If your a Veteran try USAA

There is a standing seam metal roof on a home in Chatham Village. I know there was a problem because of that installation but I have no knowledge of how it was finally approved.

I would call the insurance company and ask them to determine if you have a valid claim for weather damage. They will send out an adjuster and either pay a claim or not. Then, you can get your roof replaced. But, I would not use the roofer you talked to because I think he gave you bad advice. The insurance company already knows how old your roof is, and they are not going to cancel your policy just for calling them. And, the roofer could have inspected the roof without walking on it by using a ladder, binoculars, and a camera. Also, you should get a reduction in your insurance rate when you get a new roof.

I'm curious!
I grew up in the US Virgin Islands.
It's a tropical climate similar to FL.
No one has shingles roofs.
Majority are wood roofs which are covered with a paint membrane roof coating. Unless destroyed by a hurricane, these roofs last forever.
The home I own there has a roof that survived both Cat 5 Hurricanes, Irma and Maria in September 2017.
That roof is 57 years old, in excellent condition, never had any leaks.
I pressure wash it every couple of years to keep it clean and reseal and recoat it every 5 - 6 years.
So what's the deal with the shingle roofs being so popular in this climate?

A membrane roof is fine, but it is ugly. They use shingles because of the appearance.

I totally agree with you. For someone to pay for home insurance and then NOT use it when they have a claim is ludicrous. Why even bother to pay for insurance?

FREE LUNCH THEOREM: There is no such thing as a free lunch. Folks that expect to get a brand new roof after 16 or 18 years on a 20 or 25 year roof are the same that eat 3/4 of their meal at a restaurant and then complain that the food was lousy and refse to pay for it .. They get away with it, but the restaurant (in this case insurance company) "eats" the cost. I'm sure the insurance company reserves a certain amount of money for un ordinary claims, but when they come in mass from a group of hucksters trolling a neighborhood, you can expect hefty increases or cancellations if they in fact agree to replace them. Both of the above are unethical, it;s just the size of the claim that's different.

If one knows nothing about roofs but you’re concerned because of age and possible damage so you contact a roofer to check it out. He believes you have storm damage so you contact your insurance company to have their inspector check it out, submit a report, then the insurance company’s ( in this case Progressive) Adjuster approves the claim for replacement why is this unethical? Seems a logical process to me and if the insurance provider agrees I’d be crazy not to use the insurance my premiums have paid for what seems forever.

I purchased a home in The Villages that was 18 yo and my insurance co. refused to insure it until I replaced the roof. So, my broker found me another company that insured me for a little over a year before they went bankrupt or something and had to drop me. I replaced my roof (at my expense) and my broker found me an insurance company that charges half of what I was paying before and half the deductible. That said, almost every home in my neighborhood has had their roofs replaced in the last year or so AND most of them did it by only paying their insurance deductible. I am happy for them, BUT I sure hope it does not mean that I have to help absorb some of the cost to the insurance companies with a raise in my premiums.

See Post 47. I can almost assure you (and we) will see an increase in our premiums.

When I switched to another carrier last March in order to save over $1,000 for a combined home and automobile coverages, the carrier sent the inspector over to my home, using the drone, took several photos of my roof to prove that none on my roof was damaged. At least I saved $1000 a year.

That's funny.
I don't think they're ugly at all!
Clean lines and you can get the top coat for the roof in many colors.
I would've had to replace my roof on my STT home 3X's by now if it was done with shingles.
What's that cost ya to do up here?
What type of maintenance issues are there with shingles?

I wasn't trying to be funny. The advantages of a membrane roof is that they are cheaper and they can be installed on a relatively flat roof. Typically, shingles need to have a slope of at least 3/12 or steeper. The roofs in the Virgin Islands are probably too flat to use shingles. But, I think shingles are used here because they have a more attractive appearance. They used to make a plain flat shingle, but most shingles today are called architectural shingles because they have a three dimensional appearance to them. They will last about 15 to 25 years with almost no maintenance. But, they have a longer life span in the North than in Florida.

Not correct. I have seen at least two medal roofs within The Villages. Both south of 466.

Actually there are metal and tile roofs on many homes near Spanish Springs — Village of Rio Grande, Del Mar, Ponderosa, etc. It depends on the Village area.

I also have US Coastal (through TV). They were called by the roofer who checked my roof. They agreed that my roof needed to be replaced. But, my policy had a clause that US Coastal could select the roofer. I checked the roofer they selected and they got a high rating from the BBB. So, I would call US Coastal directly.

problem with metal...vents,skylight, sealed with rubber.

door to door roofers
 

Thats a far cry from engaging with a high commissioned door to door roofing company knocking on your door and trying to scam an insurance company

Darn my roof is from '04. I better call the insurance company.

I did hear that some people got their insurance cancelled because the roof people suggested a FREE new roof due to "storm damage". That should come with common sense that nothing is for FREE! Our house is 17 years old and we got a new roof in 2018. (no insurance used).

Then why do all the Rec Centers and most of the mail stations have metal roofs? A woman at the end of our street in Chatham had a metal roof installed and, of course, a troll turned her in. ARC tabled the discussion because of new Florida laws that encourage replacing with metal roofs.

Thanks for your response.
Rooftops on VI are not all flat, most aren't as we depend on them for water collection for cisterns. Tile, metal, wood and paint membrane are what's used.
Not a shingled roof to be seen on any USVI home.
I imagine they'd peel off on high winds and hurricanes.
Many roofs do in that event.

You, like me, are just going to pay for everyone's claim. Just got my renewal notice for homeowner's insurance. Cost increase to $1559 from $1080. And I bought my own roof, on my dime, two years ago.

Do you think our neighbors are at least going to take us out for a nice dinner?

Roofing – Facts You Should Know – For Your Best and Safest Choice
1) Told “ROOFER” Did A Great Job! … beware; anybody saying “they just finished and did a great job” doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Most workmanship defects do not show up until at least a year – typically years 3-5.
2) Roofer Recommended – Use My Name… these people are likely getting a $200 kick back from the roofer if you do that.
3) Quick Facts About Roofs
a. BBB (Better Business Bureau) … roofing is one of the biggest complaint areas
b. Warranty… why are manufacturer warranties so long? Because they know 9 out of 10 roofs are void the day they’re installed; scary, 99% of roofers don’t even know that.
c. Roof Performance… what is most important is underneath the shingle – what you don’t see. So – most roofers cut corners there to make money – because you wouldn’t know.
d. Insurance Claims… get three bids? Frankly, that is often ridiculous. Insurance is hoping that you’ll get three bids – choose the cheapest – and they’re off easy. Reality is – if you allow the roofer to negotiate on your behalf – they get whatever price they can justify to insurance – even if the quote to you was significantly lower. Lesson – sign up the BEST ROOFER – not the cheapest!
e. Contractors… almost every contractor in The Villages is a marketing company. The crews doing the work are subcontractors. So – even if they show you certifications, insurance, etc., it is basically crap – because the liability (and quality) is based on the crew. Since these marketing contractors (industry calls them “storm chasers” – that follow the wind and hail – they are off to the next storm – and don’t stand behind their warranties anyway. Their salespeople are NICE - make you FEEL GREAT – and make well over hundred thousand with this sales approach.
4) Some Things I Look/Ask For – Roofs I’ve Helped With:
a. Quality Shingle… avoid IKO, TAMKO, ATLAS (they are not great at honoring their warranties); acceptable is Owens Corning (but it is thin – not as attractive – less dimension); Best are CertainTeed (heavy) and GAF (great technology).
b. Starter Strip… insist it is a “pro grade” – not a common 3 -tab flipped over. And – make sure it is at BOTH the eave and rake edges. The eave and rake get the most wind uplift; the pro grade starter strip provides superior wind resistance.
c. Underlayment. Use synthetics; do not use the common paper (i.e. 15 or 30 lbs. felt)
d. Leak Barrier… some call it “ice and water shield. Make sure it is at ALL vulnerable areas including the valley and around all penetrations. These are “self-healing membranes” and when the house does a slight shift (all homes do), the roof will stay watertight.
e. Metal Flashing… make sure they do not “re-use” the old stuff. You want it custom fit with new metal.
f. Ridge Shingle… do not allow cheap 3 – tab which is common – you want a Pro Grade ridge shingle. When you don’t, you diminish your roof to a 20-year warranty essentially.
g. Fastening… two issues: 1) if they don’t check the air pressure, nails can be too deep (causes tears) or not deep enough (creates holes). MORE importantly, are they keeping the nails INSIDE THE NAIL ZONE. If not, more vulnerable to wind blow off.
h. Wind Mitigation Certification… get it; it can lower your homeowner’s insurance by over a $100 per year.
i. Ridge Vent… make sure it is on “all ridges” that are over heated spaces and also make sure it extends to at most 18 inches from each edge. Lots of contractor’s cheat – save money by not extending the vent to the full length. The risk is not enough ventilation, which results in these common issues:
i. Voided Warranty… not enough “exhaust” at the ridge to meet code.
ii. Health Risks… by not creating air flow, warm/moist are is trapped in the attic. The recipe for mold is warm moist air in a dark environment with organic material.
iii. High Energy Costs… 2% moisture in attic ventilation reduces the effectiveness by 1/3
iv. Roof Durability… if the deck (under the shingles) gets too hot, the shingles “fry” out – in Florida, typically lasts about 13 – 18 years max.
j. Hip Roof?... they typically have only a small area of ridge. Therefore, highly recommend solar powered vents to assure “exhaust” ventilation.
Hope this helps. If you want to deal director with a qualified crew – I might be able to help. My deal with them: if they do a roof for a “friend” they give me a $5.00 Starbucks gift certificate. (They wanted to give me more – I will not take it! We compromised on Starbucks.)

Are these the rooves we have been hearing about that are free? I have been told that some rooves on houses built 15 years ago have to be replaced and are free

There is no such thing as "no soliciting in The Villages" . Public streets and the public (including salespeople) have access.

Why should we be held financially responsible for defective shingles ?
You don't pay any extra cost because millions of air bags were defective