Key facts
- Non-standard describes the home or its history. It does not mean you did something wrong.
- Common triggers are knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, old plumbing, oil heat, an old roof, past claims, vacancy and renovations.
- Specialty coverage usually costs more and may be narrower, but it is often the only option.
- Upgrades with receipts and inspection reports can bring you back to standard insurers.
- Always disclose past claims and the condition of the home. Hiding them can void a claim.
What "non-standard" means
Most insurers prefer homes that are newer, well maintained and lived in by the owner. When a home falls outside that profile, the standard market may decline it, cancel it at renewal or offer coverage only with strict conditions. Specialty insurers accept those risks, usually with different pricing, deductibles or wording. Being non-standard is about the property or its history. It does not mean you did anything wrong.
Homes that often land in the non-standard market
- Older electrical. Knob-and-tube wiring, aluminum branch wiring, fuse panels or a small 60 amp service
- Older plumbing. Galvanized steel, lead or polybutylene pipes
- Heating. Oil furnaces and oil tanks, or wood stoves as a main heat source
- Roof age. Roofs at or near the end of their life
- Claims. A recent water or fire claim, or several small claims
- Vacant homes. Empty after a purchase, an estate or a tenant leaving
- Renovations. Homes being gutted or extended
- Seasonal homes. Cottages and homes without year-round heat or road access
- Unusual construction. Log homes, mobile and manufactured homes, homes with older flat roofs
- Owner situations. Recent purchase at a power of sale, or homes that are partly rented
- Cancelled or declined. Homes whose owners were declined or cancelled by another insurer
What specialty markets look at
Insurers want to know how likely a claim is and how severe it could be. They check the age and condition of major systems, who lives there, whether the home is occupied all year and what maintenance has been done. Good documentation makes a real difference. Useful papers include:
- An Electrical Safety Authority inspection or a licensed electrician's report
- Receipts for plumbing, roof, furnace and panel work
- A recent home inspection report
- Photos of the roof, panel, furnace and water heater
- Proof of when the work was completed and by whom
Coverage choices in the non-standard market
- Named perils, broad or comprehensive. Named perils policies pay only for causes listed in the policy. Broad and comprehensive policies cover more. Non-standard policies often start at the narrower end.
- Replacement cost or actual cash value. Replacement cost pays to rebuild with new materials. Actual cash value subtracts age and wear, so payments are lower on older homes.
- Deductibles. Higher deductibles are common. We help you weigh a lower premium against what you could pay out of pocket.
- Water and sewer backup. Sometimes limited or excluded on older homes.
- Liability. Still available, with limits you can raise, and we talk through umbrella coverage when it makes sense.
Read the exclusions as carefully as the coverages. We highlight them before you buy.
The path back to standard rates
Non-standard is often a stop, not a destination. A typical plan looks like this:
- Place the home safely in the specialty market now
- Fix the issue that caused the decline, such as a panel upgrade or roof replacement
- Keep the receipts and any inspection certificates
- Avoid claims where practical, and never let coverage lapse
- Ask us to re-market the home to standard insurers once the improvements are done
Example scenarios
Standard home insurance and non-standard home insurance
| Comparison | Standard market | Non-standard market |
|---|---|---|
| Typical homes | Newer, updated, owner-occupied | Older, vacant, seasonal, previous claims, under renovation |
| Price | Usually lower | Usually higher |
| Deductibles | Lower options available | Often higher |
| Coverage wording | Broader | May be narrower or named perils |
| Underwriting | Stricter on age and systems | More flexible |
| Path forward | Stay and earn discounts | Improve the home, then re-market |
Questions Ontario clients ask
- Why did my insurer cancel my home insurance?
- Common reasons include the age of the home, the condition of the wiring, plumbing or roof, recent claims, vacancy and a change in how the home is used. Ask your insurer for the reason in writing, then send it to us. It helps us find the right market.
- Can I insure a home with knob-and-tube wiring in Ontario?
- Sometimes. A few insurers accept it with conditions. Many will not. Having the wiring replaced by a licensed electrician and inspected usually widens your options a great deal.
- Is home insurance more expensive if my home is non-standard?
- Usually yes, because specialty insurers take on more risk. The price often comes down once the issue that caused the decline is fixed.
- Can I insure a vacant house?
- Yes, with the right policy. Standard policies limit coverage when a home is empty. Vacant policies fit that situation and come with requirements, such as regular inspections and keeping the heat on.
- Do I have to tell the new insurer about past claims?
- Yes. Insurers see claims history and expect honest answers. Leaving something out can lead to a denied claim or a cancelled policy. We would rather solve the problem than hide it.
- How long will I be in the non-standard market?
- There is no fixed time. Many owners can move back to the standard market after upgrades and a claim-free period. We tell you what to fix first and when to ask us to look again.
Abhishek Bedwal · RIBO Certified Insurance Broker
Abhishek is a Registered Insurance Broker of Ontario (RIBO) licensed across the province, with local expertise across Durham Region, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Brantford and Windsor. Coverage is placed through The Insurance Lab, a division of BrokerUnion, giving clients access to 20+ Canadian insurers so the policy fits the risk — not the other way around.
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