An Unusual Home Insurer Request

Over the summer I received a letter from our home insurance provider. It was titled "Home Inspection Request." We've been here more than a decade, and out of the blue, for reasons not specified, an inspection was desired.

I carefully read the letter. It included this information: "We are requiring a virtual inspection of your home within the next 30 days. For the virtual inspection, we will contact you on your smart phone and walk you through the inspection of your home. You must permit such inspections and cooperate with us during the inspection process."

Hey, I'm happy to allow an inspector to tour the house. In person. But a "virtual" inspection? Sounds foolish. First, how would the insurance company know I was showing them the right house and not a house cheaper to insure?

I have a camera and can take snapshots. But this "virtual tour" means a live-movie presentation. That's beyond my technological skills.

At one point the letter called the inspection a "requirement." It also included this lovely sentence: "If an inspection of your residence is not completed, we may be unable to continue your insurance coverage in the future." That's a warning no homeowner should ignore. For an insurer can always choose not to renew a policy.

So I phoned them up. On our perfectly good telephone that is plugged into the phone jack in the wall.

The insurance rep I was connected to, Maria, tried to be helpful. When I asked if they could send someone in person, she verified they cannot. In-person inspections in our area were halted when Covid started, and it's not known if in-person inspections will resume.

I explained my not possessing a smart phone.

"Do you have any relatives nearby who can film the house for you?"

"No relatives within 250 miles," I answered.

"Can you borrow a neighbor's phone?"

"Even if you mailed me a smartphone, I wouldn't know how to use it. Have never touched one."

I remained courteous and polite. But I wasn't about to bend over backward by buying or borrowing or begging for a piece of technology solely so the insurance company can do its job. Especially when I wouldn't know how to use the darned device (which for some reason users feel the need to replace every few years).

Maria was equally courteous and polite. She never threatened to drop our insurance coverage. In the end, she waived the inspection.

I thanked her and asked what would have happened if I hadn't called.

She replied it's possible our rates would have skyrocketed or our policy canceled. But the waiver meant there would be no consequences for my inability to conduct a "virtual" inspection.

I don't know if she was pulling my leg. If an insurer drops a client for not owning a smart phone, they're losing out on business they'd probably rather keep.

Last week we received the annual home insurance bill. Yes, it's gone up. More than I'd like. By 11%. I attribute that to cost increases over the past year for lumber and other homebuilding and home-repairing supplies. I don't think it has anything to do with our not owning a smart phone.

Lesson for all: When you receive a letter from your insurer, read it in full. Then decide whether and how to act.

And no, you don't need to go out and purchase (and learn how to use) an electronic gizmo solely to make life easier on your insurance company.