Roofing is a big ticket item when it comes to home insurance and the insurability of a specific property. If the roof on the home is not in working condition, often times carriers will not insure them, and the client could be stuck with expensive, lender-placed coverage. Also, if a roof is over 15 years old, the number of carriers that will fully insure the roof becomes limited.
Atlas Chalet Shingles
This has become less of an issue as time goes by since many roofs have been replaced at this point, but it still comes up. If you are aware of the home having atlas chalet shingles, it is important to get an insurance expert involved immediately, as only a very specific list of carriers will insure a home with this shingle type.
Existing home damage
If the home is damaged in any way at all, the home is in most cases uninsurable as carriers only take complete, functioning risks.
vicious dogs on premises
Here at Gibson, we love all types of furry friends, but insurers will put breeds like Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Dobermans, etc. in this category. It is not always a deal-breaker with carriers if a client has an animal in this category on premises, but we always need to know about all dogs and bite history on the premises in order to fit the client and their furry friends to the correct carrier.
polybutylene piping
Polybutylene piping over the years has proven to be troublesome, and almost a "ticking time bomb" in the home when it comes to water damage from leaking/bursting pipes. Because insurance covers sudden and accidental damage from occurrences like this, most carriers will not insure a home with this type of piping in the plumbing system because of the frequency that polybutylene plumbing fails.
unfenced pools
If a home has a pool that does not have a fence around it, carriers will require that a fence with a locked gate be installed around the pool to avoid potential liability cases. If a client is purchasing in this scenario, prepare them that they will be required to install a fence in order to be insured.
