Four-point inspection
Also called: 4-point inspection, insurance inspection, four point home inspection, 4 point
A short inspection of a house's four major systems — roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC — reporting their age, material and condition, that insurers require before writing a homeowners policy on an older house (often 20–40 years or more). $75–$200; not a substitute for a full inspection.
Insurers don’t want to insure the parts of a house most likely to produce a claim without knowing what shape they’re in, so on older homes — the threshold is set by the company, commonly 20, 30 or 40 years — they require a four-point report before binding a policy. It’s common in Florida, Texas, Louisiana and other states with high claim frequency, and increasingly elsewhere.
The report is a form, usually 4–6 pages with photos. Roof: material, age, remaining life, visible damage or leaks. Electrical: panel brand and amperage, wiring type (copper, aluminum, knob-and-tube), any known hazard brands like Federal Pacific or Zinsco. Plumbing: supply material (copper, PEX, CPVC, galvanized, polybutylene), water heater age, visible leaks. HVAC: type, age, condition. A finding like polybutylene pipe, a Federal Pacific panel or a roof past its life can mean the insurer declines, surcharges, or requires replacement before coverage.
It takes 30–60 minutes and costs $75–$200 on its own, less when bundled with a full home inspection. In coastal states it’s often ordered together with a wind-mitigation inspection, which documents roof shape, attachment and opening protection for premium credits. Neither replaces a buyer’s inspection; they answer the insurer’s questions, not yours.