The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA), alongside six of its member companies—Karnak, SR Products, ICP Group, Lanco, Polyglass, and the Henry Company—recently met with representatives from the CFO’s office at the Florida State Capitol to discuss the pressing insurance challenges facing the roof coatings industry. The meeting focused on the significant impact of recent legislative changes on residential roofing in Florida, and the unintended consequences these changes are having on both the industry and property owners.

During the meeting, RCMA and its members expressed their concerns about how the current regulations are adversely affecting low slope roofing systems. These roofs are being unfairly grouped under the same regulations, leading to disproportionate challenges for property owners, particularly in multi-family residential buildings.

Key Issues Discussed:

1.Unfair Classification of Roofing Types  

The current regulations do not distinguish between low slope and steep slope roofing, despite their different functions. This misclassification is causing undue strain on homeowners, particularly in condominium complexes where many residents are seniors on fixed incomes.

2.Financial and Environmental Impacts

The requirement to remove and replace roofs over 15 years old—despite their continued functionality—is significantly increasing insurance premiums, HOA fees, and overall costs for homeowners. Furthermore, this mandate is contributing to environmental concerns, as the forced removal of functional roofs is leading to unnecessary waste and filling up Florida’s diminishing landfill space.

3.Impact on the Commercial Sector

Commercial roofing businesses are also feeling the pinch, with the prohibitive costs of replacing functional roofs threatening the viability of businesses and undermining the state’s economic stability.

Proposed Solutions:

1.Reclassification of Low Slope Roofing

RCMA urged the removal of low slope roofing from the Citizens Insurance program to reflect its unique characteristics and reduce the financial burden on property owners.

2.Redefinition of “Authorized Inspector”

The group also recommended revising the definition of an “Authorized Inspector” in HB 15D to include only qualified professionals, such as licensed contractors and registered roof consultants, ensuring that their assessments are accepted without question by Citizens Insurance.

3.Establishment of a Public Appellate Process

Finally, RCMA called for the creation of a clear and accessible public appellate process to address disputes and enhance transparency within the insurance system.

RCMA and our member companies remain committed to working collaboratively with Florida’s leadership to address these critical issues. The association looks forward to continuing its advocacy to protect homeowners, businesses, and the environment while supporting the integrity and sustainability of Florida’s roofing industry.

Contact RCMA Executive Director, Jenn Brake, at jbrake@roofcoatings.org if you have any questions or would like to get more involved in this initiative.