That is not entirely true for some companies. I am currently switching homeowners policies (for my MIL) as the one we got last year decided that they no longer cover homes with less that a 150AMP service. Hers is 100AMPS. The new policy has a charge for Inspection Fee. I pay that up front, along with an Application Fee.
Those up front fees you were charged sound like an agency fee and not a carrier fee. Those vary by state. We are not allowed to charge agency fees (that would go straight in our agency pocket) unless we apply and get SC DOI approval. For example, some agencies charge a payment processing fee if you pay your monthly premium in person at their office.
If they are carrier fees- most of those are labeled "fees" to avoid paying us commission. We don't get paid commission on the monthly bill fees or general policy fees since that money is not considered "premium."
I guess it depends on how you look at it. If they weren't doing those exterior inspections would your premium be lower or the same?