Understanding a Property Inspection Report

The Parts of a Field Report

Report formats vary by client, but most contain the same building blocks: property identification, date and conditions of the inspection, a photo set, measurements or diagrams, and written observations tied to specific areas of the property.

• Risk or property identification and address verification
• Exterior elevations, typically all four sides
• Roof documentation by slope where access is safe
• Interior photographs of reported or observed damage
• Measurements, sketches, or diagrams
• Written observations describing conditions found

How Photographs Are Labeled

Useful photo sets move from wide to close: an overview establishing the area, a mid-range photograph showing the location on the structure, and a close-up showing the condition itself. Labeling ties each photograph to a slope, elevation, room, or unit so a reviewer who has never seen the property can follow it.

Observations Are Not Coverage Decisions

A field report documents what was observed on the date of inspection. It does not decide whether a loss is covered, what a settlement should be, or how repairs should be performed. Those determinations belong to the carrier or the client that issued the assignment.