How do they compare side by side?
Swipe the table to see every column.
| Feature | Insurance inspector training | Home inspector training |
|---|---|---|
| Who the report is for | An insurance underwriter. | Usually a home buyer. |
| What you inspect | Homes and businesses. Commercial surveys follow construction, occupancy, protection and exposures (COPE). | The condition of a house and its systems. |
| Example programs | Loss Control Academy, VIITA Inspector Institute, ILCI, Corporate One. | InterNACHI, ASHI, home-inspection schools. |
| Price | Loss Control Academy $127 to $297 per course, or $597 for four. VIITA $99 (VIITA personal lines course page) and $399 (VIITA commercial course page). ILCI $995 (ILCI program page). | InterNACHI All-Access membership $49 a month or $499 a year (InterNACHI membership). Home-inspection school tuition varies by school. |
| Format | Mostly self-paced online. | Online at InterNACHI (InterNACHI education). Schools offer classroom, hands-on and online options. |
| Scope | Commercial P&C, personal lines, workers' comp and inland marine, depending on the school. | Residential home inspection. InterNACHI adds the Florida 4-point (InterNACHI 4-point path) and 1802 wind mitigation (InterNACHI 2026 wind mitigation course) insurance forms. |
| Credential | A certificate of completion from the school. Loss Control Academy's certificate is not a state license. | InterNACHI CPI, optional and free to members after extra requirements (InterNACHI membership). ASHI Certified Inspector requires the National Home Inspector Exam and 250 fee-paid inspections (ASHI certification). |
| Job pathway | Contract or staff work with inspection companies that serve insurers. Loss Control Academy graduates can join the Underwriter Services Association talent pool. Work is not guaranteed. | Often your own home-inspection business. InterNACHI offers member forums, job listings and lead-generation benefits (InterNACHI membership). |
What does an insurance inspector do?
An insurance inspector, also called a loss control surveyor or field inspector, visits a property for an insurance company or an inspection company working for one, and documents what the underwriter needs. On a commercial survey that means construction, occupancy, protection and exposures, plus liability hazards. On a personal lines survey it means the home, its roof and systems, location exposures and liability.
You write what you saw, photograph it, and recommend practical next steps. You are not certifying the building. The field readiness guide shows what a finished survey file looks like.
What does a home inspector do?
A home inspector evaluates a house's condition, usually for a buyer before a purchase, and reports to that client. InterNACHI, ASHI and home-inspection schools are common training paths.
ASHI Certified Inspector is an NCCA-accredited certification that requires passing the National Home Inspector Exam, 250 fee-paid inspections, an ethics and standards of practice agreement, and a review of five inspection reports (ASHI certification).
Is a 4-point or wind mitigation inspection an insurance inspection?
Insurers use the forms, so they overlap with insurance work. InterNACHI's 4-point path asks members to complete its home-inspector certification requirements plus four free courses: Advanced Electrical, Advanced HVAC, Inspecting Water Heater Tanks, and General Roof Inspection (InterNACHI 4-point path). Its 2026 wind mitigation course for the 1802 form is free to members and approved by Florida DBPR for 16 CE hours (InterNACHI 2026 wind mitigation course).
A commercial loss control survey covers a business: its operations, life safety, fire protection and premises liability.
How much does each path cost to start?
Training cost only, as of November 2026. InterNACHI All-Access membership is $49 a month or $499 a year with no contract, and its education is free to members (InterNACHI membership). Home-inspection school tuition varies by school. ASHI certification depends on passing the national exam and completing 250 fee-paid inspections (ASHI certification).
On the insurance side, Loss Control Academy courses are $127 to $297 each, or $597 for all four. VIITA is $99 for personal lines (VIITA personal lines course page) and $399 for commercial (VIITA commercial course page). ILCI lists $995 (ILCI program page). See the full insurance inspector training comparison.
Can a home inspector add insurance inspections?
Yes. VIITA's FAQ speaks directly to home inspectors (VIITA FAQs), and ILCI lists home inspection among the related backgrounds it expects (ILCI program page).
Loss Control Academy's Personal Lines Survey course covers residential insurance surveys. Its Commercial P&C course covers commercial properties.
Do I need a license?
For home inspection, licensing rules vary by state. Check your state's rules before you pick a school.
For insurance inspection, Loss Control Academy's certificate is a certificate of completion and not a state license. The inspection company you work with sets its own requirements and runs its own trainer review.