Can I Get Homeowners Insurance without an Inspection?
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Is an Inspection Required to Get Homeowners Insurance?

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Why Is an Inspection Required to Get Homeowners Insurance in San Diego, CA

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Most of the time, an inspection is needed to get homeowners insurance. However, there are ways to get home insurance without an inspection. If a home is 25 years old or more, an insurance company will want to check for liabilities. The common things insurers look for during an inspection include security risks, safety risks, maintenance, updates, and measurements.

Types of Inspections

Some insurance companies require a 4-point home inspection, which means the inspector will walk through and focus on the roof, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. These inspections aren’t thorough, so they shouldn’t be used to gauge the risks of the entire house. During a full inspection, inspectors will check walls, floors, and ceilings for potential risks. They’ll also measure special features of the house and see what maintenance and updates have been made to the home. Other things an inspector may look for include pest problems, lead-based paint, and water or mold damage.

Appraisals & Inspections

An insurance company may accept an appraisal of the house for your homeowners insurance. If the house is old, the appraisal may not be good anymore. If an insurance company will accept an appraisal instead of an inspection, they’ll most likely send their own appraisers. These appraisers will look at the structural integrity of the home, including brickwork and foundations. They’ll check for defects and liabilities on the property as well.

Most insurance companies ask for an appraisal with an inspection, but some may accept just an appraisal. Appraisers just check the value of the home, while inspectors check for potential hazards. Even without an inspection, an insurance company can recommend improvements to the homeowner.

Inspections & Insurance

Your ability to get homeowners insurance without an inspection depends on the insurance company. If your house is over 25 years old or hasn’t been inspected in 8 to 10 years, the insurance company will want to know how much risk is involved. When buying a house, it’s recommended to get an inspector to look it over. However, it’s not mandatory, and banks don’t require an inspection for a mortgage.

Another thing to consider is whether your house had an inspection but failed. Again, your ability to get coverage depends on the insurance company. Sometimes a policy will be denied until repairs are made. Alternatively, you may receive a policy that gives you a time limit to fix the issues. A buyer could also use this as a bargaining tool. If the house failed inspection because of a leak in the roof, the buyer could try to get a lower price and make the repairs him or herself. If you can’t get traditional homeowners insurance, there’s always a surplus lines policy, which is specifically for construction or at-risk properties and will be more expensive than homeowners insurance.

For reliable, affordable home insurance, San Diego homeowners know they can trust Altra Insurance Services. We also provide renters, commercial, motorcycle, and auto insurance National City, residents can receive a free quote by calling one of our friendly agents today at 619-474-6666.

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