THIS IS what you should know about
4 point inspections for insurance
you are in the process of Renewing your home insurance, and the agent needs a 4-point inspection.
What do you do now?
A 4-point inspection is basically a “condition” report for the insurance company.
Their main agenda with this report is to know of any imminent safety hazards or insurance claims that they may cover for you and your property.
When considering older properties in Florida, a 4-point inspection is usually required by insurance companies for homes over 40 years old and rental properties over 30 years old. Although possible to get a quote without inspection, a thorough assessment is typically needed before finalizing the policy.
What is a 4 point inspection in Florida?
A 4 point inspection looks at the 4 major systems (Roof, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC) in an older home. An insurance company wants to know that an older home has been well maintained, and the major systems are in good working condition. This is not a safety inspection. They are done by a licensed inspector or building contractor.
Here is what a 4 point inspection looks at:
Roof - Type of Roof Covering (shingles, tile, rolled). The age and condition of the roof. Are there missing shingles or leaks?
Electrical System - The type of the wiring in the home (copper, aluminium, knob and tube). The brand of the electrical panel. The condition of the homes electrical system
Heating and Cooling - Is there central heat and air in the home? The age and condition of the system. Are there signs of leaking?
Plumbing System - Type of supply and drain lines found in the home (copper, CPVC, galvanized, lead, polybutelene, etc. Is there evidence of current leaks? The age of the hot water heater.
Some insurance companies like Citizens Insurance, require the inspector to use their form. Other insurance companies allow the inspector to use their preferred format. In addition to the written report, the inspector will take photos of each of the major systems to provide to the insurance company.
4 point vs full inspection
You can provide your insurance company the full home inspection in lieu of a 4 point inspection. However, we strongly recommend that you don't do this. For the insurance agencies to provide a more accurate quote, is better to work with a 4 point inspection report only, rather than the entire full home inspection. Often, a home inspection will also list other minor and/or cosmetic damages. We don't recommend sending all the minor issues to your prospective insurance company (unless you have been asked to do this).
How much does it cost?
At Florida Inspection Expert, we charge $150 per inspection per property. If you book a Full Home Inspection, the 4-point inspection as well as the Wind Mitigation inspection is included, at not additional cost.
If you have any questions specific to your property, don’t hesitate to call our inspector. His expert knowledge can help you navigate any conecern you may have about the property you are having insured.