The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has approved an update to Citizens' Commercial Lines Rule 103.11 in the Underwriting Manuals, effective August 1, 2024, for new and renewal business. This rule pertains to the remaining useful life (RUL) of a roof and allows for a one-time exception to provide coverage beyond a stated roof age when the roof is in acceptable condition. The rule clarification is outlined below.

Remaining Useful Life Exception

The current roof coverage age replacement requirements rule is amended to clarify to agents that the RUL exception is granted only on a one-time basis. The exception will only be given after documentation (e.g., a Citizens Commercial Roof Condition Inspection Form or an equivalent document providing similar information from a Florida-licensed roofing or general contractor) is submitted to Underwriting and approved.

This rule is effective August 1, 2024, for both new and renewal policies.

• The RUL exception beyond the stated roof age is only applicable when:
  • The acceptable inspection report/documentation establishes a remaining life expectancy of the roof covering to function as intended based upon an inspection of the roof’s present condition from natural, climatic, or other conditions
  • It is the only such exception granted (on a one-time basis)
• Underwriting Guidelines will be updated for all Commercial Lines of business.

Note: Despite the information presented by the inspector regarding the roof’s age and RUL, Citizens reserves the right to render a final decision on the overall insurability of the roof including the duration of RUL.

Courtesy Letter for Remaining Useful Life

Additionally, Citizens will now send a courtesy letter informing policyholders that their policy will be nonrenewed according to the roof’s age and if the roof’s RUL equals one year or less. This courtesy letter will be sent in addition to, and not in lieu of, a nonrenewal notice related to RUL.

Resources

• Uploading and Linking Documents: On the Agents site, select Training > Commercial Job Aids > Basics.
• Commercial Lines Resources Guide: On the Agents site, select Training > Commercial Job Aids > Resources.
• Agents can upload the Commercial Roof Condition Inspection Form (CL-RCF-1 07 17) to document roof condition and updates.
• On the Agents site, select Commercial → CR-M, CR-W, CNR-M, or CNR-W, and select Manuals.