There have been several recent discussions (discussions? that's putting it mildly!) on several blogs about whether or not home inspectors should "traverse" roofs and whether or not a home inspector can do a good, thorough home inspection without "traversing" the roof.

As I see it, the home inspection industry seems to be split almost evenly about whether or not to "traverse" the roof. I was a roofing contractor in Texas for 13 years, so the skill to "traverse" roofs has never been an issue with me. Rather, my issue has been with my oldest, highest face value, highest cash value life insurance policy.

I worked in life insurance back in the early 1980s, and this policy is dated August 23, 1973. I got this policy specifically to provide for my wise old grandmother should something happen to me while I was off at college at Texas A&M University. After all, she had adopted me -- a juvenile delinquent to the max -- when she was 55, when she had every right to live out her life in peace rather than trying to make a productive citizen out of her juvenile delinquent second-oldest grandson.

Because of the value of this policy, I make sure that whatever I do, professionally or otherwise, passes muster with the insurance company. I have many, many signed and dated statements from their representatives approving me working as a roofing contractor, a Realtor, a plumber, and many more. I also have statements disapproving bungee jumping, skydiving, airplane pilot, and racing.

The recent public discussions on ActiveRain about this situation resulted in an insurance broker contacting me today about possibly cashing out my old policy and getting a new policy. He offered to analyze my old policy and see if he could get a new policy for a similar premium. There apparently are lots of options in the insurance industry to cover situations like mine, and since he is located right here in San Diego, he thinks he can come up with something that will protect me, my family, and my assets should something happen. I could even get something like a 10-year term life policy that would cover me only during hours of work but not if something happened in a traffic accident on the way to On The Border.

So, I'll be meeting with him this coming Tuesday to see what insurance options I might have in today's world.

The power of ActiveRain comes through again. Thank you, ActiveRain. And special thanks to my adversaries who have been on my tail for eight years now about this old insurance policy and how it affects my home inspections. Fortunately, it has not affect the quality of my home inspections, as seen through the eyes of my many thousands of Clients. Nonetheless, you just might see me "traversing" roofs sometime soon!

*****

My most recent 20 posts (they'll open in a new window)

1. This should settle it, maybe - 3/7/09
2. Living in a country that allows peaceful protests - 3/5/09
3. Adding value to your home with user guides and installation manuals - 3/4/09
4. WWW (Wordless Wednesday with Words): Look! Up in the sky! - 3/4/09
5. Interesting plant from a recent home inspection - 3/3/09
6. We have the best communications system in the world, and I love using it - 3/3/09
7. Would you live in this house in earthquake country? - 3/2/09
8. Do you need an inspector who will walk on the roof? - 3/1/09
9. Speechless Sunday: Don't look if you have ophidiophobia - 3/1/09
10. The bottom's gone! San Diego home prices are on their way up! - 2/28/09
11. Come cruise with me through ActiveRain blog posts - 2/27/09
12. Yelp! Sharpen up your business practices and your bedside manners because this is where we're at - 2/26/09
13. Is this a compliment? - 2/25/09
14. Seven question pop quiz - 2/24/09 (Try it; you'll have fun!)
15. Not recommended, but if you have to, here's how - 2/23/09
16. Highs, lows, uppers, downers.... - 2/23/09
17. Some things aren't meant to be reused - 2/22/09
18. I carry lots of insurance - 2/21/09
19. The water won't flow if you build a dam.... - 2/21/09
20. Just slip a piece of paper in there.... - 2/21/09