Insurance
The 4-Point Inspection and What It Says About Your Roof
A 4-point inspection focuses on four major systems in a home: the roof, electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling. Florida insurers commonly request one when evaluating an older home for coverage. The report gives the underwriter a snapshot of the age and condition of these systems, and roof findings can have a significant effect on eligibility.
Limited time offer 4 point home inspection or wind mitigation with any new roof See what is includedA 4-point inspection looks at four systems: the roof, the electrical, the plumbing, and the heating and cooling. Insurers commonly ask for one on an older home before they will write or renew a policy. The roof section reports its condition, and a poor roof line can hold up the whole policy.
It is not a code inspection and it is not a home inspection — it is a short report on the condition and age of four things an insurer cares about.
Your choice of inspection with a new roof
For a limited time, a new roof from LMS Construction and Roofing includes your choice of a 4-point inspection or wind mitigation inspection at no additional cost. They serve different purposes. A 4-point inspection documents the condition of the home's roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems and may be requested by an insurance carrier, particularly on an older home. A wind mitigation inspection documents features of the home that may qualify for windstorm insurance discounts. If you are not sure which one would be more useful, check with your insurance agent or carrier before choosing. We will coordinate the inspection with your roofing project so you have the updated documentation after the work is complete.
What the roof section actually reports
The roof portion generally identifies the roofing material, approximate age, visible condition, signs of leaks or deterioration, and other information the insurer may use to evaluate the roof. Remaining useful life can also be important, particularly on older roofs. It is an estimate made by the qualified inspector based on the roof's observed condition, not simply a calculation based on its age.
Why insurers ask for 4-point inspections
There is no single age requirement used by every Florida insurance company. Each carrier establishes its own underwriting guidelines. The purpose of the inspection is to give the insurer more information about older roofing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems before deciding whether to insure the property and under what conditions.
Roof findings can affect insurance eligibility
The roof is an important part of a 4-point inspection. Active leaks, visible deterioration, damaged roofing, or concerns about remaining useful life can affect an insurer's underwriting decision. Depending on the carrier and the specific finding, the insurer may request documentation, repairs, additional inspection, or roof replacement before offering or continuing coverage. That does not mean every unfavorable roof finding automatically requires a new roof.
What to do if the report identifies a roof problem
Start by finding out exactly what the inspection says and what your insurance company is requiring. Sometimes the issue is a specific repairable condition, such as damaged flashing, broken or displaced roofing, or another localized defect. Other times the concern involves the overall condition or remaining useful life of the roofing system. Those can lead to very different solutions, so it is worth understanding the actual finding before deciding what work needs to be done.
Get a roofing evaluation if you have questions
A 4-point inspector evaluates several systems during one inspection. If the report raises a concern about your roof, having a roofing contractor evaluate that specific condition can provide additional information about what is actually happening and whether repair or replacement is appropriate. If you are unsure about a roof finding on a 4-point inspection, LMS will inspect the roof and give you a straightforward assessment at no cost.
Keep your roofing documentation
Keep copies of your inspection reports, permits, contracts, invoices, and other documentation from roofing work. When an insurer asks about the age or condition of the roof in the future, having clear documentation of permitted work, inspections, repairs, or replacement can make it much easier to establish what was done and when.
We will look at your roof and tell you honestly whether it needs repair or replacement before you spend money on either. No cost, no obligation — and if you do go ahead with a new roof, the 4-point or wind mitigation inspection is included while the offer lasts.
Want this looked at on your own home?
Let our experts look over your property—no cost, no obligation.