Sarah’s Journey with Florida’s Matching Rule

By Mr. Roofr

Meet Sarah, a proud Florida homeowner who loves relaxing on her porch, gazing at her home’s sleek vinyl siding and classic tile roof. One day, a wild storm swept through her neighborhood, tossing branches and debris everywhere. When the skies cleared, Sarah’s heart sank—her siding was cracked in spots, and several roof tiles were gone. Her once-flawless home now looked patchy, and she quickly filed an insurance claim, hoping to restore its charm.

This is where Florida’s matching rule, outlined in Florida Statute 626.9744, comes to the rescue for homeowners like Sarah. The rule ensures that when siding or roofing is damaged, insurance companies must use replacement materials that match the undamaged areas in quality, color, and size. The aim is to keep a home looking seamless and beautiful, preventing a mismatched appearance that could hurt its value or curb appeal.

When Sarah’s insurance adjuster arrived, they offered to replace only the damaged siding panels and roof tiles. But there was a catch: they didn’t mention that Sarah was entitled to matching materials under Florida’s law. Instead, they proposed using slightly off-color siding and tiles with a different texture, claiming it was “close enough.” Sarah felt uneasy—her home would look like a patchwork project, far from the unified look she cherished.

Determined to understand her rights, Sarah had Mr. Roofr out to provide an inspection for another opinion and they brought up Florida's Matching rule once they saw the scope of work she was wanting completed. It meant her insurer was obligated to find materials that blended perfectly with her existing siding and roof. If matching materials weren’t available—say, because her specific tiles were discontinued—the insurer might need to replace entire sections, like all the siding on a wall or her whole roof, to keep everything consistent.

This rule exists because a home is more than just walls and a roof; it’s a place for memories and pride. Years ago, insurers could get away with covering only directly damaged areas, leaving homeowners with clashing repairs. Sarah’s insurer initially kept quiet about her matching rights, likely hoping to minimize costs. Once Jon from Mr. Roofr pointed out the rule, Sarah was able to speak to her insurer again and after providing the proper documentation that Jon helped Sarah put together they admitted her discontinued tiles meant replacing the entire roof to maintain that polished look.

Navigating this wasn’t always easy. Sarah’s insurer cited policy clauses that limited matching coverage to a small percentage of her home’s value, which could have left her footing a big bill, and most homeowners just accept that thinking their carrier has their best interest in mind, and sadly more often than not inadeqauate repairs are done every day. But her replacement cost value (RCV) policy, unlike actual cash value (ACV) policies that only cover depreciated materials, supported full, matching replacements and Mr. Roofr made sure Sarah would be successful. By reviewing her policy and consulting with Mr. Roofrs professional team, Sarah was ensured that her claim honored the matching rule and every other florida statute that applies to her roof replacement/repair.

Sarah’s experience is all too common in storm-prone Florida, where siding and roofing repairs can transform a home’s appearance for better or worse. The matching rule protects homeowners, ensuring their homes stay stunning and valuable. If you’re dealing with a similar claim, don’t assume your insurer will volunteer all your rights— call Mr. Roofr for a free inspection, check your policy, ask questions, and consider professional help to make the process smoother and make

Disclaimer: Consult a licensed professional, public adjuster, or attorney for advice tailored to your insurance claim.

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