Why Insurers Are Rejecting Homeowners in 2025

By Ted Holmes

A lifelong resident of Chappaqua, Ted began his career as a mortgage loan officer over 20 years ago, eventually co-owning The Asset Center, Inc., a mortgage brokerage firm in Armonk, NY.

If you’ve noticed more home sales hitting unexpected snags recently, there’s a good chance insurance issues are to blame. Across the country, homeowners and buyers are facing a new reality: insurance companies are refusing coverage for properties with aging roofs, even when those roofs appear perfectly sound. This troubling trend is delaying closings, derailing deals, and leaving both buyers and sellers scrambling for solutions.

I sat down with Joel Fanjoy, a 15-year insurance veteran at William Raveis Insurance, to understand why this is happening and how to overcome it. What we discovered will change how you approach your next real estate transaction.

Why insurance companies are suddenly saying no. The insurance landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years. Joel explained, “Carriers have been hammered by catastrophic weather events and skyrocketing claim costs. They’re responding by tightening underwriting standards across the board.” The biggest reason is having older roofs. Even if your roof has years left on its warranty, insurers now see any roof over 15 to 20 years as too risky to cover. This leaves many homeowners stuck between paying for premature roof replacements or facing exorbitant insurance premiums.

How to secure coverage when others can’t. The good news is that options still exist for homes with older roofs. “The key,” Joel told me, “is working with an insurance professional who has direct access to multiple carriers and strong underwriter relationships.” His team successfully places coverage for these challenging situations every day by:

• Providing detailed roof condition documentation
• Leveraging relationships with specialty carriers
• Negotiating directly with underwriters for exceptions

What this means for your next transaction. If you’re buying a home, this could impact your ability to get coverage or force you to pay a higher premium. If you’re selling, it could affect your buyer’s ability to close, especially if the roof is over 20 years old. This is where having the right insurance partner makes all the difference.

Joel explained, “We work with over 50 home carriers and 20 flood carriers, but what helps our clients is our direct connection to underwriters. If a roof looks good but doesn’t meet age requirements, I can call the underwriter and often get an exception approved.”

Don’t let insurance issues sabotage your sale. Preparation often makes the difference between a smooth closing and a failed deal. If you’re facing insurance challenges or want to avoid them, reach out today. With the right guidance, even homes with older roofs can secure quality coverage at reasonable rates.

You can reach me, Ted Holmes, at (914) 548-6179 or ted.holmes@raveis.com. For expert help with homeowners insurance, contact Joel Fanjoy at William Raveis Insurance—call his office at 617-430-5861 or his cell at 617-320-5687, or email him at Joel.Fanjoy@raveis.com. Together, we’ll make sure the insurance side of your transaction is clear, simple, and stress-free.