Older homes across NH, ME, and MA often carry features standard carriers underwrite cautiously: knob-and-tube wiring, fuse panels instead of breakers, wood or pellet stoves, older plumbing, or a roof that’s original to the house. None of these make a home uninsurable, but they often mean the difference between an automatic standard-market approval and a policy that needs more explanation, an inspection, or a surplus lines market.
Features That Trigger Extra Scrutiny
- Knob-and-tube wiring
- Fuse panels instead of circuit breakers
- Wood or pellet stoves
- Older plumbing (galvanized or polybutylene)
- Original, aging roofs
What Updates Actually Move the Needle
Electrical panel and wiring updates tend to have the biggest impact on standard-market eligibility, followed by roof replacement. Not every home needs every update to be insurable, it depends on the combination of factors.
What a Surplus Lines Policy Looks Like for a Home That Isn’t Being Updated
Coverage built around the home as it exists today, often with an inspection, rather than requiring renovation before coverage is available at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to replace knob-and-tube wiring to get insurance?
Not always, though it narrows standard-market options. Surplus lines markets often insure homes with knob-and-tube wiring as-is.
Does a wood stove increase my homeowners insurance cost?
It can, and some carriers require specific documentation (chimney inspection, clearances) rather than declining outright.
Will an inspection be required for an older home?
Often yes, particularly for electrical, plumbing, and roof condition, regardless of which market the policy is placed in.
