Ontario insurers underwrite older homes on four questions: how old is the roof, what is the wiring, what is the plumbing, and what is the heating system. If the answers are unknown or unfavourable, you get a higher premium, a coverage restriction, a deadline to complete updates, or a declined application. An insurance inspection answers all four with documentation.
When you need one
Buying a home built before roughly 1970. Switching carriers on an older property. Renewing after a claim. Insuring a home with a wood-burning appliance, in which case a WETT inspection is usually required alongside. Or simply being told by a broker that they need the four-point before they can quote.
What we document
Roof: material, approximate age, remaining life, and condition of flashings and penetrations. Electrical: service size, panel make and condition, branch wiring type, presence of knob-and-tube or aluminum, and grounding. Plumbing: supply material — copper, PEX, galvanized, poly-B — drain material, water heater age and condition. Heating: type, age, fuel, venting and condition, plus the presence of any oil tank and its age and location.
The awkward conversations we have upfront
Poly-B supply piping, a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panel, active knob-and-tube, a 60-amp service, or an above-ground oil tank past its service life will all cause an insurer to react. Better to find out during your conditional period than on the day before closing when the binder falls through.
What is included
- Roof age, material, condition and estimated remaining service life
- Electrical service size, panel assessment and branch wiring identification
- Plumbing supply and drain materials, water heater age and condition
- Heating system type, age, venting, and oil tank documentation where present
- Photo documentation of every component, formatted for underwriting
- A same-day PDF you can forward to your broker
Why this matters in Ottawa
Ottawa's pre-1970 stock is enormous, and so is the number of deals that get complicated late because nobody asked the insurance question early. If you are buying an older home here, ask your broker what they need before your condition period expires, then book this.