Updated October 2026. Preventive roof care for storm country: what to do before, during and after hurricane season, and how roof age affects insurance in Florida. Statutes, NOAA and InterNACHI read October 28, 2026.
In storm country, preventive care is what keeps a roof insurable as well as dry. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 (NOAA). In Florida, an insurer can’t refuse to cover a home only because its roof is under 15 years old, and an older roof stays eligible if an inspection shows 5+ years of life left (s. 627.7011, F.S.). Inspect, document and repair early.
Jump to: ⏱️ Storm calendar · 💲 Roof age and insurance · 🪜 Repair or replace · 🏠 Everyday care · 🤝 Selling or buying · ❓ FAQ
Key takeaways
- An average Atlantic season brings 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes (NOAA, 1991 to 2020).
- Florida law: no refusal solely for roof age under 15 years; 15+ year roofs get an inspection option (s. 627.7011, F.S.).
- If a roof built to the 2007 Florida Building Code or later is 25% or more damaged, only the repaired part must meet current code (s. 553.844, F.S.).
- My Safe Florida Home offers free wind-mitigation inspections and grants of up to $10,000 for approved upgrades.
Our first roof guide, on how to extend the life of your roof with a schedule by roof type, covers the yearly basics. This one is for owners who live with hurricanes, tropical storms or hail, where one bad night can undo years of care, and where the insurance company has opinions about your roof.
What should you do before, during and after storm season?
NOAA’s National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Based on 1991 to 2020, an average season has 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major ones. The first named storm usually forms in mid to late June. Build your roof care around those dates.
April to May: before the season. Book a professional inspection. Ask the roofer to check for loose or lifted shingles and tiles, worn flashing, and any soft decking. Have small repairs done now, while roofers aren’t swamped. Clean gutters and downspouts so heavy rain can drain.
Trim the trees. Overhanging limbs are the most common way a storm turns into a roof claim. Plan tree trimming before June, and hire an arborist for anything large or near power lines. Remove dead branches first.
June to November: during the season. Take date-stamped photos of every roof slope and the attic now, while everything is intact. Store them in the cloud with your policy. When a storm is coming, tie down or bring in anything that can fly: patio furniture, planters, grills.
After a storm. Check from the ground the same day. Look for missing shingles or tiles in the yard, bent flashing, dented gutters and new stains on ceilings. Photograph damage before anything is moved. Cover an opening with a tarp only if you can do it safely; otherwise call a roofer. Report damage to your insurer quickly and keep every receipt.
How does roof age affect insurance in Florida?
Florida changed the rules in 2022. Under s. 627.7011(5), Florida Statutes, for policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2022:
- An insurer may not refuse to issue or renew a homeowner’s policy solely because the roof is less than 15 years old.
- For a roof at least 15 years old, the insurer must let you get an inspection by an authorized inspector, at your expense, before requiring replacement.
- If that inspection shows 5 or more years of useful life left, the insurer may not refuse the policy solely because of roof age.
- Roof age counts from the last date 100% of the roof was built or replaced under the code in force at the time.
Authorized inspectors include licensed home inspectors, building code inspectors, general or roofing contractors, engineers and architects the insurer approves. Keep your permit and final inspection papers; they prove the roof’s age.
Wind mitigation also matters. Roof-to-wall connections, roof shape and opening protection can earn premium discounts. The state’s My Safe Florida Home program offers free wind-mitigation inspections and grants of up to $10,000 for approved upgrades to eligible homeowners. Check eligibility before hurricane season, since funding rounds can close.
Should you repair or replace a storm-damaged roof?
Start with the code question. Florida’s old “25% rule” pushed many owners into a full replacement after partial damage. Under s. 553.844(5), Florida Statutes, if a roof or roof section was built, repaired or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or a later edition, and 25% or more of it is being repaired, replaced or recovered, only the repaired part has to meet the current code. Local governments can’t override that exception.
Then look at age and condition. InterNACHI notes roofs in areas with hail, tornadoes or hurricanes “may also experience a shorter-than-normal lifespan,” and that isolated damage needs repair to protect the surrounding material. A young roof with a few lost shingles is a repair. An old roof with damage on several slopes may not be worth patching.
Between those two, there are middle paths. Coatings, partial re-roofing and other roof replacement alternatives can buy time on a roof that’s tired but sound. Get two written opinions, and ask each roofer how the option affects your insurance and warranty.
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Buy a home →What everyday care keeps a roof storm-ready?
Gutters and drainage. Tropical downpours dump a lot of water fast. A well-maintained gutter system carries it away from the fascia and foundation. Clean gutters at least twice a year, more under trees, and consider guards.
Moss, algae and heat. Humid shade grows algae on shingles, and constant sun bakes them. InterNACHI says hot climates “drastically reduce asphalt shingle life.” Keep attic vents clear so heat and moisture can escape, and have algae cleaned gently, never with a pressure washer.
Leaks. Check ceilings and the attic after every heavy rain. A small leak left alone becomes mold and rotten decking.
If you move north. The risk changes in cold states. There, the job is to prevent ice dams with even attic insulation and good ventilation, so melting snow doesn’t refreeze at the eaves and back up under shingles.
For more upkeep ideas, read how to make a roof last longer: tips from the pros, the six roof maintenance tips that matter more than you think and our guide to roofing inspections for homeowners.
What does roof age mean when you sell or buy in Florida?
Buyers in Florida ask about the roof early, because their insurance quote depends on it. A seller with a newer roof, permits and a wind-mitigation report answers that question before it slows the deal. Roof issues are one of the ways roof problems compromise home value, and simple upkeep is one of the ways owners increase property value with maintenance.
Selling? A Beycome listing puts your home on the major home search sites and the MLS for $99, with $0 due to Beycome at closing; list the roof year and material in the description. See the flat fee MLS packages. For the closing, Beycome Title charges $99 in Florida (prepaid at checkout) and a $299 settlement fee per side in Texas.
Buying? Ask for the roof permit, the age and a wind-mitigation report before you’re under contract, and get an insurance quote during your inspection period. Our buyer program is open to every buyer on homes listed by other agents, with no upfront fee.
Storm-season roof care: questions
Can my Florida insurer drop me because my roof is old?
Not solely for age if the roof is under 15 years old. For 15+ year roofs, you can get an inspection; if it shows 5+ years of life left, age alone can’t be the reason (s. 627.7011, F.S.).
What is the 25% roof rule in Florida?
For roofs built to the 2007 Florida Building Code or later, repairing 25% or more no longer forces a full code upgrade; only the repaired part must meet current code (s. 553.844, F.S.).
When is hurricane season?
June 1 to November 30 in the Atlantic basin, according to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center.
When should I inspect my roof in storm country?
Once in spring before the season, and again after any named storm or hail event that passes near you.
What is a wind-mitigation inspection?
An inspection of features that resist wind, like roof-to-wall connections and opening protection. In Florida it can lower premiums, and My Safe Florida Home offers free ones to eligible owners.
Should I document my roof before a storm?
Yes. Date-stamped photos of every slope and the attic make an insurance claim much easier.
Florida rules from s. 627.7011(5) and s. 553.844(5), Florida Statutes, read October 28, 2026; they apply to Florida homeowner policies and roofs only. Storm averages from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center climatology (1991 to 2020). Beycome prices as of October 2026; “$0 at closing” means no Beycome fee at closing, other closing costs still apply. Buyer program: no upfront fee; Beycome keeps 1% of the price (minimum $1,499) and credits the rest of any buyer-agent commission offered at closing, with lender approval; not available on most FSBO homes or homes listed by Beycome sellers. Beycome Title: Florida and Texas today; Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana starting November 2, 2026. General information, not legal or insurance advice.
Sources
- NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical cyclone climatology, read October 28, 2026.
- Florida Statutes, s. 627.7011, read October 28, 2026.
- Florida Statutes, s. 553.844, read October 28, 2026.
- My Safe Florida Home program, read October 28, 2026.
- InterNACHI, Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes, read October 28, 2026.
- Beycome, listing package features, October 2026.
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