Can You Get Homeowners Insurance Without an Inspection?

Though insurers don’t always require an inspection to buy home insurance, most companies will want to assess your home for potential risks.

Julia Taliesin
Written byJulia Taliesin
Julia Taliesin
Julia TaliesinInsurance Content Writer

Julia Taliesin is an insurance content writer at Insurify. She began her career as a journalist, covering local government and business in Somerville, Mass.

Evelyn Pimplaskar
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
  • 10+ years in insurance and personal finance content

  • 30+ years in media, PR, and content creation

Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.

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Updated August 20, 2024

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You might be able to get home insurance without an inspection, but it’s all up to your insurer.

When you buy a homeowners insurance policy, insurance companies often require an inspection to evaluate your likelihood of filing a claim and to help them set fair rates. If you live in a modest, recently constructed home in an area without too much severe weather, your insurer might not need to inspect your home to understand your risk.

Learn when your insurer may not require an inspection, what to expect from an insurance inspection, and how to prepare for one.

Quick Facts
  • A four-point inspection evaluates the roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.

  • Insurance inspections can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.

  • If you fail an inspection, you could still get a policy by making repairs.

When insurance companies don’t require an inspection

Insurance companies don’t always require an inspection, but it’s common for insurers to request one. If your home is older, has a higher value, or is in a region plagued by severe weather, it’s more likely your insurer will want to inspect it. These are a few circumstances when your insurance company may not require an inspection.

Your home is newly built or remodeled

Home insurance inspections are more common if you’re buying an older home or renewing a policy on an aging house. Insurers want to assess risk, so inspections will check for things like the age and condition of your roof, any nearby trees that could cause damage, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, and safety and security features.[1] A new roof and newer pipes are less likely to leak.

You don’t own a high-value home

Insurers consider your home’s replacement cost, or how much it will cost to rebuild. For example, a $200,000 home built with less expensive materials costs less to rebuild than a $2 million home constructed with special glass and stone. Insurers typically require an internal and external insurance inspection for higher-value homes.

You live in an area with a low natural disaster risk

Your insurer may not require an inspection if your region doesn’t face any seasonal or regular severe weather. Insurers are more likely to inspect homes in areas prone to natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, or tornadoes. They’ll look for vulnerabilities, excessive foliage, and improvements that increase resilience against various disasters.

You or the prior owner had a recent inspection

You may not have to get an inspection if you or a prior homeowner had one in the past decade. It’s all at your insurer’s discretion, and it may require an inspection for any renewal or new policy.

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Can you get home insurance based on an appraisal?

Home insurance companies are unlikely to accept an appraisal in place of an inspection, but it’s entirely up to your insurer. An appraisal isn’t the same as an inspection, but some elements overlap.

An appraisal typically occurs during the homebuying or refinancing process. It assesses a home’s market value to determine loan interest rates, down payment, and loan approval, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Appraisers consider factors like the home’s overall condition, size, location, nearby property values, and sales.

Home insurance inspectors assess your home’s risks and rebuild costs, not its market value. Rebuilding costs and market value may be quite different. If you’ve had a recent and thorough home appraisal, you can ask your insurer if they’ll accept it, but don’t be surprised if they still require an inspection.

Advice from the experts

Mallory Mooney

Mallory Mooney

Director of Sales and Service

“The home insurance market in general has been tightening up its underwriting, and the appraisal and inspection are used for two very different things. The only time I’ve seen an underwriter accept the appraisal was for supplementary information or to confirm data that overlaps.”

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Types of home insurance inspections

Depending on what your insurer requires, an insurance inspector may assess the interior, exterior, or all aspects of your home, according to the American Home Inspectors Training Institute (AHIT). These are the most common types of home insurance inspections.

Four-point home inspection

A four-point inspection evaluates four major features in your home: roofing, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. This is a common type of insurance inspection, especially for homeowners buying a new policy.[2] It’s faster and cheaper than a comprehensive home inspection and can help you plan for maintenance and repairs as well as help an insurer quote your premium.

Interior inspection

An interior inspection will review the same systems — electrical, plumbing, and HVAC — as well as safety features and certain structural conditions. Those often include:

  • Condition of the basement, attic, and crawl spaces

  • Fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

  • Fire extinguishers

  • Other safety features and security systems

Exterior inspection

Like a four-point inspection, an exterior inspection will review your roof’s age and condition, as well as other features like:

  • Drainage systems (gutters, land grading, etc.)

  • Foundation

  • Walkways and driveway

  • Chimneys

  • Foliage (ivy, trees, etc.)

Important Information

Insurance companies will typically contact you to schedule an inspection and will always do so if they require an interior inspection. You don’t have to be present for an exterior-only inspection, but an inspector will never enter your home without consent. Insurers can photograph your property during an inspection and at unscheduled times (using drones, for example).

How to prepare for a home inspection

The best way to prepare for an insurance inspection is to do some inspecting yourself, according to AHIT. The more you know and can share with the inspector, the smoother the inspection will go. These are some ways you can prepare:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/f1162b1344/recovery-and-repair-96x96-gold_038-recovery.svg

    Declutter

    Make sure the inspector can easily check under your sinks and in the basement. Clear away trash, foliage, or other obstacles from your home’s exterior.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/7485bbf2c2/protection-and-security-96x96-green_025-spy.svg

    Look for water damage

    Grab a flashlight and look for signs of leaks, like mold and mildew, especially in the basement.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/0989d9c1e0/protection-and-security-96x96-orange_016-door-lock.svg

    Test your safety systems

    Check that windows and doors seal tight and locks are working properly. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace batteries if needed.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/9cc6cc3671/renewable-energy-96x96-blue_013-faucet.svg

    Review systems for overdue maintenance

    This could include replacing bulbs, unclogging your gutter, clearing broken branches, and fixing loose outlets. (If you’re not confident doing it yourself, it’s always better to hire a professional.)

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/ef76aca096/house-rental-96x96-green_017-maintenance.svg

    Make necessary repairs

    If you know you need a new roof and can afford to replace it, this could increase your chances of getting a policy.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/df526b3cdf/surgery-96x96-yellow_028-form.svg

    Prepare documentation

    Make a folder with your home’s floor plan and square footage and evidence of recent upgrades or renovations, which could help lower your insurance premium.

How long does a home inspection take?

An inspection could take anywhere from half an hour to half a day, primarily depending on your home’s age and size. If you have a smaller home and your insurer requests a four-point inspection, it might only take 30 minutes or so to check each system. If you have a large home and your insurer wants a full interior and exterior inspection, it could take a few hours.

How long it takes also depends on your inspector’s experience. A rushed inspection is worse than a long one, despite the possible inconvenience. A longer inspection could give you and your insurer a detailed and thorough assessment of your home.

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Can you get insurance if your home fails an inspection?

If your home fails an inspection, don’t panic. You still have some options to secure a homeowners insurance policy. These are some steps you can take after a failed homeowners insurance inspection:

  1. Resolve issues if you can. Sometimes, your insurer might write you a temporary policy to give you the time to make repairs. If you make the fixes within that window, you should be all set to buy a standard homeowners insurance policy. Even if your policy is canceled, ask what improvements should be made to make your home more insurable.[3]

  2. Request a quote from a different company. If your insurer cancels your policy, get quotes from other companies. Ask your neighbors and the home’s sellers where they buy coverage, or call your state insurance department, real estate agent, contractor, and lender and ask which companies write policies in the area.

  3. Look into your state’s insurer of last resort. If multiple insurers deny coverage, look into your state’s Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan. These policies are designed to protect homeowners who can’t get insurance on the private market, but they may be more expensive.

Homeowners insurance without inspection FAQs

It can be challenging to navigate the inspection and insurance-buying process. Here’s some more information about insurance and home inspections.

  • How much does a home inspection cost?

    A full home inspection typically costs between $300 and $500 but may be more or less depending on the size and features of your home, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A four-point insurance inspection costs as little as $50–$150, according to AHIT.

  • What will cause a failed home inspection in California?

    Some of the most common issues that cause homes to fail a home inspection in California include an old or leaking roof, foundation cracks or shifting, water damage, mold, faulty electrical wiring, and outdated or problematic plumbing and HVAC systems.

  • Do all insurance companies in Florida require a four-point inspection?

    Florida’s state-backed insurer of last resort, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, requires a four-point inspection for all applications for properties over 20 years old.[4] No Florida law mandates that private insurers require a four-point inspection, but most Florida insurance companies still do, especially for older homes.

  • Why would an insurance company come to your house?

    Your insurance company may require an inspection when you’re buying or renewing a home insurance policy. Depending on what type of inspection your insurer wants, an inspector will visit your house to assess the interior, exterior, or both.

  • Can you apply for homeowners insurance without having your home inspected?

    Homeowners insurance companies may provide an estimated quote without an inspection. If the insurer requires one, you’ll likely have to include it in your application to get an accurate quote and purchase a policy. If it doesn’t require one, you can apply without getting an inspection.

Sources

  1. American Home Inspectors Training. "Home Insurance Inspections: What You Need to Know."
  2. American Home Inspectors Training Institute. "What is a Four-Point Home Inspection?."
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "What if I can't get coverage?."
  4. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. "Inspections."
Julia Taliesin
Julia TaliesinInsurance Content Writer

Julia Taliesin is an insurance content writer at Insurify. She began her career as a journalist, covering local government and business in Somerville, Mass. She reported multiple investigative stories about municipal finances and budget allocation, building development and inspection, and personnel. When the pandemic began she became a de facto public health reporter, writing daily and weekly reports using available data to quickly communicate rates of infection and city response.

She's worked for print and digital outlets, writing everything from quick-hit breaking news to long-form community features. More recently, Julia managed content strategy at a startup creating a social platform for licensed nurses, overseeing a team of nurse freelancers and editing interview transcripts and news articles for publication.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in communications from Simmons University, with a focus in journalism. Outside of work, Julia enjoys working on crafting projects, learning about homesteading, and singing in cover bands.

Evelyn Pimplaskar
Edited byEvelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
Evelyn Pimplaskar
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
  • 10+ years in insurance and personal finance content

  • 30+ years in media, PR, and content creation

Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.

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