4 Point Home Inspection
Sometimes with all the costs involved with buying a new home, cash is tight.
You know that you should get a home inspection.
Can't afford a full inspection at the present time.
The answer? A 4 point home inspection.
Home inspections usually involve the inspection of 10 different systems. Roof, Exterior, Structure, Interior, Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical, Plumbing, Ventilation / Insulation and Appliances. All ten systems are inspected and reported on.
With a 4 point inspection, 4 of the major systems are inspected, Roof, Foundation, Electrical and Plumbing, since these are the systems that are usually of most concern and are the most expensive to repair. In this manner, the majority of the structure's major systems are inspected and reported on and the inspection costs a little less than a full inspection. Why pay for something that is not necessary, only to receive a report that tells you that everything is OK?
If you are buying an older house, some insurance companies require a 4 point inspection before they will issue you an insurance policy.
A 4 point inspection is an inexpensive alternative to a full home inspection and a good compromise to not having any home inspection at all. A 4 point inspection is also of benefit to the seller to have prepared in advance of showing his property to prospective buyers to assure them of the home's basic quality.
Can't afford a full home inspection at present? Try a 4 point inspection?
What is a 4 point inspection?
The 4 point insurance inspection was created after Hurricane Andrew struck Florida in 1992. It is performed on behalf of the insurance companies and, typically, as a requirement for the insurer offering insurance to the new homeowner. After the past year's barrage of hurricanes in Florida, the 4 point insurance inspection has taken on added importance. As insurance companies are beginning to see the benefit of the inspection, the program is spreading to other areas of the country. The benefit to the insurance company is, obviously, reduced loss risk on homeowner's insurance policies. This is an area of business that has, for many years, been a money loser for insurance companies.
In 2002, the Florida Legislature passed a law that combined the Florida Residential Property and Casualty Joint Underwriting Association (FRPCJUA) and the Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association (FWUA). This resulted in the creation of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens), which more efficiently and effectively provides insurance to, and serves the needs of, homeowners in high-risk areas and others who cannot find coverage in the open, private insurance market.
It is funded by premiums paid by the insured and from other insurance companies paying into the program to reduce their overall losses.
Citizens operates under the direction of a seven-member Board of Governors, appointed by the State Treasurer for three-year terms, representing geographically diverse regions of the state.
The State Treasurer also appoints a technical advisory board to provide information and advice to the Board of Governors.
The Four Point Insurance Inspection consists of the following four main systems:
· Roof
Inspection
· Electrical Inspection
· HVAC (Heat, Ventilation & A/C)
· Plumbing Inspection
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.
In summary, the Four Point Insurance Inspection program is gaining in popularity and will likely continue to expand as the insurance companies recognize the value of the inspection and the savings benefits it provides to the insurance carrier.
While the four point insurance inspections were started by Citizens, they have quickly spread to most, if not all of the insurance companies that provide coverage in Florida.
We use the NACHI approved 4 Point Insurance Inspection form (PDF) that was developed in cooperation with Citizens. You will need Adobe Reader to view this document. If you do not have adobe Reader you can download it here.
4 point insurance inspections are quickly becoming required for new insurance and insurance renewals throughout Florida and can often save hundreds on your insurance bill. If you need a 4 point insurance inspection in North West Florida we will gladly assist you in this area.
