The recent arrest of two men associated with a large Florida roofing company, on charges of offering “free roofs” and rebates to cover homeowners’ insurance deductibles, has met with strong reactions around the state.
The insurance industry has complained loudly that schemes by roofers to claim that age-related wear and tear is due to wind or hail damage, to be covered by insurance payments, have grown more numerous in recent years and are driving up insurance costs and premiums.
Some said Wednesday that prohibitions against deductible schemes have been in place in Florida statutes for years, and the arrests are long overdue. Others said that the charges, brought by investigators with the state Department of Financial Services, could send a needed signal to unscrupulous roofing contractors in the state.
“Publicizing these arrests is a very positive thing,” said Michael Peltier, communications chief for Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the largest homeowners underwriter in Florida. “We have seen a surge in these types of roofing cases in the last few years.”
“The idea of enforcing the regulations is a welcome thing,” said Mike Silvers, director of technical services for the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association. “This is a widespread problem and it’s creating problems on a lot of levels,” including harming those businesses who don’t peddle questionable insurance claims.
Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis’ office…
