When purchasing a home, a 4-Point inspection is usually needed in order to get a new homeowners insurance policy.  Also, if you are shopping for a new policy, insurance companies usually ask for a 4-Point Report. This is usually if your home is 20 years old or more, but some insurance companies want it on newer homes.

What is a 4-Point Inspection?

A 4-Point Inspection is a brief summary of the 4 main systems: electrical, air conditioning, roof, and plumbing. Insurance companies are trying to minimize their risk by making sure your systems are in working order and not too old and about to fail.

Insurance companies are especially concerned with the age of roofs.  Some insurance companies don’t want to give you coverage if your roof is more than 10 years old; some will allow 15 years, and some will go longer.  It depends on what type of roof you have. They are also looking to see how many years of life an inspector is predicting for the roof. Insurance companies usually want to see that the roof has 4 or 5 years of life before they will bind insurance, although Citizens are content with three years.

Do You Have a Failed 4-Point Inspection?

If you failed your 4-Point Inspection, you would have to fix those items in order to get your insurance coverage bound.  This could be something as simple as a doubled-tapped electrical connection in your electrical panel or a leaking valve.  Take a look at your Four Point Inspection Report and see what was marked as “unsatisfactory.”  You may need to replace an unreliable electrical panel. It could also be something major like an old roof.  Even if your roof looks okay and is not leaking, the insurance company may not want to take the risk.  In this case, you need to shop around or be able to provide a Four Point Report or Roof Certification stating that the roof has 3, 4, or 5 years remaining life.

Does a 4-Point Report Give Me Insurance Discounts?

Strictly speaking, it does not; however, an older roof or old plumbing may limit your choice of insurance carriers.  Some carriers will charge a higher premium if they consider you a higher risk.

Need your report in a hurry?  We will have the report back to you on the same day.