In December 2022, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 2-D during a special session focused on the property insurance crisis. This landmark legislation fundamentally changed the relationship between roofing contractors, insurance companies, and homeowners. Understanding these reforms is essential for every Florida homeowner, because they affect how you file claims, choose contractors, and protect your rights.
Why SB 2-D Was Necessary
Florida's property insurance market was in crisis. Between 2019 and 2022, more than a dozen insurance companies went insolvent or withdrew from the state. Premiums tripled for many homeowners. The root causes were a combination of hurricane losses, fraudulent claims, and — most significantly — litigation costs that made Florida the most expensive state in the nation for insurance companies to operate.
The roofing industry was at the center of the litigation problem. Contractors would solicit homeowners door-to-door after storms, encourage them to file insurance claims for damage that was often cosmetic or pre-existing, obtain an Assignment of Benefits from the homeowner, inflate the scope of work, and then sue the insurance company when they disputed the inflated amount. Florida's one-way attorney fee statute meant that the contractor's attorney fees were paid by the insurer if the contractor prevailed — even by a single dollar. This created a litigation machine that added billions in costs to the insurance system.
The Major Changes in SB 2-D
SB 2-D addressed the insurance crisis through several interconnected reforms that directly impact roofing. The elimination of one-way attorney fees was the most impactful change. Previously, if a policyholder or their contractor sued an insurer over a claim dispute and won any additional payment, the insurer had to pay the policyholder's attorney fees. This created a system where attorneys and contractors could file thousands of lawsuits with minimal risk. SB 2-D eliminated this one-way fee provision, meaning each side now bears their own attorney costs. This single change reduced the financial incentive for speculative litigation dramatically.
The contractor solicitation ban made it a third-degree felony for contractors to engage in unsolicited door-to-door solicitation encouraging homeowners to file insurance claims. Before SB 2-D, storm chasing was rampant — contractors would follow storms across the state, knocking on doors within hours. This practice often led to inflated or fraudulent claims. The felony classification — punishable by up to 5 years in prison — sent a clear message that this behavior would not be tolerated.
Changes to Claim Filing Deadlines
SB 2-D shortened the statute of limitations for property insurance claims from 5 years to 2 years from the date of loss. It also established an 18-month deadline for supplemental claims after an initial denial. These shorter windows were designed to reduce the practice of filing claims for damage that occurred years earlier, which was difficult for insurers to investigate and easy for bad actors to exploit.
For homeowners, the shorter deadlines mean you must act promptly when damage occurs. Get a professional inspection within days or weeks of a storm — not months or years later. File your claim as soon as damage is confirmed. And if your initial claim is denied, pursue supplements within the 18-month window.
Impact on Legitimate Roofing Claims
The reforms have had both positive and negative effects on legitimate roofing claims. On the positive side, insurance premiums have begun to stabilize as litigation costs decrease. More private carriers are entering or re-entering the Florida market, giving homeowners more options. The claims process has become more straightforward without the complexity of AOB transfers and contractor-driven litigation.
On the negative side, homeowners now bear their own attorney costs if they need to dispute a claim, which makes it more expensive to challenge an unfair denial. The shorter filing deadlines penalize homeowners who are slow to discover damage. And the solicitation ban, while well-intentioned, means homeowners must be more proactive about seeking professional inspections after storms rather than relying on contractors to come to them.
What This Means for Your Next Roof Claim
If your roof is damaged by a storm or other covered event, here is how SB 2-D affects your process. File your claim within days, not weeks or months. The 2-year statute of limitations starts on the date of loss, and early filing strengthens your claim. Get a professional inspection immediately from a licensed contractor you contact — not one who shows up at your door uninvited. Be wary of any contractor who solicits you door-to-door after a storm, as they are committing a felony. Work with your contractor on supplements rather than litigation if the initial estimate is insufficient. Supplements remain an effective and non-adversarial way to recover additional funds. Keep detailed records of all damage documentation, communications, and timeline — these protect you if any disputes arise.
The Fraud Reduction Impact
Since SB 2-D was enacted, roof-related insurance lawsuits in Florida have decreased by approximately 60 to 70 percent. This reduction in litigation is the primary driver behind stabilizing insurance premiums. Fewer fraudulent claims mean lower costs for insurers, which should translate to lower premiums for homeowners over time. The reforms have also reduced the storm chaser presence in Florida, as the financial incentives for their business model have been largely eliminated.
The Bottom Line
SB 2-D was a necessary reform that fundamentally changed the roofing insurance landscape in Florida. Homeowners must now be more proactive about timely inspections and claims filing, more careful about avoiding soliciting contractors, and more informed about their rights under the new rules. At Goliath Roofing, we operate fully within the SB 2-D framework — we never solicit door-to-door, we provide transparent documentation for legitimate claims, and we help homeowners navigate the post-reform process from inspection through supplement recovery.