The Four Points — And Why Windows Are Not One of Them
A 4-point inspection evaluates four systems in your home: the roof, the electrical system, the plumbing system, and the HVAC system. Your windows are not formally one of the four points.
And yet, if you apply for homeowners insurance in Florida — or renew with certain carriers — your windows can determine whether you get coverage at all and what you pay for it.
Here is what South Florida homeowners need to understand in 2026.
What a 4-Point Inspection Actually Evaluates
The 4-point inspection is a condition-of-property document. It tells insurers whether the four core systems are in acceptable condition to insure. A home that fails one or more points may be denied coverage, required to remediate the issue before binding, or offered coverage with significant exclusions.
For most South Florida homes built before 2002, the 4-point inspection is required by carriers before binding a new policy. It is also commonly required at policy renewal for older homes, after ownership changes, and when switching from Citizens to a private carrier.
Where Windows Show Up
Windows enter the 4-point picture primarily through two pathways.
First, the inspector documents the condition of your windows — specifically whether they show signs of water intrusion, seal failure, or structural damage. Cracked frames, broken seals, or windows that do not close and lock properly can trigger a repair requirement from your insurer before coverage binds.
Second, and more impactfully: the 4-point inspection is often ordered alongside or in lieu of a wind mitigation inspection. Carriers who require a 4-point may also ask for your wind mitigation report. That document directly captures your opening protection status — and a home with single-pane aluminum windows that pre-date the Florida Building Code is going to look very different from a home with full-perimeter impact glass.
The 2025 Form Update
Citizens Property Insurance updated their 4-point inspection form in March 2025. The updated form includes additional questions about opening protection and window condition. Inspectors are required to use the current version. If you have a 4-point on file that predates this update and you are in the process of switching carriers or renewing with Citizens, your agent may request a current inspection on the new form.
How Impact Windows Affect Your 4-Point Outcome
Impact windows eliminate the most common window-related concerns that appear on 4-point inspections. They do not have failed seals that compromise the opening. They close and lock securely. They show no signs of water intrusion when properly installed.
More broadly, a home with current impact windows is a materially better insurance risk — and underwriters are increasingly treating it that way when making coverage and pricing decisions.
What to Do If You Have Concerns
If you are unsure how your windows will fare on an upcoming 4-point inspection — or if you received a prior inspection that flagged window issues — contact us. We offer free on-site consultations and can give you an honest assessment of what you have before the inspector arrives.