Are you buying a new home? Wondering what type of inspection you need to do to get insurance? You might require a 4-point home inspection in Florida. Here is everything you need to know.
What Is a 4-Point Home Inspection In Florida?
Not every property is going to need a 4-point home inspection, but if you are purchasing an older home, condo, or rental property, then your insurance company may require that you have one of these inspections done. Each insurance company is likely to have different guidelines regarding this, so make sure to check with yours.
4-point inspections are performed so that insurance companies can get a better idea of the overall condition of your home. This helps them determine the liability that they will be taking on if they provide you with coverage. Most of the time, homes will require this type of inspection if they are over 40 years old. Rental properties will likely require them if they are older than 30 years. If your home is younger than this, you will likely not need a 4-point home inspection.
What Does a 4-Point Home Inspection Entail?
If you need to get a 4-point home inspection done, you’re probably wondering what exactly is going to happen. As the name implies, there will be four major elements of your home that are going to be inspected:
Plumbing System
One of the four things that the inspector will look at is your home’s plumbing system. If your plumbing system isn’t in good shape, you could end up with water in your home or other types of damage.
They will consider the type of supply and drain lines that are being used in your home. They’ll also look for any signs of damage or leaking, and they’ll take a look at the hot water heater as well to make sure it’s in good condition. Bear in mind that if your hot water heater is older than 18 years, that could impact the coverage you are offered.
Electrical System
A home’s electrical system is a crucial element. It needs to be in good shape, or your insurance company isn’t likely to offer you the best insurance rates. There are several things that your inspection company will look at regarding your electrical system.
The type of wiring will be considered. Some homes have copper or aluminum wiring, while others have knob and tube which can cause a lot of damage to your electronics and should be replaced as soon as possible. The brand of your electrical panel will also be looked into, as some brands are known to be more hazardous than others. They will also consider the overall condition of the electrical system.
Heating and Cooling
Another element that the inspection will consider if what condition your heating and cooling system is in. Systems that aren’t in good shape won’t just be ineffective. They could also damage parts of your home if there is any leaking.
The inspection will consider if there is central heating and cooling in the home, as well as how old the system is. Older systems will be checked more carefully for their condition to make sure they’re still functioning properly.
Roof
The condition of your home’s roof is another very important element to consider. Your roof protects your home’s interior from damage from the elements like rain and wind, so it needs to be in good shape.
The type of roof covering will be checked, as well as the general condition and age of the roof. They’ll also take a look to see if any shingles or tiles are missing and look for signs of leaking.
Is It Possible to Fail the 4-Point Home Inspection?
There are several ways you could fail your home inspection. Not having central heating or air, having aluminum or knob and tube wiring, having a roof that’s too old or in too poor condition, or having a hot water heater that’s too old could all result in failure.
Can I Still Get Insurance If I Fail the Inspection?
Whether or not you are able to get insurance with a failed 4-point home inspection will depend on the insurance company you are working with.
Some insurance companies will decline to offer you insurance for your home entirely if you fail your inspection. However, other companies will offer you insurance but exclude insuring any part of your home that failed the inspection.
If you are buying a new house, condo, or rental property, it’s important to know what kind of inspections you need to do to get homeowners insurance. If you need to get a 4-point home inspection, always look for the right people to do it.