The standard Florida insurance inspection form covering roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Fill out online and download as PDF — no signup required.
What Is a 4-Point Inspection?
A 4-point inspection is a focused evaluation of four major home systems: roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. It's required by most Florida insurance companies for homes older than 25–30 years before they'll issue or renew a homeowner's policy. Unlike a full home inspection, a 4-point is narrower in scope — the insurer wants to know the age, condition, and type of these four systems to assess risk.
If you're an inspector working in Florida (or any state where insurers require this), you're doing these constantly. The form needs to be clean, specific, and formatted the way underwriters expect to see it. Vague answers get kicked back, and kicked-back forms mean callbacks, delays, and frustrated clients.
This template follows the standard format most Florida carriers accept. It captures the specific details underwriters look for — wiring type (not just "good"), pipe material (not just "copper or not"), roof shape, HVAC system type, and age of each component. Fill it out once, download the PDF, and attach it to the insurance application.
What's covered
- Property Info: Property address & year built, Inspector name & date, Insurance company name
- Roof System: Roof type, material & age, Shape — gable/hip/flat, Condition rating, Replacement permits
- Electrical System: Panel type & amperage, Wiring type — copper/aluminum/K&T, Breakers vs fuses, Grounding status
- Plumbing & HVAC: Supply pipe material, Water heater age & type, HVAC system type & age, System condition ratings
Why this checklist
Insurance companies expect a specific format. Underwriters scan 4-point forms quickly. A consistent, well-organized template means fewer questions and faster approvals. If your form looks professional, the underwriter trusts the data more.
Covers the exact four systems required. This isn't a full home inspection form trimmed down. It's built specifically for the four systems insurance companies care about — roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC — with the exact fields they want to see.
Eliminates back-and-forth with carriers. The number one reason 4-point forms get rejected? Missing information. This template prompts you for every field insurers look for — wiring type, pipe material, system ages, permit history. No more "please provide roof shape."
Fast to complete between appointments. Most inspectors do multiple 4-points per day. A structured template means you can complete the form on-site or in the truck between stops. Five minutes of documentation instead of thirty.
Professional PDF for client and agent. The generated PDF looks clean enough to attach directly to an insurance application. Your name, the property details, and all four system evaluations — formatted and ready.
How to Complete a 4-Point Inspection
- Gather property information — Get the property address, year built, and the insurance company name from the agent or homeowner before you arrive. Knowing the year built helps you anticipate what systems you'll find — a 1985 home likely has different wiring than a 2010 build.
- Evaluate the roof — Document the roof type, material, approximate age, and shape. Note whether there are permits on file for any roof replacements. Insurers care deeply about roof age — a 20-year-old shingle roof on a policy renewal is a red flag for them.
- Inspect the electrical system — Open the panel. Identify the panel manufacturer, amperage, wiring type, and whether the home uses breakers or fuses. Check for grounding. The specific wiring type matters — aluminum wiring and knob-and-tube are underwriting concerns that can affect insurability.
- Check the plumbing — Identify supply pipe material (look at exposed pipes near the water heater or in the garage). Note the drain material, water heater age, and type. Polybutylene supply pipes are a common insurance flag — if you see gray plastic pipes, that's what you're looking at.
- Assess the HVAC system — Record the system type, age, and condition. Check the data plate for manufacturer info and installation date. Note when it was last serviced if the homeowner knows. A well-maintained system over 15 years old will still concern insurers.
- Add comments and sign — Include any additional observations that affect insurability. Sign the form — insurance companies require the inspector's signature to validate the report. Download the PDF and send it to the requesting agent.
Common Mistakes on 4-Point Inspections
Not specifying wiring type. "Electrical in good condition" tells an underwriter nothing. They need to know if it's copper, aluminum, or knob-and-tube. Aluminum wiring (common in 1965–1975 homes) and K&T are specific risk factors. Be explicit.
Guessing roof age. Don't estimate — look for permit records, ask the homeowner, or use the material condition to approximate. Underwriters will deny coverage based on roof age alone. If you put "approximately 15 years" and it's actually 22, that's a problem when a claim hits.
Missing pipe material identification. Polybutylene pipes (gray plastic, common in 1978–1995 homes) are a deal-breaker for many carriers. If you write "plastic" without specifying the type, the form comes back. Learn to identify CPVC (cream/yellow), PEX (red/blue/white), and polybutylene (gray).
Leaving the insurance company field blank. The agent gave you this assignment for a specific carrier. That carrier has specific requirements. Filling in the insurance company name shows the underwriter this form was prepared for their review, not recycled from another inspection.
Forgetting to sign the form. An unsigned 4-point inspection is useless. Insurance companies require the inspector's signature as attestation. It seems obvious, but it's one of the most common reasons forms get sent back.
Common questions
What is a 4-point inspection used for?
A 4-point inspection is used by insurance companies to evaluate the condition and risk of a home's four major systems: roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Most Florida carriers require it for homes over 25-30 years old before issuing or renewing a homeowner's insurance policy.
How much does a 4-point inspection cost?
Most inspectors charge $75–$150 for a 4-point inspection. It's significantly less than a full home inspection because the scope is limited to four systems. Many inspectors offer it as an add-on to a wind mitigation inspection for a bundled price.
How long does a 4-point inspection take?
The on-site inspection typically takes 30–45 minutes. You're evaluating four specific systems, not the entire property. Report writing adds another 15–30 minutes if you're using a good template.
Do all states require 4-point inspections?
No. The 4-point inspection requirement is primarily a Florida thing, though some carriers in other hurricane-prone states are starting to adopt similar requirements. In Florida, it's standard for homes over a certain age.
Can a homeowner do their own 4-point inspection?
No. Insurance companies require the inspection to be performed by a licensed inspector, general contractor, or other qualified professional. The report must include the inspector's license number and signature to be accepted.
What fails a 4-point inspection?
Common failures include polybutylene plumbing, knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, Federal Pacific electrical panels, roofs over 20 years old, and HVAC systems that are non-functional. The insurer determines what constitutes a "fail" — it varies by carrier.
Is a 4-point inspection the same as a wind mitigation?
No. A wind mitigation inspection evaluates how well a home can withstand hurricane-force winds and can earn insurance discounts. A 4-point inspection evaluates the condition of four major systems for insurability purposes. They're often done together but serve different purposes.
How often is a 4-point inspection required?
Typically every time you apply for a new policy or at renewal — which means potentially every year for some carriers. Some insurers accept a 4-point that's less than 5 years old, but many want a current one.