Insurance 4-point inspections in San Diego
We offer specialized inspections tailored to help property owners meet the criteria set by their insurance providers.
Four systems, one report
What insurers ask about, and what we look at in each.
Roof
Covering, age and the service life left in it, plus cracked tiles, failed flashing and any sign of a leak.
Electrical
Panel brand, amperage and wiring type, plus the hazard panels insurers ask about: Federal Pacific and Zinsco.
Plumbing
Supply material, corrosion and leaks, the water heater and its seismic strapping. Add a camera scope for the lateral.
HVAC
Age, type, and whether the heating and cooling actually run on the day.
The four systems insurers ask about
A 4-point inspection covers the roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC. Insurers ask for it before they will issue or renew a policy, usually on an older home, and they use it to set eligibility and premium.
He is very thourough and detailed and routinely goes above and beyond to insure that his customers will be well informed.
What you get
We report the age and condition of each of the four systems with photographs, in the format carriers expect. Finding a problem here costs less than finding it in a denied claim.
Who Needs a 4-Point Inspection?
Buyers purchasing a home built roughly 25 years ago or earlier often find their lender's required insurance won't bind until a 4-point clears. Owners renewing a policy may receive a sudden carrier request, especially after switching insurers or when a carrier tightens its underwriting in California's hardening market. Real estate agents use a 4-point to keep an escrow on track when an insurability question surfaces late. And landlords or investors adding an older rental to a portfolio typically need one to secure a new dwelling policy.
A focused report for the insurer; ask about bundling it with a full inspection.
Home inspection
- Single family, from$475
- Condominium unit, from$395
- Townhome or attached, from$425
- Raised foundation+ $150 / $245
ADD $150 for all raised foundation type properties under 2,000 sq ft, $245 over 2,000 sq ft
Add-ons
- Sewer Camera Inspection (standalone)$475
- Sewer Camera Inspection (with home inspection)$299
- Pool & Spa Inspection (standalone)$475
- Pool & Spa Inspection (with home inspection)$375
- Concrete Slab Survey (with home inspection)$40
4-Point inspections: questions we get
Why do insurers require a 4-point inspection?
Older homes carry more risk in the four systems most likely to cause a major claim, roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. A 4-point gives the underwriter current, photo-documented evidence of those systems so they can decide whether to insure the home and at what premium, rather than relying on the original build date alone.
What's the difference between a 4-point and a full home inspection?
A full buyer's inspection documents the entire property for your decision-making. A 4-point is narrower and written for an insurance carrier, covering only the four systems they underwrite. If you're buying, you often want both.
How old does a home have to be to need one?
It varies by carrier, but requests commonly start once a home is around 25 to 40 years old. Some insurers also require one regardless of age after a coverage lapse or carrier change.
What if a system fails the inspection?
A flagged defect isn't an automatic denial. Carriers usually allow you to repair the issue and submit verification. We document conditions clearly and can re-verify a repaired item so coverage moves forward.
Can you scope the sewer line during the same visit?
Yes. Given San Diego's aging clay and cast-iron laterals, many clients add a sewer camera inspection at the same appointment for a fuller picture of the plumbing.
What is a 4-point inspection?
A 4-point inspection is a focused evaluation of a home's four major systems: roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Insurance companies use it to assess risk before issuing or renewing a policy. It's narrower than a full home inspection, documenting the age, condition, and any visible defects of just these four systems for the insurer.
Who needs a 4-point inspection in San Diego?
Homeowners and buyers of older properties typically need one, since many insurers require a 4-point inspection before writing or renewing a policy on homes roughly 25 to 40-plus years old. If your San Diego carrier asks for documentation of your roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC condition, this inspection satisfies that request.
What does a 4-point inspection check?
It checks four systems: the roof (covering type, age, and visible wear), electrical (panel, wiring type, and safety concerns like outdated systems), plumbing (supply and drain materials plus leaks), and HVAC (age and operating condition). Our InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector documents each system's status and notes deficiencies insurers commonly flag.
What the four points cover
Field notes from the inspectors.
Your home is a major investment.
Protect it with San Diego's certified, 5-star-rated inspectors.