Updated November 4, 2026
Why the roof matters so much
Four of the nine items on the wind mitigation form relate directly to the roof: roof covering, roof deck attachment, roof-to-wall attachment, and secondary water resistance. Roof shape is a fifth. A roof replacement can change several of these answers.
Permits and paperwork
Roof work generally requires a permit from your city or the county, and the permit date matters. Citizens' guidelines say that for homes outside Miami-Dade and Broward, the roof permit application must be dated 3/1/2002 or later for the roof covering feature, and that permit information is the primary document for roof covering. See the Citizens guidelines. Ask your roofer to pull the permit and give you a copy and a paid invoice.
What to ask your roofer
- How will the roof deck be fastened, and can it be documented with photos?
- Will a secondary water barrier be installed, and what method?
- Are there roof-to-wall connections that can be improved?
- Will the covering have a Florida product approval number?
- Will you take photos during the work, before the roof is covered?
Building code requirements for re-roofing can change, so ask the roofer and your building department what applies to your home.
Get photos while the roof is open
The form needs photos or documents for each feature. Deck nailing and sealing methods are easiest to prove while the roof is open. Ask for dated photos from your contractor for your records.
Schedule an updated inspection
After the new roof is done and permitted, an updated wind mitigation inspection can document the new features. Because the form is valid for up to five years only if no material changes are made, a new roof is a good reason to get a fresh one.
Roof age and your insurer
A January 2026 Senate staff analysis describes current law (section 627.7011(5)): an insurer may not refuse to issue or renew a homeowner policy solely because of roof age if the roof is under 15 years old. If the roof is 15 years or older, the owner may have an inspection by an authorized inspector at the owner's expense, and the insurer may not refuse solely due to roof age if the inspection finds at least five years of useful life remaining. See the analysis. Confirm the current statute, since proposals to change it have been filed.
Timing tips
Do not replace a roof just for a discount without getting quotes and asking your insurer how it would treat a new roof. If a replacement is already planned, line up the permit, photos, and inspection together.
Documents to keep
- Permit and final inspection sign-off
- Paid-in-full invoice showing the install date
- Product approval information for the roof covering
- Photos taken before the roof was covered
- Your new wind mitigation form
These are the same kinds of documents Citizens lists for roof covering. Store copies digitally and on paper.
Hiring a roofer
Florida contractors must be licensed. Check a roofer's license with the state's Department of Business and Professional Regulation before signing, get multiple written quotes, and ask how they handle permits. Prices vary; get quotes. Ask your insurer before you sign whether it has requirements for a replacement roof.
Roof-to-wall and deck: why they are hard to change later
Deck nailing and secondary water barriers are far easier to address during a re-roof than afterward, because the covering is already off. Roof-to-wall connections are in the attic or framing and may take separate work. If you are thinking about improving them, ask a licensed contractor or engineer what is practical for your home, and ask your insurer how the change would be treated on the form.
Frequently asked questions
Does a new roof automatically lower my premium?
No. Your insurer decides credits based on its filed rates and the information on the form.
Do I need a new wind mitigation form after a new roof?
The form is valid up to five years only if no material changes are made, so a new roof is a good reason to update it.
Where do I find my roof permit?
Ask your roofer, or check with your city or county building department.