Ontario Home Insurance Broker
Home Insurance in Ontario
Protecting your home is pretty important. It’s your biggest investment and it’s your home — whether that’s just the place you live or something more special. We believe in making insurance as easy as it can be. That’s why we have the best Ontario home insurance brokers and use technology to make dealing with insurance more convenient for you.
We don’t offer average home insurance in Ontario — we offer the best. We work with several different insurance companies to get you the best coverage for the best price. Our Ontario home insurance quotes are competitive — see for yourself by filling out our online form.
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What Does Home Insurance Cover?
In Ontario, your home insurance coverage will depend on your insurer and your choices when you buy your policy. Here are the standard coverages:
Property damage
Helps you rebuild or repair your home and outbuildings like sheds, fences and decks if they’re damaged by a covered peril. This will also help you replace your belongings, including furniture, clothing, appliances and more.
Personal liability
If someone gets hurt or has their stuff damaged because of your unintentional actions or while visiting your home, this coverage will help with damages and legal expenses if you’re sued.
Additional living expenses
If you’re forced to leave your home because of a mandatory evacuation or a covered claim, this will help you cover the additional costs of accommodation, food and transportation.
Many policies also include provisions for lock replacement if you’re a victim of theft, frozen food replacement if a covered claim spoils it and help if you suffer identity theft.
Work with an Ontario home insurance broker to determine the full extent of your coverage needs. You may be a homeowner that needs basic coverage, or you may benefit from an enhanced protection insurance policy.
Is Home Insurance Mandatory in Ontario?
Having insurance on your house is not required by law in Ontario. However, if your home is mortgaged, your lender will require you to have home insurance. You will need to have a comprehensive level of coverage and provide proof. Additionally, if you can’t afford to rebuild your home and replace all your belongings, you won’t want to pay out of pocket for your Ontario-based home insurance.
Below is a list of reasons why you need home insurance in Ontario:
- It’s required by your mortgage lender.
- You can’t afford to rebuild your home or replace all your belongings on your own.
- You can’t afford lawyer fees if sued.
- You will need additional support (e.g., additional living expenses) after a disaster.
- You want to worry less about the what ifs.
Depending on your specific policy, your coverage may include all or some of the above insured perils. You may also customize your insurance further with the addition of homeowner’s insurance endorsements. Read below for some popular endorsements.
What Perils Are Covered by Ontario Homeowners’ Insurance?
What is covered under your home insurance policy will depend on your insurer and your choices when you plan your policy. Here are the most covered perils (or causes of damage):
- Fire
- Smoke
- Explosion
- Lightning
- Electrical current
- Wind
- Hail
- Weight of snow (causing a roof collapse)
- Falling object
- Impact by vehicle or aircraft
- Riot, vandalism, theft and other malicious acts
- Certain types of water damage (usually caused by plumbing or appliances)
- Sewer backup*
- Overland water (flooding)*
- Earthquakes and landslides*
* Purchased separately. Certain Ontario insurers include this coverage type in a comprehensive home insurance package.
Ontario Home Insurance Coverage Options
You have a lot of options when it comes to your home insurance in Ontario.
First, you have your coverage options. This includes the number and type of perils you want protection from. Insurance companies offer different levels of coverage. These are:
Next, you’ll need to decide what additional coverages you want:
Keep in mind that some of these are included as part of a comprehensive package provided by some insurance companies in Ontario.
What Isn’t covered by an Ontario House Insurance Policy?
There are a few things that won’t be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy in Ontario, including:
- Wear and tear
- Mould
- Damage caused by insects, vermin and animals
- Water damage from frozen plumbing (in certain situations)
- Any damage caused by illegal activities by the homeowner
- War or terrorism
- Nuclear incidents
- If your home is left vacant for more than 30 days in a row, you won’t have any protection if your home is damaged
If you don’t have add-on protection for earthquakes and landslides, sewer backup or flooding, you won’t be covered under your home insurance policy.
Exactly what’s covered will depend on your home insurance policy and your insurer. It’s important to work with an Ontario home insurance broker to ensure you’ve got the protection you need and understand exactly what’s covered and what isn’t.
Loss Settlement Options for Home Insurance in Ontario
The loss settlement determines the amount you’ll receive if your home or belongings are destroyed. There are three options available:
- Actual cash value: This is the market price or purchase price minus depreciation.
- Replacement cost: This is the cost to replace the item as it is.
- Agreed value: This is an agreed value for an item or building. This isn’t commonly used for home insurance but may be relevant if you’re insuring jewellery, a classic car or a heritage home.
Ontario Home Insurance Policy Limits
A policy limit is the maximum amount you’ll receive if you have a covered claim. Different areas of your policy may have different limits — your personal belongings or contents limit can be different than your home or dwelling’s limit, for example.
You have a few options when choosing your policy limits. You want to choose a limit that will fully cover replacing your stuff and rebuilding your home, but that isn’t too high so you’re paying for coverage you don’t need.
An Ontario home insurance broker can help you choose the right policy limits for your needs and budget.
Your Homeowners Insurance Deductible
You’ll also need to choose your deductible amount when you buy a new homeowners insurance policy in Ontario. This is the amount you’ll pay if you have a covered claim. Deductibles range from $500 to $5,000. The higher your deductible, the more you’ll pay out-of-pocket if you have a claim, but the lower your premiums will be.
The best deductible is the highest amount you can afford to cover out-of-pocket.
Some insurance companies offer a disappearing deductible, which reduces the deductible over time if you’re claims-free. It’s like a loyalty reward!
Submitting a Homeowners Insurance Claim in Ontario
We’re here to help if you need to submit a home insurance claim. You can submit via our app or web portal and we’re also available by phone. You can also submit a claim directly through your insurance company — there will be a claims number on your policy documents or on their website.
Once you’re in touch, we’ll guide you through what happens next.
You’ll also want to document the damage. Include pictures and video, if possible. If there’s a police report, you should also get a copy. You’ll need to make a complete list of all damaged, destroyed or stolen belongings (having a home inventory can help here).
A claims adjuster from the insurance company will be in touch. They investigate the loss and will interview you. Once this is complete, your insurance company will offer a settlement (usually to repair, replace or reimburse). If repairs are in order, you should see if you can use a contractor of your choice. Keep in mind that only the work done by the insurer’s recommended contractors will be guaranteed but you may prefer your own contractors.
We are here to help throughout this whole process. We can answer any questions you have, advise on your next steps and advocate for you to your insurer.
Did you know?
Where you buy your home is one of the top factors that impacts your home insurance rates. Do your homework on the claim and crime rates before you move into a neighborhood.
Did you know?
Where you buy your home is one of the top factors that impacts your home insurance rates. Do your homework on the claim and crime rates before you move into a neighborhood.
Get the Right Home Insurance Coverage in Ontario
Getting the right home insurance coverage in Ontario is the perfect mix of protection and price.
Ontario Home Insurance FAQ’s
Have questions about your home insurance in Ontario? Sharp offers innovative solutions for homeowners’ insurance in Ontario and we’re here to answer all your questions. See our FAQs answered for your convenience below.
If you’ve been labelled as high-risk by Ontario insurance companies, this means you have:
- Been cancelled for non-payment
- Had a high number of claims
- A rural property
- An older or heritage home without upgrades to the electrical or plumbing systems
- An empty home
- Multiple mortgages
Being high risk does not mean you can’t get home insurance in Ontario — it just means it may be harder to find the right coverage. You may also have less coverage, higher premiums and/or less choice with your payments.
We can help you protect your home — request an Ontario home insurance quote online and we’ll find you the best coverage at the best price that’s available.
How much coverage you need for your home insurance in Ontario will depend on your personal preferences — or your mortgage lender’s requirements if that’s a factor.
We recommend an all-risk or comprehensive policy with limits that properly protect you without you having to pay for more than what you need.
Working with one of our Ontario homeowner’s insurance brokers means you’ll have someone who understands the ins and outs of insurance on your side. They can help you determine your insurance needs, find you the best coverage for the best price and answer all your questions.
These terms all refer to the same thing: insurance protection for the home you live in.
Home insurance is the general term for all types of personal property insurance in Ontario, including coverage for homes, condominiums, apartments, owners and renters. Homeowners insurance is sometimes used to differentiate homeowners from renters. House insurance is used for — you guessed it — houses to separate them from condominiums, apartments and other types of buildings.
There are ways to get cheaper home insurance in Ontario, for example:
- Bundle your insurance policies with one insurer
- Raise your deductible
- Shop around and get home insurance quotes from different insurers
- Install security devices like a burglar alarm
- Install a loss mitigation device like a sump pump
- Upgrade your roof, exterior finish, heating, plumbing or electrical
- Ask about discounts
- Review your insurance yearly
The best way to save on your Ontario homeowners insurance is to work with a broker. They can take care of the price shopping for you and ensure you’re getting the discounts you’re entitled to.
The Cost of Home Insurance in Ontario
The cost of home insurance varies depending on the individual home and person. There are so many factors that influence price, giving estimates just isn’t accurate without knowing the exact home you’re looking to insure. A farmhouse in rural Ontario is going to have a very different insurance cost than an inner-city home with a high crime rate or a family home in a safe suburb.
Here are some factors that impact the price of home insurance in Ontario:
- Your insurance and claims history
- Your credit rating
- Your home’s construction (materials and type)
- The size of your home
- How much would it cost to rebuild your home?
- The age and type of your home’s roof, plumbing, heating and electrical systems
- If you have a pool, trampoline or other risk
- If you have security or loss mitigation devices installed (like burglar alarms and sump pumps)
- If you rent out a room or suite in your home
- How close the nearest fire station and fire hydrant are
- The claim rate of your area
- The crime rate of your area
- The frequency and severity of natural disasters
- How close are you to risks like rivers?
- Which discounts are you eligible for?
- Your policy options, including loss settlement, policy limits, deductible and coverages
This means that two homes side-by-side could have totally different home insurance premiums.
Best Home Insurance Companies in Ontario
As an independent brokerage, Sharp Insurance works with the best insurance companies in Ontario. We have access to many markets, which means you get competitive Ontario home insurance quotes as well as the best service in the industry.
We’re always growing the number of insurance companies we work with, but here are a few:
- Intact
- Wawanesa
- Economical
- SGI
Work with the Best Ontario Home Insurance Brokers
Sharp Insurance is an independent digital insurance brokerage — one of the best in Ontario! We use technology to make insurance easier and have awesome staff that know their stuff and offer great customer service.
As a Sharp customer, you have access to an app and web portal that gives you the freedom to manage your insurance whenever and wherever it’s convenient for you. You can download or print your pink cards, review your coverage, submit a claim, request a change and more. It works on computers, tablets and smartphones. No more waiting on hold!
Because we’re independent, we work for you, not an insurance company. In fact, we have access to a lot of different insurers in Ontario. That means we can get you competitive home insurance quotes and get you the best protection for the best price.
Contact us today to get your no-obligation free home insurance quote.
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