During a home inspection, an insurance company checks the roof, HVAC system, fire alarm, chimney, gutter, plumbing system, security features, among other things. Usually, insurance companies inspect the home at least 30 to 60 days before the new insurance issuance.
If you’re a new customer or have a house that hasn’t been inspected recently, insurance companies will most likely inspect your house. But why do they want to inspect your home in the first place?
By inspecting your home, an insurance company determines the premium of your policy. Besides, depending on the house condition, insurance companies might suggest necessary repairs.
How to Prepare for the Home Insurance Inspection?
Preparation for Exterior Inspection
If you’re first time applying for home insurance, insurance companies will likely inspect the exterior of your house. This includes inspecting the garage, swimming pool, gazebos, fences, courtyard, etc. The primary purpose of the exterior inspection is to determine the replacement cost of the external components.
During the inspection, you won’t have to be present in the house. Usually, for the exterior home inspection, insurance companies hire a third-party and take photographs of the exterior of your house.
To prepare your house for exterior inspection, you’ll first have to remove the debris from your roof. Then you’ll have to ensure the gutters are free from debris and securely attached to your home. Besides, if any of your windows or doors are broken, you need to fix them.
When you have water leakage and cracks in the house, it’s considered a liability. That’s why if your home has these problems, you’ll have to fix them before the inspection.
If your home has major faults or cracks in the foundation, insurance companies may declare it as uninsurable.
Preparation for Interior Inspection
Usually, the interior home inspection is done for older houses. During this inspection, an insurance company will inspect the HVAC unit, air ducts, plumbing, electrical lines, etc.
Unlike the exterior home inspection, you’ll have to be present in your house, and this inspection can take up to an hour to 90 minutes to complete.
To prepare your house for indoor inspection, you’ll first have to ensure that the HVAC unit is in good condition and there’s no mold in the ducts. Besides, you’ll have to keep the air ducts free from dust and other particles. Remember, mold and dust not only contaminate indoor air but also affect the performance of the HVAC unit. And for all of these, you need to schedule an appointment for HVAC maintenance.
Also, you’ll have to ensure that the CO indicator is working and has fresh batteries. Again, if you have a fireplace in your house, you’ll have to keep it in optimum condition. Because if your fireplace has backdraft, it can raise red flags.
Apart from all of these, you’ll have to check the electrical lines, ventilation of your house, bathroom and kitchen areas. If you have rodents and vermin in your house, before interior inspection, you’ll have to call a pest control company.
