Taking a data-driven view of evolving Florida roof risk

July 15, 2022 / 2 min read

Florida’s changing statutory environment surrounding insurance coverage for roofs may demand more robust data to clarify the risk amid increasing complexity. Bills SB 2D1 and SB 4D2, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on May 26, enacted rules concerning issuing and renewing homeowners’ policies and attorneys’ fees related to such claims.

Verisk’s data can help insurers address this unique market more precisely with key roof data such as age, condition, shape, and material. Verisk used this data to analyze the Florida market in a new study.

florida-roof

Nearly 37% of roofs in critical condition are under five years old in Florida.

Analyzing critical roof attributes

The data shows that roof age and condition tend to correlate, with newer roofs having better condition scores than older ones. But there are significant exceptions; newer roofs account for the highest percentage of severe roof conditions in Florida.

Florida overall has a significantly higher percentage of roofs in critical or severe condition—21.6% versus 1.4% nationally. Higher exposure to extremes of heat, humidity, tropical cyclones, and UV rays tend to shorten roofs’ lifespans in Florida, where 36.8% of homes have 5 or less years of remaining useful roof life.

chart-roof-condition-by-age

Drivers of resiliency

Certain roof materials and shapes contribute to resiliency in the Florida market.

Shingles are most common in Florida, but builders install metal and tile roofs more frequently than in other states. These types are more resistant to damage when winds reach 125-140 mph, and tile roofs also have a generally longer life span.
Hip roofs are more common in Florida than they are nationwide, and this shape tends to perform better in hurricane and tropical storm conditions.

But other Florida-specific trends in roofing can raise the risk profile. Solar panels, for example, have seen wide adoption in Florida’s sunny climate. They can present additional risk of fire and other hazards.

Confronting complexity

Given the legal, structural, and environmental complexities in Florida, insurers may need to carefully examine their Florida portfolios and the tools they use to manage the exposure. Verisk can help with deep data and analytics.