Can I insure older homes or homes with previous
damage?
You can insure that old house — even with past damage. Here’s the direct plan to make it happen fast.
Can older homes or homes with previous damage get insurance?
Yes. Insurers will underwrite older homes and houses with prior damage, but they look for risk. If you know the triggers and prepare the house, you control the outcome. This guide gives the exact checklist, words to use, and the negotiation leverage to get coverage.
Why some older homes get declined
Insurers decline or charge more when the home has: outdated wiring/plumbing, roof over 20 years, structural damage, mold, or incomplete repairs. These are risk factors that lead to claims. Knowing which items move the needle lets you prioritize fixes that unlock coverage and lower premiums.
What underwriters check — clear checklist
- Roof age and condition
- Electrical system (knob-and-tube, aluminum wiring)
- Plumbing materials (polybutylene, galvanized steel)
- Foundation and structural issues
- Evidence of prior water, fire, or mold damage
- Heating and HVAC condition
- Proper permits for past repairs
A direct three-step plan to get insured
1) Inspect fast: Hire a licensed home inspector and get a concise report. Focus on roof, electrical, plumbing, and structural issues. Cost: low. Impact: high.
2) Prioritize repairs that insurers demand: Replace unsafe wiring, fix leaks, patch foundation issues, and install a modern water shutoff. Get receipts and permits. These are the repairs that reduce declinations.
3) Shop the market smart: Use a broker who knows specialty carriers for older homes and homes with prior damage. Present a neat packet: inspection report, repair receipts, photos, and permits. That packet changes insurer decisions.
Policy types and endorsements to watch
- Replacement cost vs actual cash value: choose replacement cost if you want full rebuild protection. It may cost more but avoids gaps.
- Named perils vs all-risk: all-risk covers more unknowns.
- Sewer backup, mold, and building code upgrade endorsements: buy them if the home had prior issues.
Cost control and negotiation tactics
- Minor repairs often drop premiums more than you expect. Ask insurers for re-quote after key fixes.
- Bundle home and liability insurance or add a higher deductible to lower rates.
- If declined, request a written reason and use it to negotiate with specialty markets.
Why trust this approach
I represent buyers and sellers in insurance-risk conversations every week. I’ve placed coverage on century homes, renovated bungalows, and houses with prior damage by using the inspection-then-prioritize-then-shop method. It works because it replaces uncertainty with documented risk reduction.
Ready to move forward? Send inspection reports and photos. I’ll review them and point you to the right markets.
Contact: Tony Sousa — Local Realtor and Insurance & Risk Advisor
Email: tony@sousasells.ca | Phone: 416-477-2620 | Website: https://www.sousasells.ca
