1. Heating & Air Conditioning
The inspector will look at the size of the air/heating conditioning unit, the date it was installed and check the overall condition of the unit. Many Insurance Companies prefer AC/Heating Units to be less then 15 years old.
2. Electrical Wiring & Panels
The National Electrical Code is a standard often adopted by municipalities and states, and it gets updated every three years to reset minimum electrical standards for both technical improvements and fire safety. An inspector will check for frayed, loose or exposed wiring, for adequate grounding and to make sure the electrical breakers are the proper size. Old or exposed wiring and panels may require updating or replacement before insurance can be offered.
3. Plumbing Connections & Fixtures
Inspection entails looking at the age and condition of the plumbing system – from the water heater to the main supply line and waste lines. The review will mean looking for leaks, corroded piping, and the type of piping used. Galvanized piping and polybutylene piping are two types typically found in older homes and may cause difficulty getting an insurance policy written for your home.
4. Roof
For the roof, an inspector will look at the age and overall condition. Noting defects such as lifting, curling, blistering, missing shingles, popped nails etc... Most Insurance carriers require a minimum of 3-5 years of remaining life in order to write a policy.
A Four Point Inspection may be required before an insurance policy is issued on older homes. It focuses only on the four most common elements of a home that may have worn out over decades of service or that may need to be updated or replaced because their failure could lead to significant damage to your home.
The inspection is completed by a qualified home or building code inspector, building contractor, registered architect or professional engineer.
They will inspect these four components:
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