We are no stranger to this call from customers. From HOA boards to landlords to homeowners receiving letters from their insurance carrier: coverage is being dropped or not renewed because of the electrical panel. And no homeowner, this is not just a single-family home issue.
This isn’t a scare tactic on our part, it’s something we’re seeing happen across San Diego County, and it’s worth understanding.
What’s Happening
Zinsco and Federal Pacific panels, common in properties built before the 1980s, have a well-documented issue: their breakers can fail to trip during an overload, which is the exact failure the breaker is supposed to prevent. Insurance carriers have started factoring this into underwriting decisions, and in some cases are declining to renew policies on properties where these panels are still in place, whether it’s a single-family home, a rental, or a shared community building.
Will Insurance Cover a Zinsco or Federal Pacific Panel?
In most cases, no, not once a carrier identifies one of these panels during an inspection or renewal review. We’re not an insurance company, so exact timelines vary by carrier, but many give homeowners a window to replace the panel before coverage lapses. Others decline to renew outright. Policies vary by carrier, so the only way to know where you stand is to ask your insurance company directly, but this pattern is becoming common enough across San Diego County that it’s worth checking before you’re the one holding the letter.
Is This a Recall?
No. There’s no formal recall on Zinsco or Federal Pacific panels. This is a risk assessment carriers are making based on documented failure patterns, not a government mandate. That distinction matters, but the practical result for anyone facing a non-renewal letter is the same either way.
A Note for Landlords and HOA Boards
If you’re responsible for a multi-unit property or a shared community, an aging panel doesn’t just affect one household, it’s the electrical backbone for everyone living there. It’s worth checking sooner rather than later, especially before a tenant turnover, an insurance renewal, or a lender-required inspection brings it to the surface.
What We’d Tell a Friend
If you’ve gotten a letter like this, or you’re not sure what panel you have, it’s worth finding out before it becomes a problem at renewal time. We can take a look at your panel, tell you honestly whether it’s a concern, and walk you through what an upgrade would involve if it is.
C10 LIC# 674638.