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.
About the Author
Liliya Sherman
Liliya Sherman has been in the Real Estate business for a number of years. She's had great success and her clients are always satisfied. Liliya comes from a business background. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration. She is well organized and results-oriented. Having worked in the high tech industry, Liliya appreciates the importance of managing her and other people's time. She will listen to your needs and will do her best to match them with market opportunities. Liliya holds her clients' interests close to the heart. People who work with Liliya always feel as if they are her number one priority. Don't be left behind.
