QUESTIONS / ANSWERS
Insurance Panel Replacement FAQ
Everything California Property Owners Need to Know About Insurance-Driven Electrical Panel Upgrades
If you own a multi-unit apartment building in Southern California, there’s a growing chance your insurance company will ask you to replace your electrical panel — or they may even refuse to renew your policy until it’s done.
This page answers the most common questions we get from property owners facing this situation. It’s based on real projects we’ve completed in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, and it’s meant to give you straight, practical answers — no jargon.
Many older panels — especially Zinsco, Federal Pacific Electric (FPE), and Stab-Lok breaker systems — have a track record of electrical failures and fire hazards. These panels can fail to trip when overloaded, causing wires to overheat or arc. Because of the documented risks, many insurers now refuse to cover properties with them.
The three most common are:
Zinsco
Federal Pacific Electric (FPE)
Stab-Lok breakers
Some carriers also flag other outdated brands or panels with corrosion, modifications, or clear code violations.
In a multifamily property, a flagged panel can affect every unit in the building. A cancellation or non-renewal doesn’t just create a paperwork problem — it can:
Put you out of compliance with your mortgage lender’s insurance requirements
Increase premiums for the entire building
Expose you to legal risk if an electrical issue causes damage or injury
If your insurer has issued a notice, ignoring it can lead to a cancellation or refusal to renew. You may be forced into a high-risk, high-premium policy — if you can find coverage at all. This can also impact refinancing or selling the property.
While results vary, many property owners avoid significant premium hikes by upgrading. Some carriers will even offer better rates once the panel meets current safety standards. The bigger win is avoiding a forced policy change or costly emergency replacement.
It depends on the size of the building and number of panels. A single main service panel replacement can be done in a day. Larger projects involving multiple units often take multiple day or weeks with careful planning. We coordinate with the utility and tenants to keep downtime to a minimum.
Yes. We take care of the entire process — permits, coordination with the building department, utility shut-offs, and final inspections. You’ll get complete documentation to show your insurance company that the upgrade was done correctly and meets current code.
Absolutely. We specialize in bulk multi-unit panel upgrades, which can lower per-unit costs and shorten project timelines. This is especially helpful for apartment owners trying to meet an insurer’s deadline.
Contact a licensed electrical contractor who’s experienced with insurance-driven upgrades. We’ll inspect your existing panel, confirm if it’s on the insurer’s “do not insure” list, and give you a clear, written proposal with timelines, costs, and permitting details.
Need Help Now?
We’ve upgraded dozens of panels in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange County to help owners keep their insurance coverage and bring their buildings up to modern safety standards.
📞 Call Branover Contractors, Inc. at 323-467-6661 to get started.
Give Us A Chance To Prove It!
“Used Branover Contractors to rewire my house and install recessed fixtures throughout the house. Passed inspection smoothly. They were very reliable, pleasant, and knowledgeable. Would recommend them.”
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Benefits & What we do?
Weather your project is big or small, we can handle it!
We treat your property and project as if it were our own and make sure it is done properly and safely.
We work diligently to complete your project in a timely manner.
