How Often Do Insurance Companies Inspect Homes?

New Policy Inspections

When you first take out a new homeowners insurance policy, it's standard practice for the insurance provider to conduct an exterior inspection of the property. This initial inspection occurs after you've submitted your application but before the insurer issues the final policy documents.

The purpose of this inspection is to verify the details you provided about your home, such as the size, age, construction type, and condition. The inspector will take note of any obvious risks, such as a deteriorating roof, visible exterior damage, hazards like a dilapidated fence, or other issues that could increase the chances of a future claim.

Based on their findings, the insurance company may approve the policy as applied for, require certain repairs or modifications before granting coverage, or in some cases, deny coverage altogether if the home is deemed too high-risk. See: 10 Questions to Ask Your Home Insurance Agent

Periodic Inspections for Renewals

Most homeowners insurance policies are written for 12-month terms. As the renewal period approaches each year, your insurance provider will likely order another inspection of the exterior of your home. The frequency can vary, but exterior inspections typically occur every 1-5 years as long as you maintain continuous coverage with that insurer.

These periodic inspections allow the insurance company to reassess any changes to the property's condition since their last review. They'll make note of any new risks, such as a roof that now needs replacement, evidence of unrepaired damage, lack of maintenance, or other factors that could impact their decision to renew the policy and at what premium rate.

If the inspector flags any issues, the insurer may give you a window of time to make repairs or corrections before deciding on renewal. They may also opt not to renew the policy if the home's condition has deteriorated significantly and is now considered too high-risk based on their underwriting guidelines.

Interior Inspections

Full interior inspections by insurance company representatives are much less common than exterior inspections. However, they may occur under certain circumstances, such as:

• After a major insurance claim for interior damage (fire, flood, etc.)
• If the home is very old and the interior condition is in question
• If ownership of the home has changed hands
• If substantial renovations or additions were made since the last inspection

During an interior inspection, the insurer's representative will carefully evaluate the inside of the home, looking at electrical systems, plumbing, structural elements, and overall condition. This allows them to update their risk assessment based on the latest information about the property.

The Four-Point Inspection

In some cases, particularly for older homes, insurance companies may request what is known as a "four-point inspection" in order to renew or initiate a new policy. This is an inspection performed by a qualified third-party inspector that evaluates four main components of the home:

1. Roof condition and age
2. Electrical system condition and age
3. Plumbing system condition and age
4. HVAC system condition and age

Homes that are 25-30 years old or older frequently undergo four-point inspections, as aging systems increase the risks of future insurance claims. The inspection gives insurance underwriters an objective assessment to decide whether to offer coverage and at what premium amount.