What to Expect During a Home Inspection for Insurance Purposes

You open your email and see a message from your agent, asking you to complete a property inspection. If that's never happened before, your first reaction might be: ‘wait, did I do something wrong?’ The short answer is no. Inspections are routine, and, in many cases, you can complete the entire process just by using your phone.

Why do property inspections happen?

Your home changes over time. Maybe you've renovated a bathroom, added a fence or finally replaced that old water heater. Those updates can affect your coverage and the rate that you pay for your insurance. An inspection helps to make sure you're properly covered if you ever need to file a claim, and it gives us a chance to catch potential safety concerns before they turn into bigger (and potentially more expensive) problems.

How do I do an app-based inspection?

For some Rockingham Insurance policyholders, inspections can now be completed using a self-guided app called Flyreel. To begin the process, you'll receive an email invitation with a link to download the app and a unique access code. From there, the app walks you through taking photos and short videos of your home's interior and exterior at your own pace.

The whole inspection usually takes about 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of your home, but you can always pause and pick things back up at another time. All you need is a smartphone or tablet, daylight for exterior photos and a Wi-Fi or cellular connection to submit. If you run into any questions along the way, live support is available right in the app.

When is an in-person inspection needed?

In some situations, your agent may ask to send a professional to your property instead. This could happen with newer policies, higher-value homes or properties with features that are harder to assess through photos alone. If an in-person inspection is on your calendar, a few small things can help it go smoothly:

● Make sure the inspector can access all four sides of your home's exterior,

● Clear the area around your electrical panel, water heater and HVAC system,

● And get your pets settled somewhere comfortable so the inspector can move freely throughout the house.

What if I wasn’t asked to do an inspection? Do I still need one?

Even if you haven't been asked to complete a formal inspection, walking through your property once or twice a year with fresh eyes is one of the easiest things you can do to be proactive. Take some time to test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, peek under sinks for signs of slow leaks and take a lap around the outside of your home to spot anything that could use attention. Small catches now can save you from larger claims later, and they help you feel confident that your coverage still fits.

Still have questions about the inspection process? Reach out to your trusted Rockingham Insurance agent. They're always happy to assist and ensure that your home’s protection is just right.

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