Jupiter FL 4-Point Home Inspection: Roof, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing

A Florida 4-point inspection is an insurance underwriting inspection of four systems in a house — roofing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC — not a substitute for a buyer's full home inspection. Jupiter buyers and sellers run into it when a carrier asks for proof that those systems are present, visible, and in acceptable condition before it will write or keep a policy.

Direct answer: the Florida Department of Financial Services Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate publishes a Four-Point Inspection Guide, developed with InterNACHI, that defines the inspection as an evaluation of Roofing, Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC. The guide states it is not a comprehensive home inspection, must be completed and signed by a verifiable Florida-licensed professional, and generally takes about an hour.

This page stays on that DFS guide and on Citizens Property Insurance Corporation's sample 4-point form. It does not invent premium discounts, pass/fail scores, or a price quote. For a broader Jupiter inspection overview, see luxury home inspections in Jupiter. Flood and insurance context is in Jupiter flood zones and insurance. Sellers lining up reports before list day should also read the Jupiter selling timeline.

The four systems — and only those four

The DFS guide names four systems. Citizens' sample form (Sample Form Insp4pt 01 18) requires the Florida-licensed inspector to certify the condition of the roof, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems. Citizens defines “Acceptable Condition” as each system working as intended with no visible hazards or deficiencies.

System	What the published forms actually ask
Roofing	Citizens asks covering material, roof age, remaining useful life, last permit/update, overall condition, visible damage, and leaks, with photos of each roof slope. The DFS guide notes some companies also look at remaining useful life as an example of an underwriting question — that is an insurer rule, not a statewide remaining-life statute.
Electrical	Citizens asks panel type and amps, cloth / knob-and-tube / aluminum branch wiring, listed hazards, and photos of the open main panel and interior door. Separate documentation is required for aluminum-wiring remediation, certified by a licensed electrician.
Plumbing	Citizens asks about the water-heater TPR valve, active or prior leaks, fixture condition, pipe type (copper, PVC/CPVC, galvanized, PEX, polybutylene, other), and photos of the water heater, under-cabinet plumbing/drains, and exposed valves.
HVAC	Citizens asks whether heating and air are in good working order, last servicing date, and hazards such as condensate leaks. It asks for photos of HVAC equipment including the dated manufacturer plate.

The DFS guide is explicit that this is not a comprehensive home inspection. A buyer's inspector still looks at structure, appliances, and issues outside those four systems. Do not skip the full inspection because a carrier already ordered a 4-point.

Who may sign, photos, and timing

The DFS guide states the inspection must be completed and signed by a verifiable Florida-licensed professional. Examples it lists: a licensed Florida inspection professional (home inspector) or a licensed Florida general, residential, or building contractor. Citizens' sample-form instructions give the same examples and add a building code inspector. Citizens also notes that a trade-specific licensed professional may sign off only on the section for their trade — for example, an electrician may sign only the electrical section.

Verify the license at myfloridalicense.com, which is the DFS guide's instruction. A verbal “I'm licensed” is not the same as a license number on the form.

Photo minimums in the DFS guide include each side of the home, each roof slope, water heater / under-cabinet plumbing / exposed valves, open electrical panels and doors, the HVAC system with the dated manufacturer plate, and any noted hazards. Citizens' sample form lists a matching photo set. If the report arrives without those photos, it may not meet the carrier's minimum even if the boxes are checked.

On timing, the DFS guide states that, generally, 4-point inspection reports should be dated within 30 days prior to the insurance application, but that each insurance company determines the accepted timeframe. Do not treat 30 days as a statute. Ask the agent what that carrier will accept.

Citizens states that its specific sample form is not required, but that any other report submitted must include at least that level of detail. Citizens also states that writing agents may not submit applications for properties with electrical, heating, or plumbing systems not in good working order or with existing hazards or deficiencies. That is Citizens' published instruction to its agents. Other carriers set their own rules.

For expert guidance on Jupiter FL luxury real estate, contact Kyle Camerlinck at 561-371-5143.

How this differs from a wind-mitigation inspection

A 4-point inspection and a wind-mitigation inspection answer different underwriting questions. The 4-point is the four systems above. Wind mitigation uses a different form and looks at roof geometry, opening protection, and related wind features. Insurers may ask for one, the other, or both. Do not send a 4-point and assume wind credits were documented.

Order the 4-point only after you know which carrier wants it and which form that carrier will accept.
Use a Florida-licensed professional and put the license number on the report.
Keep the full home inspection on the buyer's due-diligence calendar. See also HOA documents to review before buying, which a 4-point does not replace either.
If the 4-point flags an active leak, open electrical hazard, or HVAC not working as intended, treat that as an insurance problem and a contract problem — not only a repair bid.

FAQ

What does a Florida 4-point inspection cover?

The Florida Department of Financial Services Insurance Consumer Advocate guide, developed with InterNACHI, states that a 4-point inspection evaluates four systems: Roofing, Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC. It is not a comprehensive home inspection.

Who may complete a 4-point inspection in Florida?

The DFS guide states it must be completed and signed by a verifiable Florida-licensed professional. Examples it lists are a licensed Florida home inspector and a licensed Florida general, residential, or building contractor. Verify a license at myfloridalicense.com.

Is a 4-point the same as a wind-mitigation inspection?

No. A 4-point reviews roofing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC for insurability. Wind-mitigation inspections use a different form and a different purpose. Insurers may ask for both.

How recent does the report need to be?

The DFS guide states that, generally, 4-point inspection reports should be dated within 30 days prior to the insurance application, but each insurance company determines the accepted timeframe.