So I get an email from a company called Hover telling me I need to download an app on my phone and take pictures of my home for my h.o. insurance company.

Have not received any notification from my insurance co. about this though when I go to their website and do a search for Hover I find a section about self evaluation of your home.

Have had the same ins. co. for over 25 years and had no issues with any claims made, Just a discussion with my agent about my rates and a reevaluation of my policy and my auto policy early this year that resulted in lower premiums for both. Same or better coverage on both- go figure.

Anyone else have to do this or have their home inspected for their insurance company?

I have not, but have heard that insurance companies have started doing some odd things. If anyone is considering changing companies, be sure your roof is fairly new and the septic system passes inspection. They are beginning to decline new policy holders until properties are up to their standards.

quote:

Originally posted by petr:
I have not, but have heard that insurance companies have started doing some odd things. If anyone is considering changing companies, be sure your roof is fairly new and the septic system passes inspection. They are beginning to decline new policy holders until properties are up to their standards.

I recently bound landlord coverage for a new property acquisition and the agent warned me about this. I was prepared, but they haven't asked.

Just last week my local ALFA insurance agent called me and asked if he could come to my home that afternoon. I told him I was out of town but would be back the next day. He asked for approval to arrive that next morning at 9:00 a.m. which was fine with me. He identified that NOTHING was wrong and would explain the reason for his site visit request upon his arrival.

Upon his arrival (never have had this happen in 32 years with ALFA) he explained that every agent was provided a “random” list of 100 home owner customers that they had to conduct a site visit over a two month period of time. He was super professional and kind also apologizing for the situation. He walked into our home, stayed for about 15 minutes never leaving our living room. He then walked outside and took five or six pictures of the outside of our home and property (told us he had to take the outside photos only) and left.

He said this was a requirement from their cooperate office and their was no problems or issues with out policy or account. He also said this was going to be something that every agent would be doing going forward until they have conducted a site visit with every home owner policy holder under their responsibility.

I’ve been hearing that insurance companies are starting to fly drones over their insured homes to look at roofs.

quote:

So I get an email from a company called Hover telling me I need to download an app on my phone and take pictures of my home for my h.o. insurance company.

I wouldn't respond to any communication coming from a third party and not directly from the insurance company.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
I wouldn't respond to any communication coming from a third party and not directly from the insurance company.

Yup. Until proven otherwise, they are scammers, afaic.

This is not entirely new. When I moved into my new home in the coastal area of SC a few years ago, the insurance company sent a local inspector by to verify that I had hurricane shutters for my windows and doors, as well as a whole house generator. No one from the insurance company has come by since, at least that I am aware of.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
I wouldn't respond to any communication coming from a third party and not directly from the insurance company.

Yup. Until proven otherwise, they are scammers, afaic.

This.

Insurance home inspections are definitely a thing, but don't just take that random email from a third party company as gospel.

Talk with your insurance company to see if it's legitimate.

Insurance company sent an inspector . He took pictures of my electrical panel and strangely enough , the shutoff valves on my sinks and toilets .

Calling my agent tomorrow.
Wasn't going to respond to the email at all, my feeling was the same as others that have had no notification from the insurance co.
Lots of roof scams going on in my area from hail storm last year. Just replaced mine last year due to age. Had to provide the insurance co. a paid in full receipt from a licensed and insured roofing co. to keep coverage.

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
Insurance company sent an inspector . He took pictures of my electrical panel and strangely enough , the shutoff valves on my sinks and toilets .

Not really strange to me. There's an underwriter sitting at a desk hundreds of miles away responsible for making their "book of business" more profitable. Those cheap plastic twist type valves are notorious for beginning to leak (usually a slow steady weep). The weep generally goes unnoticed until it results in significant damage.
The photos give them a heads up on the potential issue. If you have that type of valve don't be surprised if they ask you to update into a ball valve.

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
Insurance company sent an inspector . He took pictures of my electrical panel and strangely enough , the shutoff valves on my sinks and toilets .

Not really strange to me. There's an underwriter sitting at a desk hundreds of miles away responsible for making their "book of business" more profitable. Those cheap plastic twist type valves are notorious for beginning to leak (usually a slow steady weep). The weep generally goes unnoticed until it results in significant damage.
The photos give them a heads up on the potential issue. If you have that type of valve don't be surprised if they ask you to update into a ball valve.

It's been over a year so I guess they are satisfied .

We just moved and kept our home owners insurance (Amica).
We were told that when we get settled they would like a video tour of the home and contents.

Have my firearms insured through another company, but I'm wondering what happens when they see 2 rather large gun safes installed?

quote:

Originally posted by petr:
....If anyone is considering changing companies, be sure your roof is fairly new and the septic system passes inspection. They are beginning to decline new policy holders until properties are up to their standards.

I can see them checking your roof because roofs are a claim they pay out on. But I didn't know they worried about septic systems because I never knew they were covered under insurance? Insurance companies inspect them?

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:
Those cheap plastic twist type valves are notorious for beginning to leak (usually a slow steady weep). The weep generally goes unnoticed until it results in significant damage.

Yep. Had that in the guest bathroom in my last house. Bathroom was rarely used, but there were some extra towels stored in the cabinet under the sink. Went to grab some of those one day and was puzzled to find that they entire pile of towels was damp and warm. Discovered that the cheap screw-type shutoff valve on the hot side under that sink had developed a slow leak.

With that room rarely being used, if those towels hadn't been down there to soak up most of the leakage, it could have done a bunch of damage to the cabinet and walls without being noticed for a long time.

Luckily, all of the shutoffs in my current house are higher quality quarter turn ball valves.

quote:

Originally posted by McGregor:
Calling my agent tomorrow.
Wasn't going to respond to the email at all, my feeling was the same as others that have had no notification from the insurance co.
Lots of roof scams going on in my area from hail storm last year. Just replaced mine last year due to age. Had to provide the insurance co. a paid in full receipt from a licensed and insured roofing co. to keep coverage.

Good move, my first thought it is a scam.
Making your agent do more than clip coupon is wise.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

quote:

Originally posted by petr:
....If anyone is considering changing companies, be sure your roof is fairly new and the septic system passes inspection. They are beginning to decline new policy holders until properties are up to their standards.

I can see them checking your roof because roofs are a claim they pay out on. But I didn't know they worried about septic systems because I never knew they were covered under insurance? Insurance companies inspect them?

A friend of mine is with a mortgage company and has said it a few times now that lenders and insurance companies are declining applications for these reasons. Not one or the other, both.

This is actually nothing new. Your insurance company have always been able inspect your property to make sure it is still acceptable risk. Typically, they do it when they first write the business. However, they can do inspection. Typically, these are done about 90 days from your renewal. They need to have time to send you a non-renewal letter if there are legitimate issues.

Stuff they look for that that is obvious. Examples such as a home business with a sign(photographer), home not kept up(in poor condition), you having 4x4 propping up your roof for a year while you are 'remodeling' or not having proper rails on porch/fence around pool.

They don't ever go inside your home so that isn't a thing...but i have heard of posted photos on realtor sites that have caused non-renewal due to a home that looked like a tornado hit it.

Stuff I have heard they having a fit about that they shouldn't. A bb gun hole in the siding. Tree or shrub touching the home. or you having a mess in the yard(temporary) for whatever reasons.

I'd rather they use a drone and see my current situation than to use google maps from a while back.

For privacy sake, you can always blur your home on google maps. Just google that.

quote:

Originally posted by Beanhead:


They don't ever go inside your home so that isn't a thing...

.

Oh yes . They do go in your home .