TL;DR
- Lemonade’s self-inspections help us make sure that we have the most up-to-date information about your home, so that you have the right protection
- You’ll use the Lemonade app to snap a few photos around your home. The whole process takes about 10 minutes
Since we launched, Lemonade has always been about harnessing tech to make insurance fairer, simpler, faster, and more user-friendly.
None of it would be possible without our data—we use thousands of times more than traditional insurers—which enables us to better understand our customers, assess risk, and provide people with the coverage they need.
Case in point: Before your Homeowners policy is up for renewal, we may reach out requesting that you snap a few pictures inside and around the exterior of your house so we can confirm that our data about your property is up-to-date and make sure that you’ve got the right protection.
If you decide to go the self-inspection route, here’s what you should know.
How it works
Several weeks before your policy is set to renew, we’ll reach out via email, SMS, and (if you’ve got the Lemonade app installed) push notification with all the info you need to get started.
If you don’t have the Lemonade app, you’ll need to install it to start your self-inspection. If you already have it, make sure the app is updated. From there, it’s a quick and straightforward process. Once you’re in the app, we’ll guide you through the roughly 10-minute process.
You’ll start inside, where we’ll ask for photos of your kitchen and bathrooms to verify your home’s construction materials and condition. These are key data points in making sure you’ve got enough reconstruction cost coverage to rebuild your home if it’s a total loss.
We’ll also ask for a few photos of your water heater, including the manufacturer label, to confirm its age and/or condition.
If your home was built before 1970, we may ask for some details about your electrical and plumbing systems to confirm that they’re consistent with our underwriting guidelines.
You’ll end the self-inspection with a few minutes in the great outdoors, where we’ll ask for photos of the front, back, and sides of your home, along with some shots showing your roof.
Protected inside and out
Chances are that this will be the first time an insurance company has given you the chance to conduct a self-inspection of your home.
If you already have an inspection report or want to schedule an inspection, that’s perfectly fine. Don’t want to have someone come in to inspect your house and prefer to DIY? Self-inspection it is!
Without the vital info provided by an inspection report or your self-inspection, you may wind up underinsured, where you’re not adequately covered and are left vulnerable to potentially massive out-of-pocket costs. Or, you may be overinsured, a situation in which you’re paying for coverage you don’t need.
We understand that your home is much more than just a physical dwelling. It’s where you create memories, find comfort, and build your future. By providing us with a glimpse into your home, you’re taking an active role in ensuring that your homeowners insurance policy aligns perfectly with your needs.
Safeguarding your most valuable asset, and your privacy
Beyond its sentimental value, chances are that your home is your biggest financial asset—which is why we want you to feel confident and informed about your homeowners insurance.
You should also rest assured that the photos you provide through your self-inspection will be treated with the utmost care and privacy. We’re only using your photos for your renewal review.
Next steps after your self-inspection
After you’ve completed your self-inspection, we’ll review your photos and be in touch with you about your homeowners insurance renewal. Our team may ask a few follow-up questions. For example, we may reach out asking you to confirm a few details we have on file about your home. Learn more in our guide about the kinds of property details we verify to ensure that your home has the right protection.
Self-inspection FAQs
Am I required to complete the self-inspection?
If we reach out asking for a self-inspection, you’ll need to complete it to be eligible for renewal. After you complete it, our team will verify whether your home meets our underwriting guidelines.
Alternatively, you can send us a third-party professional home inspection report from the past two years.
How long does it take?
You can complete the entire self-inspection process in about 10 minutes.
I’ve been with Lemonade for years. Why are you asking for this now?
Insurance companies regularly update their underwriting guidelines, and making sure that we’ve got the most up-to-date data about your home is one of the most important ways that we verify whether your property still meets those guidelines.
Why do you need this information so far in advance of my renewal?
Gathering details well before your renewal date allows us to make a decision and provide you with ample notice about whether your policy will be renewed.
Can I stop and save my progress?
While the self-inspection takes only a few minutes, we understand that life can be hectic and you can’t always get everything done in one go. Your progress is saved after you complete the interior journey, and your exterior inspection.
Should you stop in the middle of the interior inspection—after you’ve photographed your kitchen and bathroom, but before you’ve snapped your water heater, for example—you’d need to start the inspection over once you log back into the app. But if you finish everything inside, you’ll be able to pause the inspection and pick back up with the exterior journey later—just make sure you don’t forget to resume the inspection!
Do I need to install the Lemonade app?
Yes, the entire self-inspection journey is through our app.
What happens next?
Once you’ve submitted the pictures, our team will review your self-inspection ASAP. We’ll reach out if we need any more info before we make a decision on renewing your policy.
