Underwriter Roof Opinions...

Looking for some advice here, we are (new) homeowners and trying to solve a financial conundrum. Basically we were renting with a renters policy from State Farm (also covers a vehicle and motorcycle) and transitioned in to a rent to own situation on the same property. I called and requested a quote for homeowners insurance that mirrored the previous owners coverage. The underwriter came out and deemed the property uninsurable due to the condition of the roof. Asking follow-up questions about this process to my agent was fruitless, he could not provide any details about what specifically the underwriter found/didn't find. For the previous owners coverage they had two different roofers opinions that the roof has 5-7 more years of life, and they had no problems obtaining coverage, also through State Farm. My State Farm agent stated that the only possible way to move forward with coverage is to replace the roof.

We are located in Western Colorado and pretty severely limited in available local insurance agents. My question really is rooted in prudent next steps:

• Is there a way to contest a single underwriters opinion?
• When shopping for coverage from other companies, will they use their own underwriters or is there some universal underwriter database?
• We can't afford to replace the roof right now, how long can we survive without homeowners insurance? (I know this is probably a personal risk decision)

Any advice would be much appreciated, I'm a wildland firefighter and if it stays dry maybe I'll make enough in overtime pay to afford a new roof, but if not we're going to be stuck for a little while...