Is my home insurance going to drop me if I don't replace knob and tube wiring in Bankview within a year?

Many Alberta home insurance companies will indeed cancel or refuse to renew policies with active knob and tube wiring, often giving homeowners 30-90 days notice to replace it or face non-renewal. This isn't just a Bankview issue — it's province-wide as insurers increasingly view knob and tube as an unacceptable fire risk.

Insurance companies have become much stricter about knob and tube wiring over the past decade. Most major insurers in Alberta (including Intact, Aviva, Co-operators, and others) now have policies requiring knob and tube replacement within 30-90 days of discovery, though some may give up to a year for complete rewiring. The exact timeline depends on your specific insurer and policy terms. Some companies won't insure homes with any knob and tube at all, while others may offer coverage at significantly higher premiums with strict replacement deadlines.

Contact your insurance broker or company immediately to understand your specific situation. Get the deadline in writing and ask about any temporary coverage extensions if you're actively working toward replacement. Some insurers will extend deadlines if you can show you've hired a licensed electrician and obtained permits, but this varies by company.

Knob and tube replacement in a typical Bankview home (many are 1940s-1960s bungalows) typically costs $8,000-$18,000 depending on home size, accessibility, and whether you're doing a full rewire or just replacing the knob and tube circuits. The work requires a licensed electrician, electrical permits through the City of Calgary, and multiple inspections. Most Bankview homes also need electrical panel upgrades from 60A or 100A to 200A service, adding $2,000-$4,000 to the project.

This is absolutely not DIY work — electrical work in Alberta must be performed by licensed electricians and inspected by accredited Safety Codes Officers. Attempting DIY electrical work will void your insurance entirely and create serious liability issues. The good news is that modern wiring will likely reduce your insurance premiums and definitely increases your home's value and safety.

Next steps: Call your insurance company today to confirm your deadline, then get quotes from at least three licensed electricians. Most can provide rough estimates over the phone based on your home's age, size, and basement accessibility. Find verified electrical contractors in our Calgary directory to start the process — don't wait until the last minute as electricians book up quickly for full rewiring projects.

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