Submitted by Yogurtsamples t3_10b76ua in RhodeIsland

Lived and in my house over four years (125 years old if that matters) and I just got a call from an inspector that the insurance company needs it inspected. I asked why and he said they do this every 2-3 years. Is this normal or for real?

8

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

nevitales t1_j48ivks wrote

My insurance co did an inspection when we moved in. It didn't take long and was really just to confirm things, etc.

−1

arrow_of_apollo t1_j48japd wrote

Insurance did an outside inspection when I bought my house, but never after. If you didn't change companies I would call your insurance company to confirm it's legit, then ask them to confirm the inspectors name. Could easily be a scam or something.

21

M_Viv_Van_Buren t1_j48lcwe wrote

Owned a few houses and they sent someone to look inside the newest one but my old house they looked outside and that was it. Definitely sounds a bit suspect.

6

noungning t1_j48lkmb wrote

Definitely sounds questionable, I think a lot of insurance companies close at 8pm EST so try to give them a call. I know that several cities are also doing a value assessment but haven't heard of insurance doing insurance re-assessments.

1

RandomChurn t1_j48pks3 wrote

Have had my house for decades. Same insurer since I bought it. Never had a "reinspection"

1

Status_Silver_5114 t1_j48rsg7 wrote

Never had a call from Our company. My neighbor did when he was shopping around for a new carrier and they (new carrier) did an inspection and told him he had to upgrade his electric (all k and t) or lose his insurance in a month. But otherwise never heard of that. We’ve even had claims folks come out when we had to actually use the insurance and they didn’t “redo” an inspection.

But hey there’s always a first time. Maybe the company is getting bought out and they are doing this as part of that? Or it’s a scam.

1

koidrieyez t1_j48wzpu wrote

Allstate did one after having them for 20 years, even during construction of the house. Inspector said they were cutting down on "older homes" in their portfolio. Sure enough they cancelled me.

4

Rhody1964 t1_j492pm2 wrote

Ugh, we had this happen. Move the grill away from the house and God forbid you have a trampoline. We never let them in the house.

3

Hot_Introduction_270 t1_j49e2m2 wrote

Mine inspection consisted of me taking pictures of different parts of my house they asked for.

1

Puzzleheaded_Try1359 t1_j49f41m wrote

I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I’m a general contractor and I have heard of this happening to people who own multi-family buildings pretty often due to the wild fluctuations in property values over the past few years. Unless you have any structural issues or major water leaks that can cause mold issues, you don’t have anything to worry about. If you have any evidence of leaks in your ceiling, discoloration or bubbling, I would delay the inspection until you patch the areas with joint compound, primer, and paint. If you have any loose facia boards(the front facing boards behind your gutters) they may give you shit about that.

Edit: this happening to single family homeowners is far less common but not unheard of. Just be sure to confirm any inspectors credentials and if anyone tells you “Hey you need to pay this amount of $ or ins company B will drop you” it’s probably a scam

3

FrequentAnnual1262 t1_j4aqbvl wrote

In my years of home ownership have never had a inspection, so make sure that this is legit.. looks "scammy" to me..

2

SuddenlySimple t1_j4au6hu wrote

This never has happened to me...owned my house 25 years.

1

March_Latter t1_j4b3mh9 wrote

I had Traveler's stop by without asking and they discovered I had a five year old German Shepherd by looking in the windows. They cancelled me.

1

Tstation t1_j4b5ncc wrote

I’m an inspector and I never understand the “it’s a scam” thing. A scam, by definition has to have a part where the scammer gets something from the act. An insurance inspection is someone taking photos and looking at your electric panel, furnace, and hot water heater. Where does the scam come in?

Most people who own houses realize insurance companies inspect their homes. Even if you never had one before, you will eventually get a call. The carrier wants info and photos in the file in case there is a claim. It also protects the homeowner if there is a claim, since there will be photographic proof of what the home looked like before the fire, flood, or whatever.

If you have doubts, call your agent. And if you refuse, you will get a letter telling you to comply or get dropped.

1

Yogurtsamples OP t1_j4b5zyq wrote

I guess it’s why didn’t the insurance company notify me first. When someone calls me out of the blue and says they want to enter my home, it’s suspect.

I have no problem complying. My issue, I guess, is transparency and communication with the insurance company.

2

Tstation t1_j4b6evb wrote

I’ve done thousands of inspections in RI and now in Florida. Some carriers send a letter letting you know someone will be calling, some don’t. As I said, call your agent to confirm. That’s what I always tell anyone who seems hesitant. Also the inspector will have credentials and paperwork showing you carrier, agent, and info on home. A “scammer” won’t have all that, lol.

1

koidrieyez t1_j4bbpyd wrote

Went with Amica. No problem. Never filed a claim with either insurer. Allstate said they dropped me because I needed a new roof. Told them I was already waiting for 2 estimates to come back. They didn't care.

3

Squidworth89 t1_j4cbn37 wrote

They came out once for me. Told me the garage needed a new roof. I told them no it did not. Never heard anything else. Was just an exterior inspection.

1

mdurg68 t1_j4ce245 wrote

I’m in a new house (4yrs) and never thought about an inspection. But we put in an in ground pool and gas fireplace since and have wondered about informing them. The actual agent left me a voicemail around the beginning of the month that got me a little worried. When I called back, an assistant answered and said he probably called to make sure everything was ok, that they usually do that once a year around renewal time.

1

Historical-Classic43 t1_j4cndfu wrote

I had insurance come out about a year after having and they did an exterior inspection and informed I needed a roof. It was crazy but insurance companies are just bullies so what do u expectn

1

shortys7777 t1_j4edvu1 wrote

Weird. I did work to my house so called my insurance to adjust the value. They just asked me a few questions on what I did and what else is on my property like deck, patio, shed

1