60, 100, or 200 Amps? An Older Home’s Electrical Capacity Can Stall Your Home Insurance
Many older homes still run 60-amp service, and some insurers surcharge or even decline it. Before you buy an older home, take a look at the panel
Is 60-amp service enough, and will it affect my home insurance?
It’s often not enough for a modern home, and yes, it can affect insurance. According to the Canadian Electrical Code, residential service must be at least 100 amps for homes with living space of 80 square metres or more (excluding the basement), while smaller homes may be at least 60 amps. In practice, many older homes still run 60-amp service that struggles with modern A/C, ovens and EV chargers; as a result, some insurers require an upgrade to 100 amps to provide coverage, or heavily surcharge or decline it. New homes are now commonly 100 or 200 amps.
Sources: Canadian Electrical Code (minimum residential service capacity); Electrical Safety Authority (ESA); Canadian insurance and inspection industry material on underwriting 60-amp service. Reviewed June/July 2026.
When I show older homes, I always open the panel cover for a look — not because I’m an electrician, but because electrical capacity and panel type directly affect whether you can get insurance and whether the home will handle your loads. Buyers focus on kitchen counters and floors and overlook the unassuming metal box in the basement. Old 60-amp service and old fuse boxes are classic things that blow up right before closing. Here’s the difference between 60/100/200 amps, why it affects insurance, how to identify it, and how to handle it before a sale.
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Understand capacity: what 60 / 100 / 200 amps mean
⚠️60-amp service can leave you uninsurable. Some insurers require an upgrade to 100 amps to provide coverage, or surcharge/decline otherwise — which can affect financing. On older homes, always confirm the insurer’s service requirements during your offer’s condition period.
Why it affects insurance — the trap buyers fall into
Not just capacity: panel type and wiring matter too
ℹ️Always do an electrical upgrade with an ESA permit and inspection. Unpermitted work carries safety and compliance risk and yields no certificate that insurers or buyers will accept. Keep the ESA certificate after upgrading — it’s the most useful piece of paper you’ll have.
How an upgrade works: licensed electrician + ESA permit
What buyers and sellers should each do
The Ontario Selling Blueprint →Ontario Mortgage Guide →Ontario Home Inspection Guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a home with 60-amp service?
You can, but confirm insurance first. Some insurers require an upgrade to 100 amps to cover it, or surcharge/decline otherwise, which can affect financing. Ask insurers during the condition period and fold upgrade cost into your offer.
Does a fuse box have to be replaced?
An old fuse box isn’t necessarily illegal, but insurers often treat it as a high-risk signal and may require an ESA inspection or an upgrade to a breaker panel. Whether to replace depends on insurer requirements and the panel’s condition — have a licensed electrician assess.
What’s the minimum amperage for a home?
According to the Canadian Electrical Code, homes with 80 square metres or more of living space (excluding the basement) need at least 100 amps; smaller homes may be at least 60. In practice, 100 amps is the common minimum for a modern household.
What’s involved in an electrical upgrade?
It must be done by a licensed electrician with an ESA permit and inspection, sometimes with a utility connection. Cost varies widely — get an on-site quote and keep the ESA certificate for insurance and resale.
Discover more from GTA Real Estate Broker | Arthur Zhao
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