What is an insurance inspection on a home?
Short answer. An insurance inspection is a review your insurer uses to confirm a home's details and risks, usually when writing or renewing a policy, or to assess damage after a claim. Most underwriting inspections are exterior only, often happen without an appointment, and focus on the roof, overall upkeep and liability hazards.
The main types
- Exterior survey: the most common. An inspector photographs the outside of the home, often without needing you there.
- Interior inspection: more common for higher value homes. Someone schedules a visit to look at systems and finishes.
- Rebuilding cost review: measurements and notes used to estimate the cost to rebuild, which sets your dwelling coverage.
- Aerial review: many insurers now check roofs with aerial images before deciding whether to send anyone.
- Claim inspection: a different process, done by an adjuster after you report damage.
When it happens
Usually within the first weeks or months of a new policy, at renewal, after a change to the home, or when the insurer reviews policies in an area. You might find a note on the door, or nothing at all.
What happens next
- No news usually means no action.
- A letter may require repairs by a deadline, such as fixing a roof section or adding a handrail.
- Coverage terms can change, for example an older roof moved to actual cash value.
- In some cases the insurer declines to renew, which Georgia requires to be done with advance written notice.
Your smart moves
Ask your agent for the inspection results and photos, and correct any errors, like the wrong square footage or roof age. If repairs are required, finish them before the deadline and send invoices and photos. Because the roof is the item most likely to trigger action, read roof age and insurance and keep proof of your roof's installation date. If damage turns up, see whether insurance covers roof replacement.