topic Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy in Among Friends

Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

BunSnoop — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 16:07:24 GMT

We recently switched to Nationwide Insurance. Received a letter stating they'll be performing an inspection of the home (inside and out) to make sure the home is insured for correct value.

I've been a home owner for over 40 years and have had about 4 different companies over the years insure my homes. Once I had an inspection of the outside, but never the inside.

When I called for the policy, they asked questions about the interior and I explained what we have. I would consider my home to be an "average" home with nothing over-the-top expensive.

I kind of feel it's a little bit of an evasion of my privacy to have this person in my home "inspecting".

Just curious - have you also had inside inspections done of your home for a home insurance policy?

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

Kachina624 — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 16:14:25 GMT

@BunSnoop I had a mortgage company want to do an interior inspection for a home equity loan. I felt the same as you, an invasion of privacy. I declined to go forward with the process.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

lgfan — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 16:18:38 GMT

I purchased earthquake insurance about a year ago. A home inspection was not warranted. I would start looking for another insurance agency.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

Lucky Charm — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 16:39:49 GMT

Our current home was a complete rebuild as the original was torn down.

Insurance company came as soon as we got our Certificate of Occupation....Day One.

Policy had to be rewritten from the previous policy as they insured original also.

Ironically they never came to inspect our home next door that we purchased a few years later for rental purposes. Maybe because we haven't done any renovations?

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

PA Mom-mom — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 16:48:09 GMT

@BunSnoop Our insurance was tied to our mortgage, and we had several home inspections over the years. Initially, and then when we refinanced for better mortgage rates. We have been with the same bank the whole time. They always did inside and outside. It seems like an invasion of privacy, but they need to do it to protect themselves.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

cjm61 — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 16:55:40 GMT

Yes, @BunSnoop it is not uncommon. We had it performed inside once, but our insurance guy is a great friend so I had no problem. It is to your benefit as they may see things that to you may not be of significant value. However, to replace should the house burn, or whatever, could be pricey to replace.

If you had to replace your dishwasher or mattress, or any item, a repair/delivery person would need to come into your home to install. Think of it as more of protection, after all, that is what insurance is for.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

fthunt — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 17:02:33 GMT

Wouldn't bother me.......agree 100% with poster ahead of mine.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

granddi — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 17:10:12 GMT

When selling our home, the buyers home insurance required an inside and out inspection. I don't know what they were looking for but we complied.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

mimomof4 — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 17:20:42 GMT

I recently changed insurance companies this year. At the time of signing the policy I was informed that an inspection could take place of the inside and outside. When the inspector came it was the outside only. My assumption is that they will only come inside if something seems suspicious.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

CelticCrafter — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 18:09:10 GMT

It's your house, you have every right to say no they can't come inside but be prepared to receive a cancellation notice for non-compliance.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

santorini — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 18:13:23 GMT

I wouldn't like that. I've never had to do that. If they're worried the amounts don't match, it seems like it shouldn't matter. If you tell them your home is worth $400,000 and you pay that price, then your home burns down, $400,000 is your limit. Why would they care if the value was actually $600,000? You're not getting $600,000 from them. I'm probably oversimplifying this.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

mspatmac — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 18:35:26 GMT

Yes, when I refinanced they did an in and out inspection. Inside just consisted of a walk through, no big deal. Worked to my benefit when they increased the values.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

Carmie — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 18:53:44 GMT

I have State Farm insurance. The agent calls every year and asks about upgrades and replacements we made, but has never asked to inspect the inside.

They did take pictures of the outside of the house. We have seen them and asked what they were doing.

I don't think I would feel comfortable having somone inspect my house inside. I wonder what they're looking for.

If your house is old, maybe the plumbing and electrical for safety reasons would be checked. I wonder what the qualifications the inspector has.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

RespectLife — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 19:39:40 GMT

@mspatmac wrote:
Yes, when I refinanced they did an in and out inspection. Inside just consisted of a walk through, no big deal. Worked to my benefit when they increased the values.

If they increase the values, your policy cost usually goes up!

I made a change to my homeowners about 6-8 months ago. Same company...saved me $50 on the premium.

All of a sudden, they wanted to do an inside inspection.

I just said No.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

Estellee — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 20:16:38 GMT

My insurance company cancelled me last year for no reason. My home is 44 years old and I live in South Florida so for me to get insurance from another company they needed an inspection of the roof and also the electric panel and plumbing. Even with no mortgage they still have the upper hand, have to comply or no insurance

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

ciao_bella — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 20:48:33 GMT

About 5 years ago, I decided to change our auto insurance to a company that's considered one of the top insurance companies in NJ, which is New Jersey Manufacturers. Along with the auto, I also bundled the insurance with homeowners insurance. I was told a quick 'walk-around' the outside of the property would be done, which it was. I did receive a good package deal bundling the insurances, however, I received a letter indicating the tree that was growing on the driveway side had a few branches that were overhanging the garage roof. It was an observation by the inspector but did not require any action. I had the branches cut anyway, as the tree needed the canopy trimmed as well. The insurance from this company has saved me quite a bit of money over the years, as once a year the company shares their auto profit with its customers with a rebate check mailed to you. The rebate check is usually in the amount of $150-$175. I'll also add that this particular insurance company's policies are less expensive than other companies and you get better coverage. So, I'm quite satisfied with them.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

hckynutjohn — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 23:23:22 GMT

@BunSnoop

Yes, several. 1 Inspector I unpolitely showed him the door. He asked "where is your wife"? Huh!!

They sent another Inspector out a few days later, and he didn't get into my private life.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

RedTop — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 00:25:15 GMT

Yes, our home has been inspected inside and out twice by our State Farm agent.

The first time was when the house was built in 1981, just before we moved in; it was simply visual verification. The agent walked around the outside of the house, came thru the basement for a quick peek, walked up the steps to verify the number of inside rooms upstairs and left. He might have been here 15 minutes.

The second time was also a visual verification after we added the garage. Our long time agent had just retired and we were assigned to another local State Farm agent, so his visit was more of a very brief meet and greet along with verifying the information we gave about our addition. Again, 15-20 minutes tops, not a big deal.

I update our policy every year when we receive our coverage renewal, so that anything we've done as far as plumbing, electrical, heating, etc., is up to date.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

Sage04 — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 01:08:27 GMT

@granddi wrote:
When selling our home, the buyers home insurance required an inside and out inspection. I don't know what they were looking for but we complied.

@granddi that's normal. The buyers always hire an inspector. Those people find things that you can't see lol. They try to find anything that's wrong.

We flip houses and sometimes we get a five page document about every little thing. Most of the time the buyers would just ask to have a few things fix.

Re: Home Inspection for Home Insurance Policy

ScrapHappy — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 01:19:41 GMT

We had Liberty Mutual for years. Never asked for an inspection inside or out. When I got fed up with Liberty Mutual (for many reasons) and switched to Allstate, they did an outside inspection only. Tht was about 6 years ago. Allstate price increases got insane. Decided to try an insurance broker. Recommended a company for both home and auto. Got a better price with more coverage. But this company did want to come to my house and look inside and out. He wa there for less than 10 minutes. Took some pictures. Asked a couple of questions. Mainly what we've done to the house, what this bathroom updated/remodeled and what it cost, etc. After his visit, they increased our premium by $2000. Even my broker was shocked. Of course, we dropped them and went with another company my broker recommened. I will say that we have a high value home.