[MassHistPres] Insurance for Older Homes w/ Knob & Tube Wiring

[slater at alum.rpi.edu]

> My wife & I are in the process of obtaining homeowner's insurance for
> a home we've purchased that was built in 1900, and which still has
> some knob & tube wiring in the attic & the basement.  In making an
> initial call to an insurance broker about getting a rate quote for a
> policy, I was told that we would not be able to get coverage from any
> of the companies they write policies for because of the fire hazard
> this poses. I'm sure coverage is available for us somewhere, but
> probably at a higher rate due to the greater risk to the insurer.  If
> anyone can offer any information regarding the following, I would be
> most grateful: 
> 
> 1) the names of any insurance companies you know of that will cover
> homes with knob & tube wiring? 2) information from personal experience
> as to how much of a higher rate one would expect to pay for a policy
> on a home that has knob & tube wiring?
> 

I have never been told that a house cannot be insured if there is 
some knob & tube wiring. I'd expect most homes built before the turn 
of the century would have some of this between their walls or 
powering ceiling fixtures.

I use Merrimack Mutual for an insurer for a 1898 house in 
Springfield.

Ralph Slate
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