Required for Most Florida Homes 25 Years or Older
Florida insurance carriers face a unique challenge: insuring older homes against hurricane risk, humidity damage, and the gradual wear that affects every property over time. To manage that risk, most Florida insurance companies require a 4-Point Insurance Inspection on any home 25 years or older before issuing, renewing, or transferring a homeowner's policy.
The 4-Point Inspection focuses specifically on the four systems most likely to fail with age — and most likely to cause expensive insurance claims. Roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC — the four major mechanical and structural systems — are evaluated to confirm they're in serviceable condition with no immediate risk of failure. The completed report tells your insurance carrier whether the home is insurable, what credits it qualifies for, and whether any conditions need to be addressed before a policy can be bound.
Closer Look Inspections has been completing 4-Point reports for Orlando and Central Florida homeowners since 2015. We use the standard Citizens Insurance 4-Point form (also accepted by virtually every Florida carrier), document each system with clear photos, and deliver the completed report the same day — so your insurance agent has everything they need to move your policy forward without delay.
The Four Systems Insurance Carriers Need to See
A 4-Point Inspection focuses on the four major systems that insurance carriers consider highest-risk for older Florida homes. Here's exactly what's evaluated — and what your insurer is looking for.
Roof
The roof is the single biggest concern for Florida insurance carriers. We document roof material type, age, current condition, and remaining useful life, along with any visible damage, repairs, or maintenance issues. Insurance carriers commonly require at least 3 to 5 years of remaining roof life before binding a policy — sometimes more. FAA-licensed drone documentation is included for complete coverage.
Electrical System
The electrical panel, wiring, and major components are evaluated for safety, code compliance, and known problem types. Insurance carriers specifically flag aluminum branch wiring, knob-and-tube wiring, Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels, and any double-tapped breakers or signs of overheating. The 4-Point form documents the panel manufacturer, amperage, wiring type, and overall condition.
Plumbing System
The plumbing system is evaluated for supply line material, drain line material, water heater age and condition, and any signs of active or past leaks. Insurance carriers specifically flag polybutylene supply lines (common in Florida homes built between 1978 and 1995), galvanized supply lines, cast iron drain lines past their service life, and any signs of mold or water damage.
HVAC System
The heating and cooling system is evaluated for age, condition, manufacturer, and operational status. Insurance carriers want to confirm the system is functional and not past its useful life. Florida HVAC systems typically have a 12-to-15-year service life, and systems older than that may trigger insurance concerns. The 4-Point form documents both the air handler and the condenser unit separately.
4-Point Coverage
- Roof system
- Material type & installation date
- Current condition & remaining life
- FAA drone documentation
- Visible damage or repairs
- Electrical system
- Panel manufacturer & amperage
- Wiring type identification
- Branch circuit evaluation
- Known problem panel screening
- Plumbing system
- Supply line material
- Drain line material
- Water heater age & condition
- Leak & damage assessment
- Polybutylene identification
- HVAC system
- Heating system age & condition
- Cooling system age & condition
- Operational testing
- Manufacturer documentation
- Standard 4-Point form
- Photographic documentation
- Same-day delivery
Three Reasons Florida Homes 25+ Years Old Need This Inspection
If you're buying, refinancing, or maintaining insurance on an older Florida home, the 4-Point Inspection isn't optional — it's the document that determines whether you can get a policy at all.
Required for Policy Approval
Most Florida insurance carriers — including Citizens, Progressive, Tower Hill, and others — require a current 4-Point Inspection on homes 25 years or older before issuing or renewing a policy. Without it, your application typically can't be processed and your policy can't be bound.
Identifies Insurance Deal-Breakers
Certain conditions — Federal Pacific panels, polybutylene plumbing, severely aged roofs, knob-and-tube wiring — can disqualify a home from many insurance carriers. The 4-Point Inspection identifies these conditions early, giving you time to address them or shop alternative carriers before closing or renewal.
Documents Insurable Condition
When the 4-Point comes back clean, it's a green light for insurance carriers. Your underwriter can move quickly, your policy can be bound, and you avoid the delays, denials, and surprise premium increases that older homes often trigger when no recent 4-Point is on file.
Why Central Florida Homeowners Trust Closer Look
A poorly completed 4-Point Inspection can delay closing, trigger insurance denials, or force expensive last-minute repairs. Here's what sets Closer Look apart:
- Certified Master Inspector — Florida Insurance TrainedKeith Wilson holds the Certified Master Inspector designation and has completed thousands of 4-Point inspections for Central Florida homeowners. He knows exactly what Florida insurance carriers look for — and how to document conditions accurately so your underwriter can make a fast, confident decision.
- Standard Citizens Insurance Form UsedWe complete the same 4-Point form that Citizens Property Insurance accepts — which is also accepted by virtually every other Florida carrier. One inspection, one form, accepted by everyone — no need to redo the work for different insurers.
- FAA-Licensed Drone Roof DocumentationThe roof is the most important part of any 4-Point inspection, and steep or multi-story roofs can be hard to evaluate from a ladder. FAA-licensed drone documentation gives insurance carriers complete photographic coverage of every roof slope — included at no additional charge.
- Photo Documentation of Each SystemEach of the four systems is documented with clear, labeled photographs — electrical panel interior and exterior, plumbing supply and drain materials, water heater data plate, HVAC condenser and air handler data plates, and roof condition. Insurance carriers can verify everything visually, which means faster underwriting decisions.
- Same-Day Report DeliveryYour 4-Point Inspection report is delivered the same day as your inspection through our Scribeware platform. Forward it to your insurance agent immediately and start the underwriting process without delay.
- Included Free With Every Full InspectionIf you're already getting a pre-purchase inspection from Closer Look, the 4-Point Inspection is included at no additional charge — saving you the $150 or more that other inspectors charge for it as a standalone service.
The 4-Point Inspection Process
From scheduling to delivered report, here's exactly what to expect when you book a 4-Point Inspection with Closer Look.
Schedule
Call 407-319-4608 or book online. 4-Point inspections can be scheduled standalone or included with a full home inspection at no extra cost.
Four-System Evaluation
Inspector evaluates roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems on-site, with photographic documentation of each component the insurance carrier needs to see.
Standard Form Completion
The standard Citizens Insurance 4-Point form is completed with all required documentation — accepted by virtually every Florida insurance carrier.
Same-Day Delivery
Your completed 4-Point report is delivered the same day via Scribeware — ready to forward to your insurance agent for underwriting and policy approval.
4-Point Inspection FAQ
Everything Florida homeowners want to know about insurance underwriting inspections.
What is a 4-Point Inspection?
A 4-Point Inspection is a focused inspection of the four major systems in a home: roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. It's required by most Florida insurance carriers for homes 25 years or older, and tells the insurance carrier whether each of those four systems is in serviceable condition with no immediate risk of failure. It's faster and less comprehensive than a full home inspection.
Is a 4-Point Inspection required for my home?
Most Florida insurance carriers — including Citizens Property Insurance — require a current 4-Point Inspection on any home 25 years or older before issuing, renewing, or transferring a homeowner's policy. Some carriers require it even sooner (15 or 20 years old). If your home is 25+ years old and you're buying, selling, refinancing, or shopping insurance, you'll almost certainly need a 4-Point on file.
How long is a 4-Point Inspection valid?
Most Florida insurance carriers accept a 4-Point Inspection that's less than one year old, though some carriers may accept reports up to two years old. If your last inspection was completed during a previous transaction, it may need to be updated for a new policy. Call 407-319-4608 if you're not sure whether your existing report is still current.
Is the 4-Point included with a full home inspection?
Yes. The 4-Point Inspection report is included at no additional charge with every full Closer Look pre-purchase inspection. If you're already scheduling a full home inspection, the 4-Point is automatically completed and delivered with your full report — saving the $150+ that other inspectors charge for it standalone.
Can I get a 4-Point Inspection by itself?
Yes. Standalone 4-Point Inspections are common for existing homeowners — particularly when switching insurance carriers, when an existing 4-Point expires, or when refinancing. Call 407-319-4608 for a standalone 4-Point quote.
What conditions might cause my home to fail a 4-Point Inspection?
Insurance carriers commonly flag: roofs with less than 3 to 5 years of remaining life, Federal Pacific or Zinsco electrical panels, aluminum branch wiring, knob-and-tube wiring, polybutylene plumbing supply lines, severely aged HVAC systems, and any signs of active leaks or fire damage. A 4-Point report identifying these issues doesn't necessarily mean the home is uninsurable — but it may require repairs or alternative carriers.
What if my 4-Point identifies a problem?
Identifying problems is exactly the point of the inspection. If conditions are flagged, you have several options: address the repairs and re-inspect, shop carriers who accept the conditions as-is, or negotiate repairs with the seller during a real estate transaction. Your insurance agent and real estate agent can guide you through the best path forward based on what's found.
How quickly can I get my 4-Point report?
Closer Look schedules 4-Point Inspections within 48 hours, and reports are delivered the same day as the inspection via our Scribeware reporting platform. Forward the report to your insurance agent immediately and your underwriting can typically move forward within days.
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