Home Home insurance Home Insurance Basics Home insurance inspection: How to prepare a checklist Home insurance inspection: How to prepare a checklist A home insurance company may want to inspect your home before issuing a policy to check for any risks and ensure the replacement cost is accurate. A checklist can help you prepare for an inspection. View Carriers Please enter valid zip Compare top carriers in your area Written by Daniel Bortz | Reviewed by Nupur Gambhir Nupur Gambhir Nupur Gambhir is an insurance expert and managing editor of Insure.com. She specializes in life and health insurance content, and has experience as a marketing consultant. | Updated on: July 25, 2024 Why you can trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry. Some homeowners insurance providers perform a home insurance inspection before issuing a policy or renewing an existing policy. Having a home insurance inspection checklist can help this process go more smoothly and can help you get the best results when you file a claim. A home insurance inspection is when your insurance provider sends a professional inspector to your home to assess the company’s risk of insuring the property. It could be something as simple as a drive-by inspection, where an inspector looks at your home’s exterior, or it could entail an interior inspection of your whole home and your roof. If the insurance company inspector needs to come onto your property, you’ll be notified ahead of time, which is when a checklist comes in handy. Not all insurance providers conduct home insurance inspections — it is much more common with older homes. Key Takeaways Home insurance companies sometimes inspect a home to ensure replacement cost is accurate and the home is in good condition. You’ll be notified if an inspector needs to come onto your property or into your home for an inspection. Use a home inspection checklist to make sure everything looks good ahead of the inspection. Why do insurance companies inspect your house? Typically, insurers perform a home insurance inspection for two main reasons: To evaluate how much it would cost for your home to be rebuilt To assess any existing risks that need to be addressed before offering you a homeowners insurance policy Essentially, a home insurance inspection helps insurance companies mitigate their liability exposure. In turn, inspections can have several outcomes: you may be required to repair property issues before an insurance policy can be issued, you may be assessed a higher insurance premium, or you may be denied coverage altogether. What does a home insurance inspector look for? Home insurance inspectors have a checklist they go through when evaluating homes. That checklist typically includes the following items: Exterior inspection checklist: Roof Chimney Doors Windows Siding/paneling Exterior walls Garages Exterior structures, such as a shed or detached garage Yard Fencing Driveway Pool Gutters Porches/decks Hazards, such as overhanging trees Interior inspection checklist: Walls and ceilings Fireplaces Attic Crawlspace Flooring Basement Doors Windows Kitchen appliances Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors Plumbing Electrical system HVAC Drainage system Security system How to prepare for a home insurance inspection A home insurance inspector must obtain your permission before stepping onto your property or entering your home; they aren’t allowed to trespass. These steps will help you pass a home insurance inspection: Exterior: Check your roof. Repair any loose, damaged, or missing shingles. Clean off moss. Clear out gutters. Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris. Also, make sure gutters and downspouts are securely attached to your home. Prune trees. Trim branches so that nothing is touching your house or hanging over your home. Fix cracks or loose bricks in a chimney. These can be a fire hazard. Seal cracks and leaks around windows and doors. This can also improve your home’s insulation and lower your energy bill. Interior: Test the HVAC system. Change air filters to improve performance, if needed. Look for signs of water leaks. Check under sinks and around toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers. Also, keep an eye out for wall discoloration or bubbling paint. Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Replace batteries if necessary. Check the basement. Keep an eye out for pests, mold, and cracks in the foundation. Survey the attic. Check for water damage and rodents. Examine walls and ceilings. Look for cracks, stains, or other damage. 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Yes. Not all insurance providers require a home inspection before issuing or renewing an insurance policy. How often does a house need to be checked by my insurer? Although it can vary by provider, most insurance companies perform home inspections once every 10 to 12 years. Insurance companies may also perform an inspection when you file a claim, but that’s technically an appraisal, where a representative comes to your home to assess the damage and determine if your property is eligible for coverage under your policy. What should I do if my homeowners insurance policy is canceled after an inspection? If your home fails an inspection, you can do one of three things. You can either request permission to make necessary repairs to maintain or renew your insurance policy; dispute the report’s findings (and provide supporting evidence), or find a new insurance provider. In case you missed it What is condo (HO-6) insurance and how much does it cost? 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