How a quick and easy home inspection could save you thousands on your homeowners insurance
After Hurricane Katrina, the state launched a Wind Mitigation Discount Program
After Hurricane Katrina, the state launched a Wind Mitigation Discount Program
After Hurricane Katrina, the state launched a Wind Mitigation Discount Program
Bill Hatchett, 81 years strong, is still climbing into attics to inspect every nook and cranny of homes so residents can save money on their home insurance.
Hatchett is a man who’s worn many hats. An aviator, a pyrotechnician, a home inspector, and now runs his own business, W.M.S., Wind Mitigation Surveyors. A home inspection company aimed at identifying homes designed to withstand, or minimize, damage caused by storms.
“So, I’ll do photographs on the outside, showing the shape of the roof. Showing the type of materials that are used. Then I’ll go inside the attic to do basically the same thing, take photographs," Hatchett said. "Then I’ll sit down with the homeowner, and I’ll start filling out the paperwork.”
Sal Genovese was kind enough to show us his home that Hatchett inspected.
Like many of us, his homeowners insurance has skyrocketed.
“We’ve been here 20 years, and it’s probably doubled," Genovese said.
Here is the process of a home inspection. First, the exterior of the home is checked, primarily the roof.
“There’s the two main types of roof structure. A hip roof, where all four sides go down. And then there’s the gable roof, which have triangular-type panels," Hatchett said.
Then, the attic is inspected.
“The other thing I’m looking for is where the rafters come down to the top of the wall. I’d like to know if we’ve got hurricane clips on there," Hatchett said.
After that, the homeowner is contacted with the findings.
“Then I’ll sit down with the homeowner, and I’ll start filling out the forms. One is the citizen’s form, which is a very abbreviated form, only has seven questions on it. Then there’s the generic form, which has 13 questions on it. Lot more questions, lot more details," Hatchett said.
The homeowner and insurance agent will get a copy of the records. After that, the insurance company’s underwriters will determine how much a resident can get in savings.
"It wound up being somewhere in the neighborhood of 18-19 percent. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount," Genovese said.
For a list of home inspectors near you, click here.