Stephanie Jaynes

Not long ago, we were looking at a home inspector’s workers’ compensation policy with another insurance carrier. Unknown to that home inspector, their carrier wasn’t familiar with the inspection industry. Despite their lack of know-how, the carrier didn’t want to turn the home inspector away. Instead, the provider sorted the client into the closest group…

Planning for retirement? Interested in another field? Thinking about selling your business? Then you should consider home inspector insurance tail coverage. No matter your reason for making a career shift, it’s important to know how the change could affect your insurance coverage. After all, no one wants an uncovered lawsuit from an old client to…

A home inspector received a call from an inspection client, who complained of settlement issues and a failing foundation. The sprinkler system had been slowly saturating the property’s foundation. So had the lack of downspouts attached to the gutters, which had led to more standing water seeping into the foundation. While the home inspector had…

When one home inspector picked up the phone to hear an angry client yelling on the line, he wasn’t surprised. As a home inspector of 25 years and the owner of a multi-inspector firm, he’d had upset clients before. But there was something different about this call. The client wasn’t accusing them of missing mold…

Let me introduce you to two home inspectors. Both faced mold claims, and both lacked adequate insurance coverage to protect them from the claim but for different reasons. Meet Dirk. Dirk’s client called after their 11-year-old son began experiencing respiratory problems for months after moving into the house. After the inspection, they’d discovered mold, and…

Imagine: Your daughter is getting married. You plan an intimate luncheon for close relatives and friends to celebrate. Your daughter is excited–a bit too excited. As she tells people she’s getting married, she invites them to the party. When the wedding and luncheon day arrives, your small gathering of 30 has turned into a party…

Imagine: While inspecting an upper unit of a luxury apartment complex, you left the tub running and caused water damage to that unit and the several beneath. One of the tenants below was a serious fashion designer, whose entire collection for their upcoming show was ruined. Another tenant was an elderly widow with Alzheimer’s who…

Ten home inspectors walk into a bar. Each of the 10 inspectors works in a different part of the country, all with  different levels of experience and expertise. Hours pass by–the 10 home inspectors enjoying their drinks and chatting about business in their home states. As they’re closing their tabs, a lawyer approaches and hands…

Two home inspectors receive claims for unidentified water intrusion. Both are at fault. And yet, one home inspector pays $1,500 to resolve the issue while another pays $5,000. The difference between the two: their deductibles. As the example above shows us, it isn’t just the cost at renewal (your premium) that matters. You should also…

You probably think you’re good at your job. And, by most standards, you’re probably right. You’re detail oriented and perform thorough inspections. Your reports are useful and demonstrate your technical expertise while communicating information in a way your clients can understand. You know your limitations and are truthful when you don’t know something. You recognize…

It was a warm summer day and a family was gathered together for a party in the backyard of a newly purchased home. As the 15 of them posed for a group photo on the deck, the deck collapsed. Most of the people were injured–some severely. One woman was hospitalized for five days with multiple…