Inspection
Roof Certification
A formal certification is a licensed contractor's attestation that a roof system meets specific performance criteria and has a documented remaining useful life. Certifications are legally binding statements used for insurance underwriting and may require professional liability coverage from the certifying contractor.
Standard Roof Inspection
A diagnostic evaluation of current condition, defects, and system performance. Standard inspections document findings but do not provide formal certification or attestation of remaining useful life for insurance purposes.
Citizens Property Insurance Requirements
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation—Florida's insurer of last resort—maintains specific roof inspection and certification requirements that differ from private carriers:
Roof Age Documentation
Citizens requires proof of roof age through building permits, installation invoices, or contractor affidavits. Roofs 15 years or older may require certification or face coverage restrictions.
Remaining Useful Life Certification
Licensed contractors must certify remaining useful life of at least 5 years for roofs approaching age thresholds. Certification requires documented inspection and material-specific analysis.
HVHZ Compliance Verification
Properties in High Velocity Hurricane Zones (Broward and southern Palm Beach County) require verification of code-compliant installation, including fastening schedules and approved materials.
Licensed Contractor Requirement
Only Florida-licensed general contractors (CGC) or certified roofing contractors (CCC) may provide roof certifications accepted by Citizens. All Phase Construction USA holds both CGC-1526236 and CCC-1331464 licenses.
Wind Mitigation vs. Roof Certification
These Are Different Evaluations
A wind mitigation inspection evaluates structural features that reduce hurricane damage risk and qualify for insurance premium discounts. A roof certification documents roof condition and remaining useful life for coverage eligibility.
Important: Wind mitigation inspections are typically conducted by licensed home inspectors or engineers. Roof certifications must be completed by licensed roofing contractors. These are separate services with different documentation requirements.
Insurance Inspection Process
Carrier Requirements Review
We verify your insurance carrier's specific inspection requirements, form types, and documentation standards. Citizens, private carriers, and surplus lines insurers have different protocols.
Comprehensive Roof Evaluation
Physical inspection of roof covering, underlayment condition (if accessible), fastening integrity, flashing systems, and visible defects. Evaluation follows Florida Building Code standards and material-specific inspection protocols.
Documentation & Photography
Detailed photographic documentation of roof system components, material condition, and any defects. Insurance carriers require specific photo angles and coverage areas.
Certification or Report Completion
Licensed contractor completes required forms, provides remaining useful life determination, and signs certification under penalty of perjury. Report includes contractor license numbers, insurance verification, and supporting documentation.
Delivery to Carrier or Agent
Completed certification and supporting documentation delivered directly to insurance carrier, agent, or property owner as specified. Digital delivery meets most carrier requirements.
What Our Insurance Roof Inspections Provide
All Phase Construction USA provides insurance-compliant roof inspections and documentation services for property owners, insurance agents, and underwriters in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
Roof System Condition Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation of roof covering materials, visible fastening, flashing systems, and surface defects performed by licensed CGC/CCC contractors with documented inspection protocols.
Visible Damage and Deterioration Documentation
Identification and description of observed material degradation, broken components, improper installations, and active defects documented according to industry standards and carrier requirements.
Photo-Supported Findings
High-resolution digital photography documenting overall roof condition, material close-ups, flashing details, and specific problem areas with date stamps and metadata as required by carriers.
Written Summary Suitable for Insurance Review
Formal inspection report or certification letter prepared on contractor letterhead, including material specifications, installation date verification, and contractor license documentation meeting carrier-specific formatting requirements.
Clear Statement of Observed Conditions Only
Independent professional judgment documenting actual roof condition at time of inspection. Findings reflect observed physical evidence and cannot be influenced by property owner's insurance situation, financial constraints, or desired outcomes.
Important Disclosure
Insurance roof inspections document existing conditions and do not guarantee insurance approval, policy issuance, or specific underwriting decisions. Insurance carriers independently evaluate inspection findings according to their proprietary underwriting standards.
All Phase Construction USA provides accurate, truthful documentation based on physical inspection evidence. We cannot certify roofs that do not meet minimum condition standards, and we cannot predict or influence carrier approval decisions.
Common Insurance Inspection Scenarios
New Policy Application
Insurance carriers often require roof inspection and certification before issuing new coverage, particularly for roofs over 10 years old or properties in coastal areas.
Typical turnaround: 3-5 business days for inspection and certification delivery.
Policy Renewal or Non-Renewal Notice
Carriers may require updated roof certification at renewal, especially if the roof has aged into a higher risk category since policy inception. Non-renewal notices sometimes provide opportunity for reconsideration with current certification.
Typical turnaround: Expedited service available for renewal deadlines.
Real Estate Transaction
Property sales often require roof certification for buyer's insurance qualification. Sellers may obtain certification proactively to avoid transaction delays.
Typical turnaround: 2-3 business days to accommodate closing timelines.
Post-Storm Coverage Verification
Following named storms or hurricane events, carriers may require certification that roof system remains in serviceable condition and has not sustained unreported damage.
Typical turnaround: High demand periods may extend normal timelines.
What Insurance Inspections Do Not Cover
Insurance roof inspections and certifications are limited-scope evaluations focused on underwriting requirements. They do not include:
- •Comprehensive structural engineering analysis
- •Moisture intrusion detection or thermal imaging
- •Attic ventilation assessment or energy efficiency evaluation
- •Invasive testing or destructive material sampling
- •Code compliance verification beyond roof covering requirements
- •Warranty validation or manufacturer defect investigation
Why Contractor License Type Matters
Florida law restricts who may provide roof certifications for insurance purposes. Understanding license classifications prevents invalid certifications that carriers will reject:
Licensed General Contractor (CGC)
Authorized to certify all roof types and provide insurance-compliant documentation. General contractors have unrestricted scope for roof inspection and certification work.
Certified Roofing Contractor (CCC)
Authorized to certify all roof types and provide insurance-compliant documentation. Roofing contractors specialize in roof systems and are accepted by all carriers.
Licensed Home Inspectors
Not authorized to provide roof certifications for insurance underwriting purposes in Florida. Home inspectors may conduct inspections but cannot certify remaining useful life or sign contractor-required certification forms.
Unlicensed "Roof Inspectors"
Certifications from unlicensed individuals will be rejected by insurance carriers and may constitute unlicensed contracting, a criminal offense in Florida.