Insurance for Properties w/ Knob & Tube Wiring

[Nelson Taylor]

Knob & tube is the first generation of wiring and still prevalent in Providence, RI, where I live, work and invest.  Are there any companies that currently write policies for multi-family investment properties with knob & tube wiring?  Rewiring these big houses often kills a proforma.  Many landlords I know just don't tell their insurance companies they have any in their buildings to get the lower rates.  Way too much risk for me.  Is there some sort of umbrella policy that could cover something like this?

[Patricia Steiner]

My recommendation is to replace the breaker box; it's a cheap date compared to replacing the wiring - and rewiring will not increase the value of the property.  I would call a few commercial property inspection companies and ask which insurers in your area will accept which box with your wiring. I had no problem getting insurance with that wiring because of the upgraded breaker box - which the insurance company's inspector certified.