Buying Home Insurance, As a homeowner, you need to insure your house for replacement costs so that in the event of serious damage or destruction you have adequate coverage. Be sure to keep your home insurance current by reporting material changes or upgrades.
Your Insurance
Insurance brokers work with a number of companies, while agents represent a single insurer. These insurance professionals can help you determine applicable coverage, premiums and discounts as well as your personal property insurance requirements. Learn how to buy insurance.
If your home is not properly insured, you may not have enough insurance to replace it or your contents in the event of serious damage. Most homeowner’s policies cover contents up to a specified percentage of the total insured value of the home. Learn how home insurance premiums are calculated.
What Is Covered
Coverage can vary from one insurer to the next, so it’s important to select a policy that suits your specific needs. Home insurance covers the dwelling, contents and personal liability of you (the policyholder), your spouse or partner, and your children. The policy also covers:
Dependents under the age of 18
Dependents who are students enrolled and actually attending a school, college or university and living in the household or temporarily living away from the insured principal residence
If you share your home with a friend or relative, or rent out part of your residence, you must notify your insurance representative.
Home insurance also includes coverage for additional living expenses in the event that you are temporarily unable to live in your home due to an insured loss in certain circumstances.
Bricks, Mortar and So Much More (Buying Home Insurance)
Home ownership is one of the largest financial investment decisions Canadians make. Your home may be your biggest source of equity. No matter how well built, your home is vulnerable to fire, vandalism and other types of damage and destruction.
Unlike auto insurance, home insurance is not mandatory by law. However, most banks or mortgage holders will insist that you purchase home insurance – and show proof that you have home insurance – before they’ll lend you money to buy a home. They will ask to be named as the mortgage holder on your policy.
It’s your responsibility to report any changes to your property. Contact your insurance professional before you :
- Renovate your home
- Installing a pool or spa
- Setting up a home-based business, such as a daycare
- Leasing all or a portion of your property
- Purchasing jewellery or art.
Keeping your insurance company informed with an accurate and up-to-date description of your home and contents can help speed up the claims settlement process after a loss.
4 Tips for Insuring Your Home and Contents
If you can’t afford to replace absolutely everything you own after an unforeseen event, you need home insurance. Consider these tips.
- Insure for rebuilding costs.
- With severe weather on the rise, confirm accurate replacement value.
- Review your home inventory each year when you renew your policy.
- For high-value jewellery or fine art, consider a separate endorsement.
Even a partial loss – such as from a break-in, theft of multiple possessions and related damage – can potentially cause financial hardship. Home insurance protects you from having to pay all at once to replace what was lost at what is often an emotionally difficult time.
