Checks before insuring houses (5)
I believe the answer is:
reins
'checks' is the definition.
(reining is a kind of checking)
'before insuring houses' is the wordplay.
'houses' indicates a hidden word (part of the clue houses the answer).
'REINS' can be found hidden inside 'before insuring'.
(Other definitions for reins that I've seen before include "Means of checking" , "Checks" , "water regulators?" , "Bridle straps" , "Rider's straps" .)