Knob and Tube and Insurance

[Curt Bixel]

I have a duplex built in 1918.  I am considering using it as a short term rental, but am having difficulty finding an insurer who will insure a building with knob and tube wiring.  I had an electrician stop by today to provide an estimate for upgrading the electrical on the side that is vacant, and I am going to proceed with having that done.  (He did say, by the way, that the current wiring actually looks like it is in great shape.)

In any case, I doubt that any insurance company that will not insure a property with knob and tube will likely not care if one of the sides has been updated.  Thus, I doubt I will be able to proceed with the property as a short term rental until I can get the second side upgraded as well.

The electrician said that the process is disruptive enough that I should wait until the other side has vacated before upgrading the electical there.

Does anyone know of any insurance companies that might insure this property for a year until I can get the knob and tube replaced?

I currently have good insurance on the property through State Farm, but they will not do short term rentals.