Safety and Insurance Issues
Will I be able to get insurance with aluminum wiring?
The problem with aluminum wiring is not actually the wire, it’s the connections. The problem came about because the electrical devices such as receptacles, switches, and breakers were compatible with copper but not compatible with aluminum. Unfortunately at that time there was a shortage of copper. Some genius decided that aluminum would work, so here we are today. This is a good article on aluminum wiring.
There are several things that can be done in order to mitigate aluminum wiring:
1) Obviously replace it. This serves two purposes. First, it will help with insurance costs. Secondly, it will help with re-sale.
2) Replace the devices, i.e., receptacles, switches, and breakers. These are the devices that the aluminum is connecting to. Replace them with a device that is compatible with aluminum.
3) Install a transition device that connects to the end of the aluminum wiring and transitions it to copper. There are currently two of these devices on the market. One is called a Copalum connector; the other is called an Alumaconn connector. My experience is that the insurance companies prefer Copalum. We recommend you confer with your insurance company prior to hiring a professional to do the work.
You can find a good article from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission by clicking here.
Who should perform the work?
This work should be done by a licensed Contractor because you will need a letter from the electrician. This letter should state that the aluminum wiring has been mitigated by whatever method was used. It will need to go to your insurance company to prove the work was done properly, showing that the home is now safe.
So, back to the question, can you get insurance with aluminum wiring? The answer is yes if it has been mitigated. However, I would not expect to be able to get the best rates if the aluminum is not removed.
Integrity Home Inspection takes no liability for the information provided. This information is being provided as is, without any warranties or guarantees. Please verify this with your insurance company or associated contractor prior to proceeding.
Information is current as of 2/2/2025