Are older houses more expensive to insure?

Asked by: Mr. Lewis Koelpin II  |  Last update: January 7, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (8 votes)

Home insurance for older properties tends to be more expensive because: Structures and systems that have seen decades (or even centuries) of wear and tear are more likely to cause problems.

Does the age of the home affect the insurance premiums the most?

The age of your home

If you live in an older home, you may also pay higher home insurance rates. The older the house, the more likely it is that aging materials could lead to damage. Older homes also may not be up to local building codes or current building standards.

Is insurance more expensive on older homes?

A 30-year-old home will cost 75% more to insurance than a new home. Understandably, older homes carry more risk. For example, an older roof may be more prone to leaks which could impact your home's contents.

What is the 80% rule in insurance?

The 80% rule means that an insurance company will pay the replacement cost of damage to a home as long as the owner has purchased coverage equal to at least 80% of the home's total replacement value.

What makes an old home uninsurable?

Insurance companies may charge higher premiums or deem your home to be uninsurable if it's old enough to likely need significant repairs in the future or lacks the structural integrity that's expected with newer building methods.

Is Insurance More Expensive For Older Homes?

27 related questions found

Is it hard to get insurance on an old house?

Many of the defining qualities in older homes also make them riskier to insure, often leading to a higher rate and the need for specialized coverage. If you have an older home, you may still be able to get coverage with a standard homeowners policy.

What happens when a house becomes too old?

Older homes are prone to a variety of foundation and structural problems, such as major cracks or unevenness in the slab or perimeter foundation wall; corrosion, dry rot, or moisture damage in pilings or concrete foundation supports; damaged piers (support footings); and dry rot or moisture damage in above-ground studs ...

What is the 50% rule in insurance?

In California's personal injury cases, the concept of 50/50 liability applies when both parties are equally responsible for an accident or incident. This shared responsibility is also referred to as equal fault or shared fault, and it falls under the broader category of comparative fault.

What percentage of your home's value should be insured?

It's important to insure your home for at least 80% of its replacement cost. Why? Because if you have a loss and your home is insured for less than 80% of its replacement cost, your insurance company may cover less than the full amount of your claim.

How can I lower my homeowners insurance cost?

9 Tips for Lowering Your Homeowners Insurance
  1. Shop around for the best home insurance rates.
  2. Bundle your home and auto policies.
  3. Increase your home insurance deductible.
  4. Improve home security.
  5. Make home improvements.
  6. Review your coverage every year.
  7. Ask about savings.
  8. Consider actual cash value vs. replacement cost.

At what age is insurance most expensive?

Key takeaways. 18-year-old drivers on their own policy pay the highest car insurance premiums out of the age groups Bankrate analyzed. The most significant difference in premiums by gender occurs at age 18. On average, 18-year-old males cost 9 percent less to insure than their female counterparts.

Why are older homes losing insurance coverage?

Insurance companies aren't eager to cover old homes because they're usually not up to the latest building codes and tend to have a lot of unique or old features that can't be easily replaced if the house gets seriously damaged. If your old home is eligible for coverage, you'll likely have a high premium.

What is one way to lower your premiums on your home insurance?

Increase your deductible: Increasing the amount of your homeowners insurance deductible can help you lower your rate overall. Just know that if you make a claim, you'll be responsible for more out-of-pocket. Use our home insurance calculator to determine what your deductible could be.

Is it bad to change home insurance every year?

How often should you change homeowners insurance companies? It's recommended to review and reassess your homeowners insurance policy every one to two years, especially if there's been an increase in your premium or any changes in your policy or personal circumstances that could affect your rates.

What are four or more factors that will increase your homeowners insurance premiums?

The cost of homeowners and tenants insurance depends on a number of factors including:
  • location, age and type of building.
  • use of building (residence and/or commercial)
  • proximity of fire protection services.
  • choice of deductibles.
  • availability of any premium discounts.
  • scope and amount of insurance coverage.

What is the insurance 5% rule?

In each insurance year you can withdraw up to 5% of the premium paid into your policy without a gain happening in that year. An insurance year begins on the anniversary of the date of your policy was taken out and ends on the day before the anniversary in the next year, except in the final insurance year.

What does 50k 100k 50k insurance mean?

For example, if your net worth is $90,000, then a good car insurance policy for you might be structured as $50,000/$100,000/$50,000, giving you $100,000 in total bodily injury coverage per accident. Example:Chris causes an accident that results in $15,000 worth of medical bills for the injured driver.

What is the 48 96 rule for insurance?

If the attending provider, in consultation with the mother, determines that either the mother or the newborn child can be discharged before the 48-hour (or 96-hour) period, the group health plan or health insurance issuer does not have to continue covering the stay for the one ready for discharge.

What state has the highest home insurance rates?

The average cost of homeowners insurance in the U.S. is $2,601 a year for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. Oklahoma is the most expensive state for home insurance, while Hawaii is the cheapest. Home insurance rates vary by state based on things like severe weather and what's included in a standard policy.

Why has homeowners insurance gone up so much?

Climate change, inflation and industry woes have caused premiums to soar nationwide. Homeowners insurance rates rose dramatically between 2023 and 2024, according to a Bankrate analysis of rate data from Quadrant Information Services.

What year is a house too old?

Age is subjective when it comes to houses, but an unwritten rule is that if a home is 50 years or older it's considered “old” and a home built before 1920 is considered “antique.” There are many factors that can contribute to the condition your potential dream home may be in, and thankfully most can be caught during ...

Is it worth to buy a very old house?

Older homes are more likely to need work and redecoration when you move in. Depending on your point of view, this could be a positive, because it means you can put your own stamp on it when you move in, and potentially even add value. Maintenance requirements are likely to be more extensive than with newer homes.

Are older homes harder to sell?

Old houses can be challenging to sell, especially if they need significant repairs or updates. However, many buyers are drawn to the unique charm and character that older homes offer.