Do homeowners insurance companies have the right to inspect my home?

When you apply for homeowners insurance, inspecting your home is part of the application process. The insurance company uses the inspection to appraise the property value and to look for special circumstances which affect the insurability of the home and what your premiums will be.

The insurance company wants to verify the details of your home. For this, they need to check the square footage, verify the construction materials, verify the age, and look for damages or abnormalities. Since the insurance company is going to be responsible for your home, they inspect as a way to know exactly what the risks facing the home will be.

The physical examination includes checking both the exterior and interior walls, inspecting the heating and cooling systems, and taking a look at any exposed plumbing. The inspector will look for mold, holes in the walls, and any obvious damage that reduces the value of the home. Your roof and floor will be similarly inspected, and you will be notified of any problems which affect your home insurance.

Part of the home inspection will check inspect for infestations of insects or other vermin. This includes checking for termites, ants, rats, and squirrels. The inspection will verify that your attic and foundation are sound and free of living things that could damage or destroy the home. If an infestation is found, you will either be denied coverage completely, or given a period of time to have the situation corrected.

The home inspection will not stop at the dwelling. It will also include an inspection of other structures covered under the policy such as a garage, workshop, or guest cottage. Next, the inspection will check for debris on the roof, shrubbery or trees growing too close to house, and limbs or roots that threaten the home.