FOUR (4) POINT & WIND MITIGATION INSPECTIONS
Four (4) Point Inspection
A Four (4) Point inspection is often required when obtaining a new homeowner's insurance policy, or when renewing an existing policy. Four (4) Point requirements will vary from carrier to carrier usually starting at 30 years or older. Four (4) Point inspections consists of a limited visual survey of the following:
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Heating/Air conditioning system
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Roof
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Electrical
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Plumbing
The purpose of the inspection is to determine the approximate age, general condition, and remaining lifespan of these systems. This is a limited visual inspection of components the insurance company may find unsafe or problematic.
With regards to the insurance company, they are generally looking to see if your property has been updated to current standards and is in good condition. After Hurricane Andrew, Insurance Companies in Florida started to encourage home owners to make their homes safer and reduce insurance claims. Today, most if not all of the insurance companies and JUA (Joint Underwriting Association) request or require Four Point Inspections for homes older than 30 years
As of 09/01/12, a 4 point insurance inspection is required by Citizen’s Insurance Company on every home 30 years or older in order to obtain a new insurance policy or renew an existing policy.
*It is important to remember that this is a limited visual inspection and does not replace an home inspection, such as for a purchase or
sale (listing inspection).
Wind Mitigation
A Wind Mitigation Inspection is a great tool to reduce your overall cost when it comes to your homeowners insurance. Submitted to your insurance provider, it may result in discounts to your policy to help save money. Most existing homes have one or more construction features that will qualify for windstorm insurance premium discounts.
A Wind Mitigation Inspection verifies the construction details of your home and is used to qualify for discounts on your insurance premium. The better your house is built to withstand Wind Damage, the more discounts you will qualify for each year.
A wind mitigation inspection is a type of home inspection. The purpose of a wind mitigation inspection is to determine the appropriateness of a given structure's construction in the event of strong winds, such as those present in a hurricane.
A homeowner with windstorm insurance can often submit the results of a windstorm inspection to their insurer to obtain discounts on their windstorm insurance. In Florida premium discounts for certain favorable wind mitigation features are mandated by State law and can sometimes show savings that up to 45% of the original policy's premium.
This inspection will consist of the inspector looking for the following 8 key categories listed below.
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Roof Covering: inspectors want to know when the roof was installed and does if it meets building codes.
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Roof Deck Attachment: inspectors will determine what type of roof decking is used and how it’s attached to the underlying structure, for example, if it’s nailed or stapled down. If nails are used, nail length and spacing between each will also be noted.
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Roof to Wall Attachment: the roof attachments become the focus here: are trusses attached with nails or hurricane clips? Are the wraps single or double? The more secure your roof, the more significant the savings.
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Roof Geometry: is your roof hip, gable or other? The inspector is looking for how it’s shaped - a hip roof resembles that of a pyramid, and is a definite qualifier for a discount.
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Gable End Bracing: if the roof is a gable style, an inspector will review if the gable ends are braced to Florida Building Code standards. Gable ends measuring more than 48 inches tall should be braced for reinforcement, and inspectors will be checking for this qualification for discount.
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Wall Construction Type: Inspectors will review the construction materials used on your home for framing, reinforcement, and outer fascia, and at what percentages. Steel reinforced concrete block homes may yield a better discount than one with a plywood-only frame and plastic siding.
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Secondary Water Barrier: This is a newer item for roofs. If your roof was installed or upgraded before 2008, it’s fairly unlikely you’ll have this sort of barrier. As with most newer features, photo documentation, at a minimum, will be required for a discount in this area.
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Opening Protection: Here, inspectors are looking for shutters and installed-protection devices from wind-born debris for doors and windows. They will also be checking the rating of the devices, if you have them (as in- are they hurricane-rated?). 100% of all openings (All or nothing) need to be covered with Hurricane rated protection to qualify for this discount.
Citizens Roof Certification Inspection
Roof Conditions Verification inspections are now required by Citizens and other insurance companies upon renewal or application for homes and mobile homes of certain ages. We are approved and properly certified to perform these types of inspections.
Are you are obtaining a new Insurance policy?
Most of the time, your insurance agent will require at least one of these inspections to obtain a policy. All you need to do is give us a call. We will perform the inspection, and send the information with all applicable pictures to you and your agent.