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What is a 4 Pt Inspection and why is it required?

A Four Point Insurance Inspection is often required when obtaining a new homeowners insurance policy or renewing an existing policy in Florida. The inspection includes a limited scope evaluation of the following four systems:

Roof Inspection
Electrical Inspection
HVAC (Heat, Ventilation & A/C)
Plumbing

The focus of the 4-point insurance inspection is to determine the approximate age, components, and general condition of these systems. A Deltona 4 Pt insurance inspection is NOT a comprehensive home inspection and can take less than an hour to complete. This type of insurance inspection should not be confused with a residential home inspection, which is more comprehensive in detail and scope.

4 Point Insurance Inspection History

The Four Point or 4 Pt Inspection is completed by a trained, licensed, and qualified inspector. The inspectors are required to be State of Florida Licensed Home Inspectors.

The 4 Point Insurance Inspection was developed after Hurricane Andrew struck Florida in 1992. The inspection is performed on behalf of the insurance companies; it is a requirement for the insurer to issue insurance to the new homeowner. Insurance companies may also require four-point inspections on homes that have reached 15, 20 years, or more. After the 2004 round of hurricanes in Orlando and Central Florida, the Four Point Insurance Inspection has renewed importance.

Insurance companies see the benefit of the inspection; the program is extending to other areas of the United States. The insurance company desired result is reduced loss on homeowner’s insurance policies. Most Insurance companies require a 4 Pt Inspection on homes 20 - 30 years and older. Some require a four-point inspection for homes as new as ten years old.

New 4 Pt home requirements for writing an insurance policy

Insurance companies have new strict changes that the homeowner needs to meet. Insurance underwriters require insurance agents verify the homes meet particular standards.

Roofs

Shingle roof must be less than 20 years old.

Flat roof must be less than 10 years old.

Tile roof must be less than 25 years old.

Metal roof must be less than 30 years old.

All roof must be free of signs of damage.

A Wind Mitigation Inspection is required.

If the roof age is over the age limit; only non-standard companies are available, and the roof may be excluded from coverage.

Plumbing

The plumbing should have been updated in the last 20 years.

No polybutelyne plumbing, poly is ineligible and must by replaced.

Water Heater

The water heater must be 14 years or newer.

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning

The HVAC system must be in working order and updated within the last 20 years.

Electrical

Wiring

Aluminum wiring ineligible for most companies. Aluminum wiring with AlumiConns/Copper pigtails are accepted by one company.

All cloth wiring must be replaced.

Double tapped wiring must be repaired.

Electrical panels

Challenger, Sylvania, Zinsco, and Federal Pacific electrical panels are not acceptable panels for new or renewing insurance policies.

To schedule an Insurance Inspection; Wind Mitigation, 4 Pt Insurance, or Roof Condition Certification in Seminole or Volusia county contact our office at (386) 624-3893.

Best Deltona Home Inspector, Best Volusia County Home Inspector, Best Debary Home Inspector, Best Lake Helen Home Inspector, Best Osteen Home Inspector, Best Orange City Home Inspector

Frank Carr, Florida Licensed Home
Inspector

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893

Website: http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn

The home inspection is a detailed and meticulous evaluation of a structure. The home inspector should be allocated the utmost consideration while allowing them to concentrate during inspection of the property or future home. To safely inspect a house requires a thorough understanding of the components and how they function and relate to one another. Before the inspection, we like to enquire if the buyer has any concerns with the property. Buyers often feel uneasy if the seller or the agent follows the inspector and injects their opinion or disputes their discoveries. We have had several clients walkout at this point because they feel the seller or their agents are trying to hide or conceal defects.

Should the home seller be at the inspection? What about their real estate agent?

Who should attend the home inspection?

Its not a party, its your home inspection.

A home buyer hires the home inspector because the inspection is for their sole benefit. Often the real estate agent will recommend an inspector. An agent is required to offer several inspectors for the buyer to choose from and not present only their inspector. The choice of the inspector is ultimately the home buyer's choice.

The buyer's agent usually coordinates the home inspection with the homeowner's agent once the inspection is scheduled. The agents should also ensure access to areas of the home like the attic, garage, electrical panel, water heater, gates, and keys for locked doors. The areas that are locked or inaccessible will not be inspected.

The buyer can bring friends, relatives, and an agent to the inspection. We recommend limiting the number to three or less. Fewer people ensure the inspector can concentrate on the inspecting and not what else is going on during the inspection. During COVID, we have also required masks for all who attend the inspection. The inspectors are not responsible for damage caused to the home by pets and children in attendance. The seller may limit the number of people a buyer can bring with them or insist on being present during the inspection. The inspector is there for the buyer and will not interact or discuss the property with the seller or their agent. You should avoid having the seller or their agent interact with your home inspector.

When the buyer cannot attend

Often only the homebuyer’s agent is present at the inspection. A buyer is not required to attend and may
have to work, be out of state, or not want to be present.

When the buyer attends the inspection, we can visually and verbally convey the findings before writing the report.

Should the Sellers attend the inspection?

It is not advisable the sellers or their agents are present during the inspection. The homeowner or their agent that follows the inspector and prevents him or distracts him from inspecting should be a red flag for the buyer. We have an inspection agreement; we enter into with the buyer that prohibits our interaction with the sellers or their agents. Sellers may prevent or interfere with private conversations between the inspector and the buyer. Some homeowners have intentionally shadowed the inspectors or tried to distract the inspector. This type of interaction or interference often leads to the buyers pulling out of the deal.

Hiring your inspector

When hiring a home inspector, you should seek a highly recommended inspector. Verify their licenses and insurance. Look out for inspectors that have too many reviews.

Often inspectors that have been in business for twenty years have only one or two reviews a year. Some new inspectors have hundreds of reviews, but are they legit? After completing your research and being confident in your decision, hire the best inspector you can find.