On this page
Insurance companies do not take your word for the condition of your home — they send someone to look at it. Sometimes it is an underwriting inspection when you buy a policy, sometimes a claims adjuster after damage, and increasingly it is a drone or satellite photo instead of a person at your door. Here is what they are looking at and why each item matters.
The roof comes first
The roof is the single biggest factor in most home inspections. Adjusters and underwriters look at the age of the roof, the material, missing or curled shingles, moss or algae growth, and signs of sagging. A roof past its expected life is the most common reason for nonrenewal notices. Insurers have become noticeably stricter about roof age in recent years — many get cautious once an asphalt shingle roof hits 10 to 20 years, and some will only offer actual cash value coverage on older roofs instead of replacement cost. If you want to understand how roof claims get paid, see our guide on roof replacement coverage.
Water intrusion and moisture damage
Inspectors look for stains on ceilings and walls, warped flooring, musty smells, and any sign that water is getting in or has gotten in. Water damage is one of the most frequent and expensive claim categories, so evidence of past or ongoing leaks raises red flags. They also check grading around the foundation — soil should slope away from the house — and look at gutters and downspouts to see whether water is being directed away from the structure.
Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems
Outdated electrical panels (certain brands are flagged by underwriters), knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, and DIY electrical work are all things inspectors note. On plumbing, they look for old galvanized or polybutylene pipes, corroded fittings, and water heaters past their lifespan — a failed water heater is one of the most common sources of interior water damage claims. HVAC systems get checked for age and maintenance; a neglected system suggests neglected everything else.
Liability hazards on the property
The liability side of the inspection looks for things that could injure a visitor: broken steps or railings, uneven walkways, unfenced pools, trampolines, aggressive dog breeds, and dead or leaning trees near the house or power lines. These do not just affect claims — underwriters can require you to fix them or drop the policy. Pools without fences are one of the fastest routes to a nonrenewal.
Signs of neglect and deferred maintenance
Peeling paint, damaged siding, overgrown vegetation against the house, cluttered yards, and tarps left on roofs all signal a property that is not being maintained. Insurers read deferred maintenance as a predictor of future claims. The logic is straightforward: a homeowner who does not fix peeling paint probably is not servicing the water heater or cleaning the gutters either.
What aerial inspections check
Drone and satellite imagery has become a standard underwriting tool. From the air, insurers assess roof condition, tree overhangs touching the roof, outbuildings, pools, trampolines, and the general state of the property. The catch is that aerial images can be outdated or misread — homeowners have been flagged for moss that was actually a shadow, or for damage that was already repaired. If you get a notice based on an aerial image, you can usually contest it with a contractor’s report or your own dated photos.
How to prepare for an inspection
- Clean gutters and trim branches touching the roof.
- Fix broken steps, railings, and walkway hazards.
- Make sure pools have proper fencing and gates that latch.
- Address visible exterior damage — peeling paint, damaged siding, missing shingles.
- Service the HVAC and water heater, and keep the records.
- Clear clutter from the yard and around the foundation.
What happens if the inspection finds problems
Usually you get a notice with a deadline to fix specific issues — repair the roof, remove the trampoline, fence the pool. You typically have 30 to 60 days. If you fix the problems and provide proof, the policy continues. If you ignore the notice, the insurer can nonrenew. The inspection is not an adversarial event; it is the insurer telling you exactly what it needs to keep covering you. Treat the punch list as a to-do list, not a verdict.
For the claims side of the process — what happens after damage is found and reported — our step-by-step claim guide covers the full process, and our breakdown of standard homeowners coverages explains what the policy pays for when the inspection turns into a claim.
