Home insurance inspection: What to expect

To obtain or keep a homeowners insurance policy, your home may need to have a home insurance inspection. Insurance companies use inspections to identify any liability issues with your property and determine the amount of risk associated with its condition or features.

If you take some time to prepare, you might be able to identify some of these issues and fix them before the inspection happens. This can result in a better report, but also help you avoid any unpleasant surprises. Here are some things you can do to prepare for a home insurance inspection:

Examine exterior features

There are several outside portions of your home you can check before an inspection. Some possible issues include:

• Loose or missing roof shingles.
• Cracks in the chimney.
• Unsecured or clogged gutters.
• Hanging tree limbs over the roof or other home structures.
• Uneven driveway or walkway pavement.

Inspect your home’s interior

Examine the interior of your home to find and resolve any problems before they’re discovered during the inspection. Some things to make a note of include:

• Dead batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
• Pest or water damage in the attic, basement or crawl space.
• Leaky plumbing fixtures.
• Loose electrical outlets.

What happens if you fail a home insurance inspection?

Even with preparation, the results of your inspection may not be ideal. If the insurance company finds major issues with your home interior or exterior, they might give you a deadline to resolve them to keep your coverage. If your home is too risky, you may be denied coverage entirely.

Regardless of inspection reports, the more you know about the condition of your home, the better. Remember to check for these issues periodically to ensure your home remains in the best possible condition, regardless of your insurance coverage.