Four Point Inspections and Wind Mitigations for Florida Home Insurance
A Four-Point Inspection and Wind Mitigation Report are two inspections that are becoming necessary for most homeowners to obtain homeowners insurance coverage. Generally, insurance companies require a Four-Point if the property is over 30 years old; however, with tighter guidelines in the ever changing Florida insurance market, many companies are requiring this regardless of age- same with wind mitigation reports.
When examined by a licensed professional, a four-point home inspection allows the insurance company to see the status of a property and determine the associated risks before providing or denying coverage.
The four major components that are examined during a four-point inspection are:
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) - Does the home have central air conditioning and central heating? If so, what is the condition of these units and are there any obvious signs of leakage?
Plumbing- What material is the plumping made up of? Are there any leaks present? What is the age and condition of the water heater?
Electrical- Does all the wiring throughout the home meet code regulations (for example, are all electrical outlets grounded properly?) What type of wiring does the home have? Is the material fire prone?
Roof- Is there apparent damage on the roof material? Inspectors will be assessing the life expectancy of the roof, age, materials used, and attachment style.
Why do insurance companies require this inspection?
As homes get older, the likelihood of potential issues increases significantly, and providers want to ensure the real estate they’re liable for won’t cost them a fortune to cover.
If you are looking for a new home or one that is 30 years old or older, shopping for another homeowners insurance policy, or renewing current coverage, a four-point inspection will most likely be required. This crucial inspection plays an important role in obtaining homeowners insurance coverage. Additionally, when a homeowner makes updates or repairs to a home and notifies their agent or insurance company, this form serves as additional verification of these updates and repairs.
What is a wind mitigation report?
A wind mitigation report informs the insurance company of a home's construction in order to determine its stability in the event of strong winds.
These features can be anything from door/window coverings to the way your roof is attached to your home to how your roof is sealed to prevent water from entering. Though a wind mitigation inspection is not required to get Florida home insurance it can result in substantial savings and we highly recommend all clients obtaining this report.
We are happy to provide you with a recommendation or reference to some local inspectors that perform four-point inspections and wind mitigation inspections.
For additional information, feel free to contact us at any time.