When you purchase or renew a homeowners insurance policy, your insurance company may request a home inspection. While this can feel a little daunting, it’s actually a routine step in making sure your insurance coverage matches the true condition of your home.
These insurance inspections help protect you by identifying risks and ensuring you have the right safeguards in place.
At Darr Schackow Insurance, we’re here to make the process simple—explaining what to expect and how to prepare, so you can feel confident from start to finish.
Why Inspections Happen
Insurance companies request inspections to make sure your home is safe, well-maintained, and eligible for coverage. These reviews also help confirm the accuracy of your policy—ensuring the home’s replacement cost is up to date and that your insurance coverage truly reflects your property’s condition.
While inspections have traditionally been required for new policies, more carriers are now asking for them at renewal. Once the inspection is complete, your carrier reviews the results and your insurance agent can explain any updates or recommendations.
For certain situations—such as an older home, or when specific safety concerns are present—your insurer may ask for a more detailed review, such as a 4-point inspection that looks closely at the roof, plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC system.
Types of Inspections
Most insurance companies request inspections that focus on the areas of your home most tied to risk. The two most common are full home inspections and 4-point inspections.
A full inspection gives the inspector a chance to look at the property as a whole. These are often required when starting a new homeowners insurance policy or when significant changes have been made to the property.
A 4-point inspection is usually required for an older home. As the name suggests, this review is limited to four major systems—roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. This helps the carrier confirm that your home is safe and insurable, even if it’s not brand new.
In recent years, some carriers have shifted to offering self-inspections at renewal, which allow you to take photos or videos yourself and submit them digitally. This option makes it easier to prepare for a home insurance inspection without needing to schedule a visit.
What Inspectors Look For
When a home insurance inspector visits, the goal is to confirm your home is in good condition and does not pose unnecessary risks. The specific areas they focus on can vary, but most inspections include:
Roof condition – Inspectors look for missing shingles, leaks, or signs of age that could impact your coverage.
Major systems – Your plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC system are reviewed to make sure they’re safe and up to date. In an older home, these areas are especially important.
Safety features – Items such as smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and security systems may be noted as added safeguards.
Entry points – Inspectors often check the condition of doors and windows, since these are crucial for both security and storm protection.
Once the inspection is complete, your carrier uses the findings to confirm your home’s replacement cost and ensure your insurance coverage reflects your property accurately.
What This Means for You
For homeowners, an inspection isn’t meant to be a hurdle, but an important step in protecting your property. Once the inspection is complete, your insurance company reviews the results to make sure your insurance coverage is accurate and your home is properly insured for its replacement cost.
In many cases, inspections work in your favor. They may uncover maintenance issues before they become costly repairs, or highlight safety features—like security systems, updated doors and windows, or living in a gated community—that demonstrate your home is well cared for.
And you’re not on your own. Your insurance agent at Darr Schackow Insurance can explain the findings, walk you through any recommendations, and help ensure your policy continues to meet your needs.
How to Prepare For Your Home Insurance Inspection
Getting ready for an inspection doesn’t have to be stressful. With a few simple steps, you can prepare for a home insurance inspection and show that your property is well maintained:
Tidy the exterior – Clear away yard debris, trim trees, and make sure inspectors can safely enter your property.
Check key systems – Ensure your plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC system are in good working order.
Handle small repairs – Replace broken shingles, fix damaged fencing, or seal gaps around doors and windows.
Review safety features – Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and security systems to confirm they’re working properly.
Taking these steps before the visit not only makes the inspection smoother, but also demonstrates pride of ownership—something every insurance company looks for.
We’re Here to Help
An inspection might feel like just another step in the insurance process, but it’s really about making sure your home is safe and properly protected. Whether it’s a full review or a 4-point inspection on an older home, the results help confirm your insurance coverage and give you peace of mind.
At Darr Schackow Insurance, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Your dedicated insurance agent can explain what the inspector found, answer your questions, and help you make any updates needed to keep your policy in good standing.
If your carrier requests a home inspection, don’t stress—just give us a call. We’ll make sure you know what to expect and how to move forward with confidence.