If your insurance company is asking for a roof certification inspection, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common requests we see for homeowners across Florida—especially in Indian River County.
Let’s walk through what this inspection actually involves, why it matters, and how to make sure your roof passes the inspection the first time.
What Is a Roof Certification Inspection?
A roof certification is a visual inspection to document the condition of your roof, estimate its remaining useful life, and confirm that it’s free of active leaks. Insurance companies use this report to decide whether they’ll issue or renew a policy.
This inspection is not about code violations or permitting—it’s about verifying that your roof is still performing as intended.
Why Insurance Companies Request It
Most insurers in Florida want proof that your roof has at least 5 years of life remaining. This is especially true if your roof is over 10 years old for shingle, or 15+ years for tile or metal.
If your roof is nearing the end of its expected life span, your insurance company may request this inspection before renewing coverage—or offering a new policy at all.
What We Look For
During a roof certification inspection, we look at the following:
- Age of the Roof
- Type of Roof Covering (shingle, tile, metal, flat, etc.)
- Condition of Roofing Materials
- Visible Signs of Damage or Leaks
- Skylights, Vents, and Flashing
- Condition of Roof Deck and Soffits
- Ceilings Inside the Home for Signs of Water Intrusion
We document everything with photos and provide a report your insurance company can use to verify the roof’s remaining useful life.
How to Prepare for the Inspection
Want to avoid delays or re-inspections? Here’s how to make sure we can do our job quickly and efficiently:
✔️ Clear Access to Attic Areas (if applicable)
If attic access is needed, make sure the entry hatch is accessible and not blocked by storage.
✔️ Remove Belongings from Around Water-Stained Ceilings
If you’ve had past leaks, we’ll need to inspect those areas. Make sure we can easily see and photograph any problem spots.
✔️ Unlock Gates or Ladders
If we need roof access and you have a locked gate or garage, make arrangements so we can access those areas safely.
Common Issues That Cause Roofs to “Fail”
A roof can “fail” a certification inspection if:
- There are active leaks or signs of recent water intrusion.
- The shingles, tiles, or metal are cracked, missing, or excessively worn.
- There’s obvious decking damage, sagging, or rot.
- The remaining useful life is estimated under 5 years.
In those cases, we’ll document what we find—and let you or your roofer know what needs to be addressed before reinspection.
Serving Vero Beach, Sebastian, and Beyond
At SW Inspections, we perform roof certifications for homeowners and insurance agents throughout Indian River County, including Vero Beach, Sebastian, Fellsmere, and nearby areas.
We know what insurance companies are looking for, and we’ll help you stay ahead of the curve before issues become emergencies.
Final Thoughts
If your insurance company is asking for a roof certification, don’t stress—we do these every day.
A clean, well-documented inspection can help you maintain coverage, avoid costly surprises, and give you peace of mind. And if we do find issues, we’ll walk you through the next steps clearly and professionally.
Ready to schedule your roof certification?
Contact SW Inspections and we’ll take care of the rest.