I have been doing four point and wind mitigations for a few months now. I was Just curious as to what your routine or “scope of inspection” is for your 4 point inspections by themselves.
In a full home inspection you get more information as a whole, but was curious as to where you all draw the line for insurance purposes? Obviously you have the minimum requirements on the form, but how detailed do you get determining deficiencies for the electrical. Do you run the water to test plumbing, gfci’s for electrical etc.
I’ve Been doing them for 16 years. Over time the 4 point has become more detailed.
But I cover the minimum the form requires plus anything the visibly sticks out.that may be an eminent issue.
Over the years I’ve developed a standard photo list for the 4 points that I’ve had underwriters request certain photos. I rather have to many photos then not what that particular underwriter wants to see and get the call back for the missing photo.
But to sum it up definitely don’t inspect 4 point as if it where a Home Inspection. That Insurance agent won’t be referring work to you long if you do.
No doubt 4 point insurance inspections are a juggling act at best. The insurance agent wants you to write a clean report regardless, all they want is to sell the policy. If you choose to be someone’s patsy, go for it.
I prefer not to do them especially if I’ve already completed a full home inspection, I know too much about the home and I will disclose more than they ask should I see an issue, whether they like it or not.
Your being a Fl. license inspector there are standards of practice for you to follow, keep that in mind. Yes, I know that’s not what an insurance inspection is.
What is it?? The 4-point is something the insurance industry conjured up to reduce their costs and transfer the liability over to you the inspector, you’re being used as a layer of protection. That’s right you’ve become an added layer of protection for them. So, fill it out the way “they’ want accepting the liability and hope you don’t find yourself with a court room explaining yourself. Or use your best judgment filling in the comment section, doesn’t matter if they like it or not, remember it’s your butt on the line if something happens. Protect yourself, it not worth a couple of dollars.
This has been debated many times. Several of us have contacted the licensing board with the exact question of what standards are used for a four point inspection.
The answer is, there are none.
And until there are, then you really do not have to worry about liability, per se.
Unless, you performed a home inspection on the house that you’re also doing a four-point inspection on. Obviously in that scenario you would have to write down everything on the four point that you found wrong on the home inspection.
Because I sincerely doubt that if you ever ended up in court you could claim that you had amnesia when you did the four point.
As for a standalone four point, I have a standard form that has roughly 30 picture slots because the insurance companies want to see pictures of all the drain lines, all the shut off valves, parts of the electric panels, etc.
If something is a glaring issue, I will tell the client you need to fix this. Before I submit this report, get that fixed and we’ll get a new picture.
Other than that, I simply follow the form. And “system”, is a very large word.
