4-Point Insurance Inspections

A 4-Point Insurance Inspection will help you get insurance on your home by providing verification of the good working condition of the 4 major systems of your home. Insurance companies are looking for information on the overall condition of the four major systems of the house (Roofing, Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning). We will generate a report on the four major components used by the insurance companies to determine the insurability of the home. Our report format is the most widely accepted format in the insurance industry.

Roofing – The inspector will determine the roof’s age based on the documentation or an estimated age based on the condition of the roof and flashings at the time of inspection.
Electrical – We inspect the electrical panels, wiring, and the general condition of the electrical system at the time of the inspection.
Plumbing – The inspection scope for the plumbing incorporates documenting the types of materials used for the plumbing system visible at the time of inspection and their condition. The age of the water heater is also determined from the data label, and we note the current condition of the heater.
HVAC/Heating – The age of the system is determined by the HVAC label or any documentation the homeowner may have. The inspector will note the current condition and projected life expectancy of the system.

What does the report look like?

We use a reporting format that is the most widely accepted format by the insurance industry, with images supporting the visible findings during the inspection and we submit it to the client within 24 hours.

How much does a 4-Point Insurance Inspection cost?

The cost is based on the square footage of the house.

Under 2000 sqft

$300

2001-3000 sqft

$350

3001+ sqft

Call for Pricing

*IF INCLUDED WITH A FULL ASHI HOME INSPECTION
Add-on a 4-Point Insurance Inspection to a full Home Inspection and save.

$125

Why do I need a 4-Point Insurance Inspection?

4-Point Insurance Inspections are common in other parts of the country, but relatively new to California. Insurance companies have become increasingly reluctant to issue Homeowner Insurance Policies on older homes (usually 25 years old or more). Their common concern is that there may be conditions in an older home that could become a liability to them. For instance, a home with a roof nearing the end of its reliable service life may fail while under the policy and the homeowner may seek reimbursement from their insurance company for damages to the home or its contents. Similar concerns extend to the condition of the HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems in an older home. If these elements are in poor condition, in need of being updated or replaced or were improperly installed, they may fail and cause fire or water damage to a home.

The insurance companies are looking for the four systems to be in generally good working condition and fulfilling their intended function. If the home is an older home the insurance companies want to see that the systems have been updated.

It can be for a new homeowners policy or for renewal of an existing policy. The benefit to the insurance company is reduced loss risk on homeowner’s insurance policies.

I already have a full home inspection, why do I need a 4-Point Insurance Inspection?

A full home inspection covers a lot of the same ground as a 4-Point, so you may be wondering why you need both. Home inspections are more comprehensive and often extensive reports. There is a benefit to the focused nature of the 4-Point Insurance Inspection. The 4-Point is designed to inform insurance providers about the condition of your home so they can assess how much of a liability it will be. They are looking for specific things that result in claims. A more focused inspection will highlight the areas that the insurance providers most care about.
The bottom line is that both the 4-Point Insurance Inspection and the full home inspection have their place. It’s always recommended to get a full home inspection for your information, in addition to the 4-Point report to send to your insurance provider. There is some overlap between the two, but they serve very different purposes: the 4-Point Insurance Inspection providing valuable information about insurability and the full home inspection providing the homebuyer with information they can use to make a purchasing decision.

Do I need to be home for the Inspection?

No worries, you don’t need to be there for the inspection. We’ll just need access the house. The report is photo documented and detailed.

How long does this Inspection take?

A 4-Point Insurance Inspection usually takes about 30 – 45 minutes on an average size home.

What do I need to do before the Inspection?

We need access to the electrical panels (which are sometimes in closets). The attic access and subfloor access should be free and clear of personal belongings. Waste piping under sinks should be fully visible, with no stored items blocking the view.

Please have any information pertaining to upgrades or updates made to the roof, electrical, plumbing or HVAC system. This will help us prove you’ve updated these systems properly and put your home in a positive light!