We understand the importance of your home. It's not just a place; it's where your heart resides, your family thrives, and cherished memories are made. Home insurance provides financial protection against unforeseen events like natural disasters, theft, and liability claims. Whether you own or rent your house, condo, or apartment, our coverage is designed to secure your home so you can enjoy every moment without worry.

Home Insurance That Cares

Your home is unique, and so are your insurance needs. We offer customizable home insurance solutions to fit your lifestyle and budget. Whether you own or rent, our policies provide comprehensive protection, giving you the confidence you deserve.

Available Property Insurance Policies and What They Cover

Different industries face unique risks. We offer specialized insurance solutions for businesses in various sectors:

House protected by home insurance

Homeowners Insurance

  • Homeowners policies are for those clients who own their homes.
  • These policies generally provide protection for your dwelling building, including your attached garage and deck, any detached personal structures, such as sheds or detached garages, your personal property, as well as your personal liability.
  • Additional Living Expenses is included with most home insurance policies. This covers temporary housing, meals, and other necessary costs if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss. This can include hotel stays, restaurant meals, and rental costs for temporary housing. ALE ensures you can maintain a normal standard of living while repairs are being made.

Condo Insurance

  • Condominium policies are for those clients who own a condominium, either in a high-rise building, low-rise building, or condominium townhouse.
  • These policies will provide protection for your unit itself, including your floorings, finished, and improvements you have made to the base unit, your personal property, as well as your personal liability.
  • Additional Living Expenses is included with most condo insurance policies. This covers temporary housing, meals, and other necessary costs if your condo becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss. This can include hotel stays, restaurant meals, and rental costs for temporary housing. ALE ensures you can maintain a normal standard of living while repairs are being made
  • These policies also provide protection for assessments that may be levied against you by the condominium corporation.
Condo building insurance
Woman moving holding boxes

Tenant Insurance

  • Tenant policies are for those clients who are renters, either in an apartment building or renting a unit or space in a dwelling or home.
  • These policies will provide protection for your personal property and your personal liability.
  • Additional Living Expenses is included with most tenant insurance policies. This covers temporary housing, meals, and other necessary costs if your unit becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss. This can include hotel stays, restaurant meals, and rental costs for temporary housing. ALE ensures you can maintain a normal standard of living while repairs are being made.

Coverage Options

Packaged Policies Take the Guess Work Out of Your Coverage

Most homeowners, condo, and tenant policies are available in package form which means that the basic coverages you need are already included in the package. Package form types that are available for you include:

Fire & Extended Coverage Form

  • The most basic form of coverage for your home with limit to no additional “frills”.
  • This coverage does not always provide sufficient coverage to meet the requirements of a standard mortgage.
  • Coverage is very limited but the cost for this policy is lower as a result.

Basic/Named Perils Form

  • Provides coverage for only for specific named perils, such as fire, lightning, and explosion.
  • On a home policy, this form would provide coverage for your structure, lower limits for personal property, and your personal liability.
  • Coverage is less limited than the Fire & Extended Coverage form but there are better coverage options available. 

Broad Form

  • On a home policy, this form would provide comprehensive “all risk” coverage for your building, but your personal property would only be covered for specific named perils.
  • On a tenants or condo policy, this form would provide named perils coverage for your personal property.

Comprehensive Form

  • A Comprehensive form is the most purchased and most highly recommend policy form.
  • On a home policy, this form would provide comprehensive “all risk” coverage for your building and personal property
  • On a tenants or condo policy, this form would provide comprehensive “all risk” coverage for your personal property.

Examples of claims that would not be covered:

Wear and Tear/Gradual Deterioration – Items do wear out over time so there is no coverage for this type of loss.

Settling, Expansion, Contraction, Moving, Cracking – When a new house is constructed, it will begin to “settle”. It could be over the course of a couple of years that the house settles, expands or contracts and this could result in some damages to the building. Cracks in ceilings, foundations, or mouldings that were a result of the house settling are not covered by the policy. 

Caused by Seepage or Leaking – Losses due to continuous seepage or leaking are not covered by your policy. These types of losses are considered to be more of a maintenance issue that requires repair rather than a sudden and accidental type of loss.

Caused by Freezing During the Usual Heating Season – Your policy may not provide coverage for freezing if you have been away from your premises more than 4 consecutive days unless you have either arranged for a competent person to enter your dwelling each day you were away to ensure that heating was being maintained or you have shut off the water supply and had drained all the pipes and domestic water containers.

Optional Coverages

Sewer Back-Up Endorsement

This endorsement will provide coverage for damage as a result of water that backs up or overflows from a sewer, drain or sump, subject to your deductible.

Overland Water Endorsement

This endorsement provides coverage for the actual loss or damage caused by overland water including the sudden and accidental backing up or escape of water or sewage from a sewer, sump pump or septic system resulting from overland water provided there is evidence the overland water has also entered the building from an entry point other than the sewer backup itself, subject to your deductible.

Service Line Endorsement

This endorsement provides coverage for the costs of excavation and replacement of your water lines, power, data and communication services lines in the event of damage

Home Equipment Breakdown Endorsement

This endorsement provides coverages against loss of damage to your electronics, appliances, and home systems against unexpected mechanical, electrical or pressure-system breakdowns.

High-Value Item Coverage

You may also want to remember that your policy may contain Special Limits of insurance for certain types of property and/or for certain types of losses. There are options available for you to “Schedule” certain items of value on to your property policy in order to ensure that they would be properly and fully covered in the event of a loss. Items with special limits of insurance for certain types of losses on your property policy are Jewellery, Watches, Gems, Fur Garments and Garments Trimmed with Fur, Bicycles or E-Bikes, or Collectibles.

Factors That Affect Home Insurance Premiums

With home insurance rates rising across Ontario, it’s more important than ever to be proactive about managing your premium. Understanding what influences your home insurance premium can help you make informed decisions about coverage and costs. Key factors include:

  • Location: Homes in areas prone to natural disasters, high crime rates, or far from fire stations may have higher premiums.
  • Age & Condition of Home: Older homes or those with outdated electrical and plumbing systems may cost more to insure due to higher risks of damage.
  • Construction Materials: Homes built with fire-resistant materials may receive lower premiums compared to those with wood framing.
  • Claims History: A history of previous claims on your home or property can increase rates.
  • Policy Deductibles: Opting for a higher deductible typically lowers your premium but increases out-of-pocket costs during a claim.
  • Credit Score: Many property insurance companies use credit score as a factor in their pricing. While this is optional, even with less than ideal credit, you will often see a reduction in premium just by allowing them to run the soft check.

Home Insurance Discounts & Savings Tips

Homeowners can take advantage of various discounts to reduce insurance costs, including:

  1. Multi-Policy Discounts: Bundling home and auto insurance with the same provider can lead to significant savings.
  2. Loyalty Discounts: Some insurers offer discounts for long-term policyholders.
  3. Claims-Free Discounts: Maintaining a history without insurance claims may qualify you for lower rates.
  4. Alarm Systems Discounts: Installing monitored fire and/or burglar alarms can help to reduce your rates.
  5. New Home Discount: Newly constructed homes often receive lower premiums due to reduced risk of structural issues.

What to do in the event of a claim?

If you experience property damage or loss, follow these steps to file a claim:

  1. Ensure Safety First: Before assessing damage, make sure your family is safe and the home is secure.
  2. Document the Damage: Take clear photos and videos of all affected areas and items.
  3. Make Temporary Repairs: Prevent further damage by covering broken windows or leaks, but keep all receipts for reimbursement.
  4. Notify Your Insurance Provider: Report the claim as soon as possible. Call us, your broker, anytime 24/7 to report your claim or visit our website for your insurance companies direct claims reporting line.
  5. Provide Supporting Documentation: Submit receipts, repair estimates, and police reports (if applicable).
  6. Work With the Insurance Adjuster:  Your adjuster should remain in regular contact with you through the course of the claim. We, as your broker, are also here for you to assist. While we can’t settle the claim for you, we can help to ensure that your claim stays on track until your repairs are completed.
  7. Review the Settlement Offer: Ensure the proposed payout covers necessary repairs; if not, you may negotiate.
  8. Complete Repairs: The insurance company will often have preferred contracting vendors they will use or recommend through the claims process. If you want to use your own contractor, please talk to your adjuster to ensure they will approve the estimate for repairs before any work has been started. Be sure to hire a licensed and properly insured contractor to complete your repairs and keep your receipts and invoices.

Tips for a Smooth Claims Process:

  • Keep an updated home inventory list.
  • Review your policy annually to ensure adequate coverage.
  • Address maintenance issues proactively to prevent claim denials.
  • Maintain copies of receipts and warranties for valuable items to expedite claims processing.

Trust Us for Your Homeowners Insurance Needs

Our commitment to your peace of mind extends beyond the policy. We're here to provide expert guidance, ensuring you understand your coverage and can make informed decisions about protecting your home. Trust us to be your partner in safeguarding what matters most.

We're dedicated to simplifying home insurance, ensuring you have the right coverage to secure your home and loved ones. Contact us today to get a quote tailored to your unique needs and discover the peace of mind that comes with our personalized service.

Call us today to speak with an experienced insurance broker.
Request a free quote online and get the coverage you need.
Schedule a consultation to explore your options in detail.

Home Insurance FAQs

Have questions about home insurance? You’re not alone! We’ve heard it all before. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of questions to help you better understand all the ins and outs.

What factors affect my home insurance premium?

Several factors can influence your home insurance premium. These include:

  • Location: The neighbourhood you live in can impact your premium. High-crime areas or regions prone to natural disasters may result in higher rates.
  • Home Characteristics: The age and construction type of your home matter. Older homes or those with riskier building materials might lead to increased premiums.
  • Claims History: If you’ve filed previous claims, especially for high-value losses, it could raise your premium.
  • Coverage Choices: The extent of your coverage and the deductible you select will also affect your premium. Higher coverage limits and lower deductibles often mean higher premiums.

Do I need flood insurance for my home in Ontario?

While basic home insurance policies typically cover common perils like fire and theft, they don’t include flood damage. In Ontario, flood insurance is optional but highly recommended, primarily if your property is located in an area prone to flooding. This coverage ensures that you are financially protected in case of flood-related damages.

Is home insurance mandatory for homeowners in Ontario?

Home insurance is not legally mandatory for homeowners in Ontario. However, most mortgage lenders require you to have home insurance as a condition of your loan agreement. Even if it’s not mandatory, it’s wise to safeguard your investment and provide financial protection for your home and belongings.

How can I save on my home insurance premium?

You can take several steps to lower your home insurance premium:

  • Increase Deductibles: Opt for a higher deductible, meaning you’ll pay more out of pocket in case of a claim but enjoy lower premiums.
  • Bundle Policies: Consider bundling your home and auto insurance with the same provider. Many insurers offer discounts for bundling.
  • Home Safety Measures: Installing security systems, smoke detectors, and other safety features can lead to premium reductions.
  • Review Coverage: Periodically review your coverage needs. If your circumstances change, you may need to adjust your coverage, potentially reducing costs.

What's the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value coverage?

  • Replacement Cost: This type of coverage pays to replace your belongings or repair your home at today’s prices without considering depreciation. It ensures you receive the full cost of replacing your items or rebuilding your home to its previous condition.
  • Actual Cash Value: Actual cash value coverage considers depreciation. In the event of a claim, you’ll receive the current market value of your items, which may be less than what you paid for them. This type of coverage typically results in lower payouts.

What does home insurance cover?

Home insurance typically covers the structure of your home, personal belongings, liability protection, and additional living expenses if your home is temporarily uninhabitable due to a covered event.

How much home insurance do I need?

The amount of home insurance you need depends on the value of your home and belongings, potential liability risks, and any specific requirements from your mortgage lender.

What is the difference between homeowners and renters insurance?

Homeowners insurance covers the structure of the home and personal belongings, while renters insurance covers only personal belongings and liability, not the structure itself.

What’s the difference between market value and replacement cost?

  • Market Value: The amount your home would sell for in the current market, including land value.
  • Replacement Cost: The amount needed to rebuild your home from scratch, regardless of market conditions. Insuring your home based on replacement cost ensures full financial protection in case of total loss.

Can I be dropped by my home insurance provider?

Yes, insurers can cancel policies for reasons such as excessive claims, non-payment, or failure to maintain the property. If dropped, you may need to seek coverage through high-risk insurance providers.

Does home insurance cover home renovations?

Standard home insurance policies may not fully cover renovations. If you’re planning major upgrades, inform your insurer to adjust coverage accordingly. Renovations that improve structural integrity may reduce premiums, while additions increasing home value may require higher coverage limits.

What should I do if my claim is denied?

If your home insurance claim is denied:

  1. Request a Detailed Explanation: Ask for a written reason for denial.
  2. Review Your Policy: Ensure the denial is justified based on coverage details.
  3. Provide Additional Evidence: Submit further documentation or repair estimates.
  4. File an Appeal: Work with your insurer’s dispute resolution process.
  5. Seek Legal Advice: If needed, consult an attorney or insurance ombudsman.

More Home Insurance Insights