Services
Testimonials
Privacy Policy
Our Inspectors
View Contract
Your Report
Career Info
REALTORS
Library
FAQ's
Links

National
Certificate Holder
Click to Verify
 

top

What's going on?

• Some property and casualty insurers are refusing to insure, or renew policies on residential properties with aluminium wiring.
• Aluminium wiring is not necessarily problematic in itself so long as it was properly installed and maintained.
• The Ontario Electrical Safety Code does not impose a legal requirement to upgrade or replace aluminum wiring. 

Is there aluminum wiring in the house?

How to find out.  It is estimated that there are over 450,000 homes in Canada wired with aluminum.  How do you find out what type of wiring has been installed in a home?  Well, if you weren’t told, you can probably check the wiring yourself.  This can be done by looking at the electrical wiring between the open floor joists in the basement, in the attic, or at the service panel.  If the wiring is aluminum, the outer covering of the cable will be marked with the word ALUMINUM or an abbreviation, at least every 12 inches.

If you find that the wiring installed for lights and wall plugs is aluminium, it is recommended that “CO/ALR” devices be used for replacement of switches and receptacles.  Devices other than switches and receptacles, which are suitable for use with aluminium wire, will bear the marking CU-AL.

Aluminum wiring is safe if properly installed.   

In 1977 the Government of Ontario established a Commission of Inquiry on the use of aluminium wiring in the home.  Following a thorough investigation, which included hearings and testimonies conducted over a period of 18 months, the Commission recommended that aluminium wiring should continue to be authorized for residential use.

The Good News

Thankfully, for homeowners who are faced with uncertainty obtaining insurance on homes with aluminium wiring, savvy brokers such as Guardsman Insurance Services in Kingston, Ontario can take on new business, regardless of the type of wiring in the home.  If a home inspection has been completed, and there are no visible defects or deficiencies related to the electrical system, Guardsman can write a policy with no discrimination against aluminium wiring.

Insurance coverage at regular rates is also available for “knob & tube” wiring, provided the homeowner undertakes to upgrade the accessible portions of the wiring within the first month of occupancy.

Guardsman Insurance has offices throughout eastern Ontario.  For more information or to apply for coverage in the Kingston, Belleville, Trenton Region, call (613) 549-8777 or 1-800-881-2371.  Ask for Tom Watson.  Tell him Gil sent you!

You can also visit their website at:  www.guardsmaninsurance.com

Home Insurance
“Brokers turn away new business.”
The Toronto Star – June 17th, 2003

Heavy losses in the auto insurance industry are spilling over into the home insurance market, making it difficult for consumers trying to buy or renew policies, industry experts say.

Stephanie Lewis, a Toronto insurance broker, said she’s receiving increasingly desperate calls from homeowners either denied coverage or whose policies are not being renewed.

“Home Insurance, if there’s claims or if there’s anything wrong with the home…  or it’s an older home, there’s really issues.  They really don’t want the business and they just make it tougher and tougher,” Lewis said.

“The insurance industry in Ontario is in the worst disaster I’ve ever seen.”


What's it gonna cost?

Estimates given are “ballpark” only, for a typical three-bedroom home, including labor and materials.

Top of Page
Realtor Newsletters
Go to "Realtors"
Go to "Homes A-Z"

[ Home ] [ Up ]