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What's an insurance home inspection?
Although it may sound intimidating, it's common for insurance carriers to request home inspections while insuring your home. It provides the most accurate assessment of the home’s replacement cost and risks that could cause future insurance claims and helps calculate your insurance premium. Not everyone is asked to participate in an insurance inspection. Your home may or may not be inspected depending on its age, value, and location. Insurance inspections are more common for older homes, higher-value homes, and homes in areas that are more prone to natural disasters.
Typically, your home insurance company will contact you to schedule an appointment and get your permission to enter and inspect your property. However, if the inspection is only for the outside of the home, you do not need to be present. You still will receive a letter in the mail letting you know an inspector will be coming to your property to take photos. If there are concerns or if additional information is needed, your insurance carrier will get in touch with you.
Home insurance inspection Checklist
While every insurance inspection is different and every insurance company is different, there are some common items on a home insurance inspector’s interior and exterior checklist.
Interior Inspection Checklist:
- Attics, basements, and crawl spaces
- Home security systems
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Walls and flooring
- Plumbing
- Drainage and sump pump systems
- Electrical systems – age and condition
- Fireplaces
- Home appliances
- Dogs - breed
- Signs of pests and damage from pests
Exterior Inspection Checklist:
- Exterior hazards – i.e. overhanging or dead trees that could lead to damage
- Exterior property – i.e. light fixtures, separate structures such as sheds and decks that could be damaged or need maintenance
- The roof – age and condition
- Drainage systems such as gutters, downspouts, and foundation
- HVAC system – age and condition
- Chimneys
- Recreational items such as trampolines and swimming pools
- Signs of pests and damage from pests such as termites
The benefits of an insurance home inspection
We all know it's not the best idea to waive a home inspection when buying a new home because it allows you to assess the condition of the home and potential repair costs and risks. It also provides you with an opportunity to ask or require the seller to repair or replace those prior to buying the home. An insurance home inspection serves a similar purpose for your insurance company. Your insurance carrier will likewise inform you if any issues are detected and request that you address them to qualify for coverage or renew coverage.
You will have a certain amount of time to make improvements to your property or make updates to your insurance policy. Often, these improvements will also improve the health, safety, and well-being of you and your loved ones. They can also save you money in the long run by preventing costly damage and claims. Your inspection may also reveal safety features, such as a home security system, that could potentially help you earn a discount on your home insurance.
Learn more about homeowners insurance in Virginia >
THE NORTHERN NECK INSURANCE INTEGRITY PROMISE — We pledge to provide straight talk and good counsel from our NNINS Virginia insurance experts through our blog. While we hope you find this to be a helpful source of information, it does not replace the guidance of a licensed insurance professional, nor does it modify the terms of your Northern Neck Insurance policy in any way. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy.
