An Umbrella for a Rainy Day

In the nearly 20 years InspectorPro has been handling claims, we’ve gathered that more than 80% of them are meritless or exaggerated.

While there’s always something to learn and do better, inspectors frequently get blamed for defects they didn’t and couldn’t identify, either due to concealment, inaccessibility, or other barriers.

So what’s an ASHI inspector to do? One option is to turn to InspectorPro Insurance with the ASHI Advantage.

What is the ASHI Advantage?

In 2020, ASHI and InspectorPro developed the ASHI Advantage—a home inspector insurance program exclusive to ASHI members with coverage benefits not otherwise available in the marketplace. Since its launch the program has helped ASHI inspectors across the nation receive better coverage for less cash.

Let’s explore four of the ways the ASHI Advantage is helping your peers—and how it can help you.

1. The New Inspector

With the ASHI Advantage, purchasing insurance as a brand-new home inspector is more affordable and approachable.

New home inspectors are eligible to receive $250 off their first year. Additionally, our brokers walk new inspectors through purchasing insurance for the first time so they feel confident and understand what they’re buying.

“I am a new home inspector, and InspectorPro helped me throughout the entire process of getting insured. My broker was willing to give me six different quotes, which was more work for her. She was willing to talk through different items with me and explain things to me when I was unsure,” said ASHI inspector Andrew Reynolds of Reynolds Home Inspections.

But financial savings and quality service aren’t just reserved for home inspectors in their first year. All ASHI members receive a premium credit and unparalleled support each year.

2. The Growing Inspector

Imagine watching people steal equipment from your inspection vehicle in real time. That’s how one ASHI inspector discovered that his equipment had been stolen—including his $7,000 sewer scope camera.

Inspection tools are expensive. When they get damaged, lost, or stolen, it can take a toll on your business—especially if they cost you inspections. Thankfully, the ASHI inspector in this story had equipment coverage, or inland marine insurance.

When you purchase $10,000 in equipment coverage with the ASHI Advantage, we’ll automatically double your limits of liability to $20,000 at no extra charge. That means you can protect more of your tools without paying an additional premium.

3. The Retiring Inspector

Earlier this year, we got a phone call from an ASHI inspector who had cancer and was shutting down his business.

We expressed our condolences and transitioned his coverage to a “tail” policy, which provides coverage for past inspections after retirement. Our team continued to stay in touch as his illness progressed, sending comfort items to his home and expressing sadness when he passed away.

It’s tough to consider leaving the business due to retirement, disability, or death. But just as claims can come unexpectedly, so can career changes and health challenges.

With the ASHI Advantage, you’re eligible for five free years of post-retirement coverage if:

1. You’re insured with InspectorPro for three or more consecutive policy periods (36 months).

2. You write to us no later than 60 days after your policy’s expiration or cancellation that you want tail coverage.

3. You’re not subject to any disciplinary proceedings regarding your inspection services.

This benefit also applies if a member becomes disabled or passes away.

Knowing you have insurance coverage not just while you’re inspecting but also after can give you and your family additional peace of mind.

4. The Maximizing Inspector

If you’re a maximizer, it isn’t enough for InspectorPro to give you the coverage your state requires and move on. You want more.

As it happens, more is exactly what we do. Here’s how our insurance stands a cut above the rest.

We’ve got expertise.

Before switching to us, one home inspector carried insurance with a large provider that also covered his home and auto. The broker couldn’t answer most of his insurance questions. When he faced a claim, the inspector’s policy didn’t even cover all his inspection services. The inspector felt like he wasted money on insurance that didn’t meet his needs.

This inspector called us for a quote and immediately noticed a difference. Whether he was speaking to a broker or an account manager, they understood his field. They knew about his state’s insurance requirements. They recommended options based on his risk tolerance and business goals. Best of all, our knowledge gave him confidence.

He made the switch.

Our pre-claims assistance squashes claims.

Lots of insurance providers say they offer pre-claims assistance. But what comes with that service? How often can you use it? And does it actually work?

Here at InspectorPro, our pre-claims assistance helps you respond to upset clients to prevent claims, or demands for money. Our pre-claims team will collaborate with you to pinpoint solutions for de-escalation, then provide you tools for shutting down the complaint. They’ll even give you tips and resources to prevent future criticisms from that same client.

This assistance comes with most of our insurance policies at no additional cost. And using it does not affect your premium at renewal. Plus, it successfully stifles 85% of complaints before they turn into claims.

“Pre-claims assistance makes me feel a lot more comfortable getting issues solved or, better yet, making them go away,” said Scott Frey of PRC-Home Inspections.

Our pre-inspection agreements are proven to succeed.

Your pre-inspection agreement is your first line of defense against claims. But does your current contract have what it needs to effectively defend you?

In 2022, we released our model pre-inspection agreements. Built on nearly two decades of experience defending inspectors, we incorporated learnings from claims, case law, and legislation. Our agreements have provisions proven to work in the courtroom and are customized for each state’s specific rules and regulations.

The best part? Our model agreements come free with every policy.

We reward inspectors with deductible discounts.

When you receive a claim, your carrier charges you a deductible, or an agreed-upon charge per claim.

Most deductibles are thousands of dollars, and some insurers require them upfront. That can be a significant financial burden.

At InspectorPro, we help inspectors save on their deductibles in these ways:

• If your claim closes for less than your deductible, we’ll charge you the lesser amount.
• We’ll take $1,000 off your deductible for using our model pre-inspection agreement.
• If you use pre-claims assistance and still get a claim, we’ll give you up to 50% off your deductible.
• If you get a claim after five consecutive years of no claims, we’ll give you up to a 50% deductible discount.

Combine more than one of the discounts above, and you can pay as little as $0 on your deductible.

Don’t wait for a rainy day.

Now that you know all of the benefits, don’t delay in signing up for the ASHI Advantage.

Insurance is the protection you need for unexpected mistakes and allegations. By securing coverage now, you’ll have peace of mind and protection when you need it.

Visit InspectorPro.com and apply now.

The Managing Risk column with InspectorPro Insurance provides home inspectors with tips to protect their businesses against insurance claims, craft effective pre-inspection agree-ments, offer additional inspection services, and use new tools and equipment.

Opinions or statements of authors are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of ASHI, its agents, or editors. Always check with your local govern-mental agency and independently verify for accuracy, completeness, and reliability.