Updated: November 1, 2024
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Depending on the insurer and the home's features, you may obtain homeowners insurance without an inspection. For instance, insurers may forego an inspection for consumers with newer homes or a clean claims history.
In homeowners insurance, inspections are usually necessary for insurers to assess potential risks and ensure accurate policy pricing. Insurers may not allow homeowners with older homes or a history of repairs to skip the inspection before securing a policy.
Depending on the insurer and the property's characteristics, you may be able to obtain home insurance without an inspection.
Insurers typically inspect your home to assess potential risks and ensure the details provided are accurate.
If you can't avoid an inspection, planning ahead will help the process go smoothly, potentially earning you more favorable policy terms.
You may be able to get homeowners insurance without an inspection, but it depends on the insurer and the specific characteristics of the property you want to insure. Some insurers bypass home insurance inspections for newer or recently insured homes, relying instead on self-reported homeowner information and external data sources. However, the need for an inspection can vary by the policy type, state regulations, the home's location in disaster-prone areas or its age and condition history.
We recommend shopping around and comparing the policy requirements of the best homeowners insurance companies to find a provider more likely to meet your needs.
Insurance providers generally request to inspect your house to ensure that the details about your property are accurate and to assess any potential risks that could lead to insurance claims.
Insurers conduct inspections for the following reasons:
Overall, the inspection process helps insurers set fair premiums based on the actual condition of your property, ensuring proper coverage of your home.
Home insurance providers typically require inspections of older, high-risk and high-value homes. Since inspections help insurers accurately price policies by assessing the condition and risks associated with a property, insurers generally conduct inspections on:
Older Homes
Several decades-old homes often need inspections due to potential issues with aging structures, outdated electrical systems, plumbing or roofing.
Homes in High-Risk Areas
Properties located in areas prone to natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes or wildfires may require inspections to assess vulnerability and determine appropriate coverage levels.
Homes With a History of Claims
If a property has a history of insurance claims, insurers might require an inspection to identify any existing problems that could lead to future claims.
High-Value Homes
Expensive homes with high replacement costs typically undergo inspections to ensure all features are accounted for correctly and to determine the adequacy of coverage.
Homes Purchased With a Mortgage
Lenders often require a home inspection before finalizing a mortgage to protect their investment, indirectly influencing the insurance process.
Homes in Need of Repair
You might be able to get home insurance for properties in need of repair, but you'll need to be inspected before your insurer can determine if you're eligible or not.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be unable to avoid a home inspection. However, you can prepare for one by addressing issues in advance to ensure the process goes smoothly and potentially earn more favorable insurance terms on your policy.
Here are a few steps you can take:
Keep records of any updates or repairs you've made to your home, especially major ones like roof replacements, plumbing, electrical systems or HVAC upgrades. Show these to the inspector to demonstrate that the home has been well-maintained.
Clear any debris from the gutters, check the roof for loose or missing shingles and ensure the siding is in good condition. Remove any hazards around the property that could be seen as liability risks, such as loose railings or cracked walkways.
Deal with any pest infestations in your home before the inspection, especially if you have termites or rodents. Evidence of pests can be a red flag for inspectors.
Make sure that all safety features, such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and security systems, are accessible and in working order.
Have any relevant paperwork ready, such as proof of purchase for major appliances, warranties, certificates for pest control and any structural assessments.
Present your home in a clean and tidy manner. This will make a good impression and allow the inspection to proceed smoothly.
Ensure that all areas of your home are accessible, including attics, basements and crawl spaces. Locked doors or blocked entries can result in an incomplete inspection.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
