Your insurance company sent a renewal notice, or your 4-point inspection came back with "electrical panel not acceptable." If your home has a Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Sylvania, Challenger or fuse panel, you're not alone: these panels are common in South Florida homes built from the 1950s through the 1980s, and many Florida insurers ask for them to be replaced. Here's what's going on and what to do next.
Panels Florida insurers commonly flag
| Panel | Why it gets flagged |
|---|---|
| Federal Pacific (FPE) Stab-Lok | Long-standing concern that the breakers may not trip during an overload or short circuit, which can let wiring overheat. |
| Zinsco | Breakers that can overheat and fuse to the bus bar, so they may not shut off when they should. |
| Sylvania / GTE-Sylvania | Many of these are Zinsco-design panels sold under the Sylvania name after Sylvania acquired Zinsco. Inspectors usually treat them the same way. |
| Challenger (certain 1980s models) | Some Challenger breakers were recalled for overheating; many inspectors flag the brand as a whole. |
| Pushmatic / Bulldog | Very old design with breakers that are hard to find and hard to test. |
| Fuse boxes | Most Florida carriers won't write or renew a policy on a home that still has fuses. |
| Split-bus panels | No single main breaker to shut off the whole house; often noted on 4-point inspections. |
Age matters too. Even a common brand can be flagged when the panel is 30–40 years old, shows rust or scorching, or has double-tapped breakers. South Florida humidity speeds up corrosion inside the panel.
What a 4-point inspection is and why the panel matters
Many Florida insurers ask for a 4-point inspection on older homes, usually 25–30 years or older, before they write or renew a policy. It covers four systems: roof, plumbing, HVAC and electrical. On the electrical side, the inspector records the panel brand and age, the service size (amps), the wiring type, and any hazards they see.
If the report lists one of the panels above, the insurer may decline the policy, cancel at renewal, or give you a deadline to replace the panel. Rules vary by company, so always check with your agent what they need and by when. Live in Fort Lauderdale? See our panel upgrade in Fort Lauderdale page.
How to tell what you have
- Look for the brand on the panel door or on the label inside it: "Federal Pacific," "Stab-Lok," "Zinsco," "Sylvania," "Challenger," "Pushmatic."
- Zinsco and Sylvania breakers often have thin, brightly colored handles. FPE breakers often have red-tipped handles and say "Stab-Lok."
- If you see screw-in fuses instead of breakers, you have a fuse box.
- Not sure? Send us a photo of the closed panel door and label, or we can identify it during a visit.
Please don't remove the panel cover yourself. The parts behind it are energized.
Can I just replace the breakers?
Usually not. With FPE and Zinsco, the concern includes the panel's bus design, not only individual breakers, and insurers typically ask for the whole panel to be replaced. Replacement breakers for these brands are also hard to find, and many are no longer made.
What panel replacement costs in South Florida
A typical panel replacement runs $1,800–$5,000, and a full service replacement with a new utility meter combo panel (100 to 200 amps) runs $2,200–$5,500. All panel and service jobs include labor, materials, and city and utility coordination. See the full breakdown in our panel replacement cost guide or our price list.
The estimate to replace your panel is free Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm. Your exact price is confirmed in writing before any work starts.
What replacement involves
- Evaluation and load calculation to size the new panel. It's often a good time to move from 100A to 200A service.
- Permit filed with your city, or Broward County for unincorporated areas.
- Utility coordination with FPL if the meter or service needs to change.
- Installation, circuit labeling, testing, and optional whole-home surge protection.
- Final inspection by the building department.
Most replacements are done in one to two days once the permit is approved.
What to send your insurance company
After the job, insurers usually want proof the panel was replaced by a licensed contractor. We give you the permit number and the passed final inspection, a written invoice with the new panel's brand and amperage, and photos of the new panel. Many homeowners also order an updated 4-point inspection at that point.
Warning signs, whatever the brand
- Breakers that trip often, or never trip at all
- A warm or buzzing breaker or panel cover
- Rust, scorch marks or a burning smell
- Lights that dim when large appliances start
If you notice heat, burning smells or sparking, call us right away at 754-289-8993. Our emergency line is answered 24/7.
Frequently asked questions
Will my insurance company really cancel my policy over the panel?
It depends on the company. Many Florida insurers decline or won't renew policies on homes with Federal Pacific, Zinsco or fuse panels, while others give a deadline to replace them. Ask your agent what they require and the date they need it by.
Is a Sylvania panel the same as a Zinsco?
Many are. Sylvania acquired Zinsco and kept selling Zinsco-design panels under the Sylvania or GTE-Sylvania name, so inspectors and insurers usually treat them the same way. We can confirm what you have with a photo or a visit.
Can I just replace the breakers instead of the panel?
Usually not. The concern with FPE and Zinsco includes the panel itself, insurers typically ask for full replacement, and compatible breakers are hard to find.
How much does it cost to replace one of these panels?
Typically $1,800 to $5,000 for the panel, or $2,200 to $5,500 if the meter combo and service also need replacing. That includes labor, materials, and city and utility coordination. We confirm the exact price in writing after a free estimate visit (Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm).
How long does it take?
The work itself usually takes one to two days once the permit is approved. If your insurer gave you a deadline, tell us when you call and we'll plan around it.
Do you handle the permit and inspection?
Yes. We pull the permit with your city or Broward County, coordinate with FPL when needed, and schedule the final inspection. You get the permit and inspection record for your insurer.
Note: this guide is general information. Insurance requirements vary by company and policy, so confirm with your agent. Electrical work should be performed by a licensed electrician.
Co-Owner · Xlectrical
Elías Sierra is Co-Owner of Xlectrical in Sunrise, FL, with more than 17 years of electrical experience — including serving as electrical manager at power generation plants and leading installations in the petrochemical, plastics and oil industries. Every Xlectrical guide is written to help South Florida homeowners make safe, informed decisions.
