Homeowners Insurance Inspection: What to Expect and How to Prepare

A home insurance inspection is when your insurance company sends an inspector to evaluate your property. Its purpose is to assess your home’s condition, verify details on your application and identify risks that could affect coverage or premiums. Inspectors typically review the interior and exterior, focusing on the roof, plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems. The results help your home insurance provider decide whether to approve or adjust your policy.

You can expect the inspector to walk through your home, take photos and make notes on anything that might impact your coverage or premiums. They may also ask about recent updates, request documentation for repairs and check that safety measures are in place. 

The process is usually brief and straightforward, with minimal disruption to your day. If you own a home in need of repair, it may be more involved and the inspector might pay closer attention to the roof, wiring or plumbing to ensure they’re up to current safety standards.

A 4-point inspection is a focused home insurance evaluation often required by providers, especially for older homes, that assesses four critical areas: HVAC systems, electrical wiring and panels, plumbing and the roof. It identifies major issues or potential risks that could affect the home's insurability and the insurance provider's risk.

Insurance companies don’t inspect homes on a set schedule, but they often require an inspection when you first apply for coverage, renew a policy on an older home or make major updates. After that, inspections are usually only requested if risks are suspected or significant changes occur. 

After application, your insurance company may require an inspection within the first 30 to 60 days.

Situations where a home insurance inspection may be required include:

• If you are a first-time buyer/customer
• If you own an older/outdated home
• If you have a high-value home
• If you live in a disaster-prone area
• If you had structural changes or major home renovations
• If you are renewing your policy
• If you are switching to a new insurance company
• If your home’s replacement cost is difficult to determine

If you failed a homeowners insurance inspection, your insurance provider may refuse to renew your policy or may increase your premiums or deductibles. This happens when an inspector identifies significant risks or hazards that make your home high-risk for coverage. Scenarios that could cause you to fail include:

• Outdated electrical system that poses a fire hazard
• Lacking basic safety measures like smoke detectors and fire exits
• Neglected plumbing system that could lead to burst pipes
• Poorly maintained roof that is susceptible to water damage

The insurance company might offer conditional renewal, requiring specific repairs or improvements within a set timeframe. If you don't meet these conditions by the deadline, the company can cancel your policy. The company could also void your policy from its start date if the inspection uncovers previously undisclosed risks. This leaves you without coverage and facing back charges for the period you were insured.

Address any known issues before the inspection and be transparent about your property's condition.

You can get home insurance without a home inspection, though this depends on the insurance company's policies and your home's circumstances. If your house was recently purchased and inspected during closing, or if the previous owner had it inspected within the last year, a new inspection might not be necessary.

New customers, those with older homes or homes needing repairs that are difficult to assess remotely may still require an inspection. Consult with your insurance broker or agent to determine if an inspection is necessary for your situation.

While homeowners insurance inspections aren't always required, insurance providers may ask you to undergo one to evaluate your home's insurability and risks. Preparing for inspections helps reduce risks and fix minor problems in advance, preventing premium increases or inspection failures that could lead to policy cancellations.

The inspector walks through your house, checking inside and out for problems that could lead to claims. What they find affects whether your insurer keeps your policy and how much you pay. Fix obvious issues beforehand so you don't get stuck with higher rates or cancelled coverage.

We answer frequently asked questions about home insurance inspections, clarifying their purpose.

Why Trust MoneyGeek?

MoneyGeek analyzed quotes from multiple insurance providers across the U.S. using a profile that reflects the average homeowner. By considering different locations and companies, we aim to give a reliable estimate of what homeowners can expect to pay — showing why it’s important to compare rates.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluated homeowners insurance carriers incorporating insights and premiums from the official databases of Quadrant Information Services. 

Homeowner Profile

For our analysis, we created a sample homeowner profile with the following characteristics:

• Good credit score (769–792)
• Home constructed in 2000
• Wood-frame construction
• Composite shingle roof

Homeowners Insurance Coverage Details

Unless otherwise specified, we used the following coverage limits to collect quotes for our comparison:

• $250,000 in dwelling coverage
• $125,000 in personal property coverage
• $200,000 in personal liability coverage
• $1,000 deductible

We also compiled data for policies with broader coverage to determine the best companies for insuring expensive homes, upping limits to $1 million in dwelling coverage, $500,000 in personal property coverage and $1 million in liability coverage.