What is a 4-point inspection in Florida?
A 4-point inspection documents four systems — roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC — for your insurance company. Florida insurers commonly require it on older homes (Citizens: over 20 years) before writing a policy. It's an insurance form, not a substitute for your full inspection.
A 4-point inspection is a short report on four systems — roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC — created for one audience: your insurance company. It documents the age, type, and condition of each system so an insurer can decide whether to write the policy.
When you'll need one
On older homes, commonly. Citizens Property Insurance requires a 4-point for homes more than 20 years old, and many private carriers have similar thresholds (verified August 2026). If you're buying an older Central Florida home, assume one is coming and order it early — insurance surprises are a genuine closing risk, and serious findings like exposed wiring or active leaks may need fixing before coverage is approved.
What it is — and isn't
It's an underwriting document, not due diligence. Your full home inspection covers far more, for you; the 4-point covers four systems, for the insurer. Conveniently, many inspectors produce both in one visit — same trip, small add-on cost — and while they're at it, a wind mitigation report can document the features that earn premium credits Florida law requires insurers to offer.
The strategy angle
On an older home, the 4-point's likely findings are knowable at the showing: a roof near end-of-life, an older panel, an aging water heater. Pricing those into your offer — and quoting insurance during your inspection period rather than the week of closing — turns the 4-point from a landmine into a line item.
Buying older in Central Florida? We'll build the insurance checkpoint into the timeline from day one.
This answer is general education, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Your situation is unique — let's talk through the specifics together.