Can you insure an older or century home in Ontario?
Yes. Older and heritage homes are fully insurable in Ontario, but they usually need a specialty insurer rather than a standard one. The features that make a home "older" — knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, an aging roof, galvanized or lead plumbing, wood heat, or an older electrical panel — are what trigger declines. A broker with the right markets matches the home to an insurer that underwrites these features, often with a plan to update the highest-risk items over time.
Why do older homes get declined?
Standard insurers price for "average" housing stock, so anything that raises fire or water risk falls outside their appetite: knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring (fire risk), an older roof (water claims), galvanized/lead plumbing (leaks), a 60-amp or fuse panel, and wood-burning heat. None of these makes a home uninsurable — they just move it to an insurer who prices for it.
What updates make an older home easier to insure?
The highest-impact updates are usually: replacing knob-and-tube wiring, upgrading the electrical panel to 100+ amps, a newer roof, and updated plumbing. If you've done any of these, tell your broker — documented updates open more markets and lower premium. If you haven't, we can still place the home and set a timeline to update the items that matter most.
Does wood heat make my home uninsurable?
No. Wood stoves and fireplaces are insurable with an insurer comfortable with them, usually subject to a WETT inspection confirming safe installation. We know which carriers accept wood heat and how to document it so it's a non-issue.
FAQ
My home has knob-and-tube — can you insure it? Yes, through specialty markets that accept it, often with a plan to update it over time. Will an older home cost more to insure? It can, because the risk is higher, but the biggest lever is being placed with the right insurer rather than overpaying at the wrong one. Do I need an inspection? Sometimes — for wood heat (WETT) or to confirm updates. We'll tell you upfront what a given market needs.