Home Inspector Insurance
Home inspectors are responsible for inspecting homes and other residential properties to determine their condition, safety, and value and to ensure they are up to code.
In 2019, legislation was passed to require home inspectors to be licensed by the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing
They commonly inspect the structure of a home, including its foundation, roof, walls, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical systems, etc., as well as any appliances or fixtures that may be present in the home at the time of inspection.
Home inspectors typically evaluate the following:
- air conditioning units
- security systems
- electrical wiring
- plumbing systems
- determining whether the property is suitable for its intended use based on factors such as location, size, age, condition of the structure, and local neighborhood characteristics
- structural components (Inspecting the building structure for signs of foundation problems, roof leaks, or other structural damage)
- checking the status of permits, codes, and inspections to ensure that they are up to date
- testing to determine the presence of termites, mold, asbestos, lead paint, radon gas, or other hazardous materials
- Inspecting the condition of the property’s yard and landscaping, including trees, shrubs, grass, soil, and drainage systems
They will also provide information about the condition of the home to the seller, buyer, real estate agent, and inspector’s client and recommending repairs or other actions to remedy problems found during that inspection using detailed reports, which may include photos and descriptions of any issues they discover.
As a home inspector Ohio, you may need the following insurance policy types:
General Liability
According to the State of Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Real Estate, “Every Ohio licensed home inspector shall maintain, or be covered by, a comprehensive general liability insurance policy or a commercial general liability insurance policy” That document may be found here: Insurance Requirements for Home Inspectors and includes the limits of insurance you will need.
Errors & Omissions (Professional Liability) – Also called professional liability, errors and omissions insurance (E&O) protects your business from claims that are made from mistakes that result in costing your client money on their home. Here is a great article for home inspectors on why you need this coverage Your Guide to Errors & Omission Insurance for Home Inspectors
Property – for home inspector tools like: flashlights, a moisture meter, infrared thermometer, electrical testers, cell phone, a mirror, ladders, extension poles, drones, thermal/infrared imaging cameras, AFCI/GFCI tester, Voltage indicator, etc.,
Auto – for company vehicles
Link to an example of a Home Inspector-Professional-Liability-Application