Survey errors

Survey errors are measurement inaccuracies that occur during property surveys, which can affect insurance coverage determinations. Surveyors may misidentify boundary lines, as seen in 12% of residential survey reviews by the American Land Title Association (ALTA).

Incorrect placement of easements or encroachments, such as a fence built three feet over a lot line, often leads to title disputes and claim denials, as detailed by YourInsurance.info. Omitted structures like sheds or pools from site plans can result in underinsured assets; for example, 7% of claims involve unlisted outbuildings according to Insurance Information Institute data.

Clerical mistakes–such as transposed numbers in legal descriptions–cause mismatched records between insurers and county deeds offices. Outdated surveys fail to reflect recent improvements or demolitions, with 15% of policyholders reporting discrepancies after renovations per National Association of Realtors (NAR) findings.

Inaccurate flood zone mapping on surveys may cause homeowners to lack required flood insurance; FEMA reports 5% of mapped properties have erroneous designations each year. Misreported acreage impacts premium calculations directly since land value influences replacement cost formulas used by carriers like State Farm and Allstate.

Failure to disclose shared driveways or access roads frequently triggers liability exclusions if an accident occurs on undivided property portions.