Can I get insurance for older homes?
Can you insure an older home in Georgetown — and sell it without the buyer getting blocked by insurance? Read this first.
Quick, honest answer
Yes. You can get insurance for older homes in Georgetown, ON. But not automatically. Insurers look for risk. If an older house shows low risk or you fix the few high-risk items quickly, you’ll get coverage. If you list a house with visible hazards (old wiring, rotten roof, blocked drains), buyers may struggle to get insurance and a sale can fail.
This guide tells home sellers exactly what insurers want, what costs to expect, and the fast, practical steps that win coverage — so you close the deal faster and for more money.
Why older homes trigger questions from insurers
Insurers underwrite risk. Older homes often have features that raise risk: decade-old wiring (or knob-and-tube), cast-iron drains, aging roofs, original heating systems, outdated plumbing, or past water damage. Insurers don’t hate older houses — they want proof those risks are controlled.
For sellers in Georgetown, ON, local factors matter too: freeze-thaw cycles, older neighborhood sewer systems, and proximity to the Credit River or flood zones can increase scrutiny.
What insurers check — and what you can fix fast
Insurers typically check:
- Electrical system: knob-and-tube, aluminum wiring, old fuse panels. These raise rates or trigger refusal. Rewiring or getting an electrical certificate fixes this.
- Plumbing and drains: cast-iron or galvanized pipes and a history of backups. Replacing key runs or documenting recent repairs helps.
- Roof age and condition: older roofs with missing shingles or leaks are red flags. A roof under 15 years is easier to insure.
- Heating and hot water: original furnaces or boilers that are near the end of life are risky. Service records or replacement helps.
- Foundation and structure: visible cracks, rot, or rising damp. A structural report or targeted repairs is evidence of safety.
- Claims history: frequent past claims increase premiums or reduce options.
Local inspectors and trades in Georgetown can produce the certificates insurers want. That’s cheaper than losing a sale.
Fast steps to get an older home insurance-ready (for sellers)
Use this checklist. It’s what I tell every seller who wants a clean, fast closing.
- Order a pre-listing home inspection. Identify the big-ticket insurance problems early.
- Prioritize electrical and roof issues. Replacing problem wiring and repairing or replacing the roof pay off quickly.
- Get repair receipts and invoices. Insurers like documentation.
- Get single-item certificates: electrical safety certificate, HVAC service record, recent plumbing work report.
- Address water-risk details: install or service sump pumps, clear eavestroughs, confirm grading away from foundation.
- Consider a sewer backup endorsement — cheap and often required in older neighbourhoods.
- Work with a broker who places older homes. They know carriers that welcome heritage and older properties.
Do these and you turn an “uninsurable” listing into an insured one — often in days or weeks, not months.
How upgrades affect sale price and time on market
Fix the insurance triggers and your house sells faster. Buyers and lenders want certainty. If the house is insurable, you remove a major negotiation lever buyers use to push down price.
Smart upgrades with high ROI for insurance and resale:
- Replace knob-and-tube or get a partial rewire and certificate.
- Install modern smoke detectors and CO alarms.
- Repair or replace the roof.
- Service or replace an ancient furnace.
- Fix active leaks and remove mold.
You don’t need every system brand-new. You need evidence that major risks are controlled.
Real options if full repairs aren’t possible
Not every seller can do a full rewire or roof replacement. Here are alternatives buyers and lenders accept:
- Insurance riders and endorsements: some carriers offer limited coverage or higher deductibles for known risks.
- Conditional offers: an insurer agrees after an engineering or electrical report and a timeline for repairs.
- Price adjustment with documented issues: disclose clearly and price accordingly; some buyers will take on the work.
- Specialized insurers: niche carriers focus on older or heritage homes.
A local broker in Georgetown will tell you which path fits your house and timeline.
Pricing and premiums — what to expect
Premiums for older homes vary. Expect higher premiums when risk elements exist, but not all older homes cost more to insure. Condition, upgrades, replacement value, and claims history matter more than age alone.
If you fix the major issues, you’ll narrow the market of insurers and often lower the premium. If you don’t, you’ll limit buyers and may see offers drop.
How to present an older home to win insurance quickly
When you list, make the insurance story obvious:
- Add a “home insurance ready” section to your listing description with dates and receipts for key repairs.
- Upload inspection summary, safety certificates, and appliance service records to your listing package.
- Tell buyers and brokers which local insurers have already accepted the home (if any).
- Offer a short warranty or a credit for insurance-related fixes — buyers love certainty.
This reduces buyer anxiety and speeds mortgage approvals.
Why local expertise matters in Georgetown, ON
Insurance rules and carrier appetites vary by region. Georgetown sellers benefit when their realtor knows local insurers, common local issues (sewer backup risk, freeze damage, etc.), and trusted trades. That’s how you move a property from “difficult to insure” to “bankable.”
I work with local brokers and trades to assemble a pre-listing insurance package that placates underwriters — that’s the difference between a stalled sale and a clean, on-time closing.
Step-by-step action plan for sellers — 30 days to insurance-ready
Day 1–3: Order a pre-listing inspection.
Day 4–10: Fix top 2-3 insurance triggers (electrical, roof, active leaks).
Day 11–15: Collect all repair invoices and safety certificates.
Day 16–20: Share documents with a broker experienced in older homes.
Day 21–30: List with insurance-ready bullets in the ad and offer buyers insurance information upfront.
Follow this and buyers will see certainty. Buyers pay for certainty.
Contact for local help
If you’re selling an older home in Georgetown and want a fast checklist and local insurance contacts, reach out. We’ll connect you with a broker who understands older homes and the trades that produce the certificates insurers need.
Contact: Tony Sousa — tony@sousasells.ca | 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca
FAQ — Insuring older homes in Georgetown, ON
Q: Can I insure a 100‑year‑old house in Georgetown?
A: Yes. Age alone is not disqualifying. Insurers care about condition, replacement cost, and documented safety. A few targeted repairs and the right broker get it insured.
Q: Is knob-and-tube wiring automatically uninsurable?
A: Not always. Many insurers won’t accept active knob-and-tube. Some will with restrictions or higher premiums if you provide a recent electrical inspection or partial rewire. Best move: replace or get an electrical safety certificate.
Q: Do heritage or designated properties face special rules?
A: Heritage designation can limit repairs but doesn’t prevent insurance. Specialized insurers and brokers work with heritage rules. You may need approvals for upgrades, but documentation and a maintenance plan help.
Q: What’s a sewer backup endorsement and do I need it?
A: It’s an addition to homeowners insurance that covers damage from sewer backups. In older neighbourhoods like parts of Georgetown, it’s often recommended and sometimes required by lenders.
Q: What if I can’t afford major repairs before selling?
A: Options: disclose and price accordingly, get conditional coverage, or work with a broker who places higher-risk older homes. You can also offer credits or an insurance escrow to give buyers certainty.
Q: How long does it take to get insured?
A: After addressing major items and gathering documentation, many homes get placed in a week or two. Complex cases take longer.
Q: Where can I find insurers who cover older homes in Georgetown?
A: Talk to local brokers. They have carrier lists and relationships. You can also ask for referrals from your realtor — they regularly place older properties.
Q: Will insurance requirements affect my sale price?
A: They can. Addressing insurance issues before listing usually preserves sale price and shortens time on market. Leaving issues unresolved can reduce offers.
Q: Should I include insurance-ready information in the listing?
A: Absolutely. It reduces buyer friction and speeds mortgage approval.
Q: Can a buyer get insurance if seller refuses to fix issues?
A: Sometimes. Buyers may find carriers willing to insure with higher premiums or endorsements. But many lenders require standard coverage as a condition of the mortgage.
Insuring an older home in Georgetown is solvable. The difference between a stalled sale and a smooth closing is preparation and the right local contacts. If you want a direct plan tailored to your house, reach out: tony@sousasells.ca | 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca
