The Complete Guide to the Florida 4-Point Inspection

Florida 4-Point — Quick Answers

What a Florida 4-Point Inspection Actually Covers

The "4-Point" name comes from the four systems a carrier needs evaluated before they'll bind a policy on an older Florida home. Each system gets an age, a material, a condition rating, and supporting photos. Here's what's documented in each.

1. Roof

Material (asphalt, metal, tile, flat-membrane), age, overall condition, and remaining useful life. Carriers care most about whether the roof is good for another 5+ years. Photos: overall slope view, ridge, valleys, flashings, any damage.

2. Electrical

Service capacity (typically 100A or 200A), panel manufacturer (Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco are red flags), branch wiring type (aluminum is a red flag in older homes), GFCI presence in wet locations. Photos: panel exterior with cover, panel interior with cover off.

3. Plumbing

Supply piping material (polybutylene is a red flag), drain piping material (cast iron deteriorates), water heater age and capacity, signs of leaks. Photos: water heater data plate, supply line connections, any visible piping.

4. HVAC

System type (central, split, package), age, tonnage, refrigerant type (R-22 vs R-410A), overall condition. Photos: condenser unit, air handler, data plates. Carriers want to know it's operational and not at end-of-life.

Why Florida Carriers Require It

Florida is the highest-risk insurance market in the U.S. Hurricane exposure, an aging housing stock, and a recent legal environment around assignment-of-benefits claims have made carriers extremely cautious. The 4-Point exists so the carrier knows what they're getting before they bind:

• Roof: Avoid binding a policy on a roof that's about to fail and trigger a six-figure claim.
• Electrical: Avoid policies on homes with known fire-risk panel brands (Federal Pacific, Zinsco) or aluminum branch wiring.
• Plumbing: Avoid policies on homes with polybutylene supply lines (class-action history) or failing cast-iron drains.
• HVAC: Confirm the system is operational so the homeowner is unlikely to file a claim for a system that was already broken at binding.

If any system is at end-of-life, the carrier may decline, charge a higher premium, or require the homeowner to fix it before binding.

How InspectorData Speeds It Up

The traditional Florida 4-Point process is a 30+ minute job: walk the property, take photos on a phone, drive back to the office, transfer photos, fill out a paper or PDF form, write findings, generate a PDF, email it. InspectorData collapses that to 12-20 minutes total.

• Fill the form on your phone or tablet on site. Or take notes there and write up at the truck — your call.
• Photos stay tagged to the right system. Snap a roof shot — it knows it's a roof. Same for the panel, the water heater, the condenser.
• Voice dictation built in. Tap the mic, talk through findings, the system drops them into the matching system. Free, no API keys, no audio leaves your device.
• Phone ↔ computer live sync. Photos and notes from the phone show up on your computer instantly. Pick up wherever you left off.
• Compliance gate. Finalize stays grayed out until every required photo is in. You'll never deliver a 4-Point and get a "missing panel photo" callback.
• One-click delivery. Hit Finalize, the PDF emails to the carrier, agent, and homeowner — branded with your logo.

The Florida 4-Point by the Numbers

Real data points every Florida home inspector should know.

How InspectorData Compares for Florida 4-Point

An honest, sourced look at the tools Florida inspectors use today.

Feature	InspectorData	Spectora	HomeGauge	Tap Inspect
Florida 4-Point built in	✓ Yes	Add-on template	Add-on template	Add-on template
Voice dictation (free, browser-native)	✓ Yes	Limited	Not native	Not native
Phone ↔ desktop live sync	✓ 2-second sync	Manual upload	Manual upload	Phone-only
Required-photo compliance gate	✓ Built in	No gate	No gate	No gate
Per-report fee	$0	Included in plan	Included in plan	Per-inspection
90-day free trial	✓ Yes	14 days	30 days	7 days

Comparison reflects publicly listed features as of May 2026. Specifications change — verify current details on each vendor's site before deciding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Florida homes need a 4-Point?

Most carriers require it on homes 25+ years old. Mobile and manufactured homes often have stricter rules. Always check the carrier's specific underwriting guidelines.

How long is a Florida 4-Point report valid?

Most carriers accept a 4-Point for 12 months from inspection date. A few accept up to 24 months. After that you need a re-inspection.

Are photos required on the 4-Point?

Yes. Carriers require photos of each of the four systems. The InspectorData compliance gate keeps Finalize disabled until every required photo is uploaded.

What if my client's roof is too old?

Inspectors document what they see. A roof at the end of its useful life will show up in your report. Carriers may decline, raise the premium, or require replacement before binding. The decision is theirs — your job is accurate documentation.

Can I do a 4-Point and Wind Mitigation in one visit?

Yes — and most Florida inspectors do. InspectorData has both forms and the property header data carries between them so you don't retype anything.

Which carriers accept the InspectorData 4-Point PDF?

All major Florida carriers — Citizens, Heritage, Tower Hill, Universal, Florida Peninsula, FedNat, Frontline, ASI, and most surplus-lines insurers. The form follows the OIR-B1-1802 layout the industry expects.

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