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Written By Taras Trofimov

Updated

Home insurance in Ontario

If you own a home in Ontario, you’re not required by law to have insurance. However, most lenders won’t provide a mortgage unless coverage is in place. As a result, most homeowners have it.

Protecting what is likely your largest asset has both financial and emotional benefits. In the event of a covered peril, you’ll be compensated. With that comes some peace of mind. An additional benefit that some overlook is that most home insurance policies also include liability protection. This means that if someone is injured on your property, you will be protected financially.

Climate change and rising damage costs

If neither benefit persuades you, consider the practical reality of home ownership. Homes in Canada are increasingly impacted by damage from severe weather events linked to climate change. The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reports that in 2023, insured damage for severe weather in the country hit $3.1 billion. In addition to the record-breaking wave of wildfires that year, Ontario also had to contend with severe summer storms, which cost the province $340 million in insured damage. Furthermore, a spring ice storm that hit both Ontario and Quebec earlier that year cost the two provinces $330 million in insured damage.

When looking at the catastrophic losses from 1983 to 2022, as recorded in the 2023 IBC Fact Book, a clear pattern can be spotted – that insurance losses have risen dramatically over the last three decades, both in Ontario and Canada at large.

For instance, from 1983 to 2000, average catastrophic losses in Canada amounted to $440 million per year (loss and adjusted expenses in 2022 dollars). Between 2011 and 2020, those losses rose to the average of $2.3 billion. In 2020 alone, Ontario had to deal with flooding, windstorms and winter storms on two occasions. First, in January, which cost Greater Toronto, Kitchener, Innisfil, New Hamburg and Montérégie, Quebec, $110 million in damages. And later, in November, which cost southern and central Ontario, including Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Niagara region, Lake Erie shoreline, Muskoka region and Lake Ontario shoreline, $108 million in damages. In 2022, Ottawa, Greater Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo as well as Outaouais, Lanaudiere and Laurentides in Quebec lost $1.3 billion in damages due windstorms and other catastrophic events.

Higher home insurance premiums

This means that the protection afforded to you by home insurance won’t come cheap. In Q4 2023, for instance, all provinces experienced an increase in premium rate change year over year, with British Columbia seeing the highest rate increase of all – at 11.1%. Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces fared a little better, with rate changes of 0.7%, 8.3%, 2.5% and 9.1%, respectively. Even so, Ontario sits on the higher end of this spectrum.

So, what can you do as a homeowner? Your best bet is to be more discerning. When shopping for insurance, avoid buying the coverage you don't need. Here, we outline some of the important details you should consider when choosing coverage that’s right for you and your home.


Types of home insurance in Ontario

Home insurance usually comes in four different flavours, depending on the amount of coverage you’d like to get – or in some cases, allowed to get (as your home may not be safe enough to warrant standard coverage).

These are the coverage types you’re likely to encounter:

  • Named perils: Also known as ‘basic,’ this one protects both your dwelling (the building itself) and its contents, but only against the perils listed on the policy. For instance, if the policy lists water damage, but not sewer backup, then the latter will not be covered. Though this is the cheapest coverage you can buy, it’s not recommended for most homebuyers due to how limited it can be.
  • Broad form: This coverage is more comprehensive than the basic one, as it protects your dwelling against all perils – except for a handful of exceptions listed on the policy. Your possessions, however, are protected against named perils only, just like they would be under the basic policy. In other words, your dwelling gets full protection, while your possessions get limited protection.
  • Comprehensive: Otherwise known as ‘all perils’ insurance, this one protects both your dwelling and possessions against all conceivable perils – aside from a few exceptions listed on the policy. This is the best and most expensive coverage you can buy. In most cases, it should be sufficient – though you can always expand your coverage through add-ons.
  • No-frills: This is the most bare-bones coverage you can buy and is not recommended for most homeowners, as it usually only protects your property against a handful of perils (usually fire and nothing else). This coverage is meant for old or damaged homes that are too risky to insure under normal circumstances. Given that such homes are often unlivable, homebuyers typically use no-frills insurance to temporarily protect the home until it is made more insurable.

Home insurance coverage

  • Property and building: This coverage protects both the structure(s) on your property, as well as the property itself, from a variety of perils. Protected incidents include fire, theft and water damage, among others. Because some policies may require additional coverage for secondary structures, like a garage or guest house, consult your insurer if anything is unclear.
  • Contents and personal property: Contents and personal property coverage protects your possessions, such as furniture, clothing and sports equipment, against theft and vandalism. Some items, like fine art and expensive jewelry, may not be protected under a standard policy. Excluded items can be protected with additional coverage.
  • Additional living expenses: If you’re temporarily displaced by an insurable event, this protection covers your temporary housing costs. For example, if damage to your home forces you to spend a week at a hotel, additional living expenses protection will cover the cost of the room and food, up to a certain amount.

Liability coverage

  • Personal liability: This coverage provides protection against liability in the event someone is accidentally injured on your property.
  • Voluntary medical payments: If you unintentionally injure someone, or someone accidentally injures themselves on your property, this coverage will pay for the medical expenses for up to one year from the date of the accident.
  • Voluntary property damage: This coverage is for unintentional direct loss or damage you cause to someone’s property. It also covers unintentional loss or damage to someone else’s property by a minor (12 years or under) in your care.

Add-ons to home insurance coverage in Ontario

Beyond the standard components of an Ontario home insurance policy, there are additional coverages you can purchase to further protect your home and the contents within.

These are some of the most common home insurance add-ons, also known as riders, that you can add to your home insurance policy:

  • Overland water: Although not every carrier offers this add-on, if your insurer does, it covers property damage from overflowing water from nearby rivers, streams, lakes and thawing snow.
  • Sewer back-up: Protects your home when a main sewer backs up and causes damage.
  • Earthquake: Covers losses or damage caused by an earthquake. This add-on is especially useful if your home is located in an area that is vulnerable to earthquakes.
  • Mass evacuation: If an event, like a flood or wildfire, triggers a government-issued evacuation order, this pays for some of the expenses you incur while being away from your home. Note that only covered perils qualify for this coverage. However, you can expand it via add-ons (e.g., by purchasing flood or earthquake coverage).
  • Identity theft: Covers the cost of replacing important documents, such as your passport.
  • Lock replacement: If you need to replace the locks on your house, this add-on provides coverage.
  • Personal valuables: This add-on lets you increase the coverage amount to account for high-value items such as fine art, collectibles and jewelry (in case your regular coverage is not enough).
  • Home sharing: If you’re looking to rent out your property, this will provide you with the additional property and liability coverage you need to stay protected.
  • Personal umbrella: If you’re worried that your standard liability coverage isn’t enough (e.g. if your lawsuit costs you more than expected), this add-on can make up the difference.

What is not included in a typical home insurance policy?

Even if you have the most coverage money can buy, having opted for every available endorsement, there are some perils against which no policy will protect you. In the insurance world, these are referred to as 'exclusions'.

Common exclusions include:

  • Absence from the home: Damage that takes place while you’re away from the home for an extended period of time.
  • Alterations: A homeowner will only be protected against damage to a property that occurs during an alteration to it if they have received written permission from the insurance provider to undertake the alteration. However, common repairs such as painting or fixing a broken railing are not subject to this exclusion.
  • By-law enforcement: You are not likely to be covered for costs stemming from the application or enforcement of a bylaw.
  • Damage from renters: Most insurance providers require specific coverage for landlords. A standard home insurance policy is unlikely to protect you if a renter damages the property.
  • Deliberate damage or injuries: If you purposely damage your property (whether it’s your dwelling or personal items) or you deliberately hurt someone on your property, your insurance will refuse to cover you. In fact, if you file a claim for either of the two, you may be accused of insurance fraud, which is illegal.
  • Earthquake: Most policies exclude protection against earthquakes, though you can add coverage in the form of an endorsement.
  • Existing damage: You’re unlikely to be covered for damage that began before you held the policy.
  • Flooding: Most policies exclude flood protection, though coverage can be purchased as an endorsement.
  • Mold: Since mold occurs slowly due to pre-existing conditions, such as extreme humidity, there is usually enough time for you to prevent it. Home insurance isn’t meant for maintenance – it's here to address major perils only.
  • Pest infestations: Like mold, pest infestations, including mice, bedbugs, cockroaches and termites, are also a maintenance concern. That’s why it’s unlikely that your insurance would cover an infestation if it were to occur in your home.
  • Volatile substance: If you have more than one gallon of a volatile substance on your property and a fire or explosion takes place, you may be denied coverage. This is likely to include gasoline.


There are also some perils for which no coverage is available. They’re referred to as ‘uninsured perils.’ For example, if your home is built on a known flood plain, no insurance protection may be available.

Recent Ontario home insurance quotes

Recent Home Insurance Quote from Oshawa, ON
Detached 1,288 sq ft
December 06, 2024
Cheapest Quote
$ 87 / month
$1,041 / year
Average Quote
$ 112 / month
$1,340 / year
Savings
$ 25 / month
$300 / year
or
22.00 %
Recent Home Insurance Quote from Oshawa, ON
Detached 2,246 sq ft
December 06, 2024
Cheapest Quote
$ 156 / month
$1,877 / year
Average Quote
$ 245 / month
$2,934 / year
Savings
$ 88 / month
$1,056 / year
or
36.00 %
Recent Home Insurance Quote from Oshawa, ON
Detached 1,462 sq ft
December 06, 2024
Cheapest Quote
$ 127 / month
$1,524 / year
Average Quote
$ 219 / month
$2,626 / year
Savings
$ 92 / month
$1,104 / year
or
42.00 %
Home insurance quotes are compared from Apollo Insurance, CAA, Economical Insurance, Pembridge, Square One Insurance, and SGI

How RATESDOTCA gets you the best Ontario home insurance quotes

RATESDOTCA works with home insurance companies and brokers in Ontario to provide you with a broad selection of quotes. We quickly collect your information and use it to generate the best offers from each of our partners. Our service is fast, easy and free to use.

By comparing Ontario home insurance quotes from several insurance providers in a single place, you can instantly assess the market and find the best policy to protect your property.

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Factors that determine your home insurance premium

Ontario home insurance companies use a variety of factors to calculate your level of risk. The higher the risk, the more they’ll charge for coverage.

This list outlines the variables that have the greatest impact on the cost of your home insurance policy:

Flood risk

Insurance rates in Ontario are higher for homes located in areas known to flood or identified as flood plains. If you live close to a waterway, you can also expect to pay more for coverage. Even if that river or lake has not overflowed recently, record claim amounts for homes damaged by severe weather have made insurance providers increasingly cautious.

To be fully protected against flood risk, you may need to add different types of flood protection to your home insurance policy. While some insurance providers combine flood coverage into a water protection policy, others distinguish between overland flood protection and sewer back-up protection. Make sure you clearly understand what flood coverage has been added to your policy.

Disrepair

While most home insurance policies will protect against unexpected damage, if it was predictable, your claim may be denied. For example, if someone is injured after falling through a damaged banister, your home insurance provider has grounds for denying coverage. Make sure you attend in a timely manner to any aspects of your home that need repair so you can be confident of being covered, should the need arise.

Replacement cost

The replacement cost of your home is a primary determiner of the cost of your home insurance. The more expensive your house is to fix or rebuild, the higher your premiums will be.

Property location

The location of your home is factored into your premiums. If you live in an area with a high rate of break-ins, you’ll likely pay more because of the higher risk of theft. If you live next to a lake, you’ll pay more because of the risk of flooding.

Basement

Because basements are especially prone to water damage of both internal or external sources, owning a house with a basement means you’ll likely pay more for home insurance.

Electric wiring

If your home is old, its electric wiring may be putting you and your loved ones at risk. Houses built in the 1950s and earlier usually use a 60-amp service, which is more likely to cause a fire than the wiring used in newer homes. This increased level of risk may cause your premiums to go up.

House age

Beyond wiring, older homes are more likely to be at risk of plumbing and heating faults, which can lead to water damage or fire

High-risk household appliances

Wood-burning stoves and oil-based heaters can reduce energy costs, but they also increase the risk of a fire.

Roof

If you need to replace your roof, it can cost you up to $10,000, depending on the size and type of roof you’re installing. The materials used to build your roof therefore affect your insurance rates.

Pets

If you have pets, you’ll need to disclose it to your insurance company. Some pets are considered a liability risk. Certain dog breeds, such as rottweilers, may even cause some insurance providers to decline your application for coverage.

Smoking

Home insurance providers may offer a discount to homeowners who don’t smoke because they deem the home less likely to be damaged by fire from an unattended cigarette.

Claims history

Insurance providers consider your claims history to be an indication of how likely you are to make a claim in the future. If you’ve never made a claim before, you may be rewarded with a lower home insurance premium. On the other hand, if you’ve made claims in the past, your rate may be higher.

What a basic home insurance policy may not cover in Ontario

Standard home insurance policies won’t cover your mortgage payments or property taxes. They may also exclude coverage of certain contents, like fine art, or protection for secondary structures on your property. Before selecting an Ontario home insurance policy, it’s important to understand what is and what is not protected under your plan.

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Quarter Average property insurance premium changes
Q2 202412.5%
Q1 202412.7%
Q4 20238.0%
Q3 20237.5%
Q2 20236.4%
Q1 20235.1%
Q4 20225.4%
Q3 20224.6%
Q2 20225.3%
Q1 20224.9%
Q4 20212.3%
Q3 20213.7%
Q2 20212.5%
Q1 20210.3%

Note: The percentages listed above are derived from comparing rates from one quarter to the same quarter in the prior year (e.g., Q2 2024 is compared to Q2 2023).

Source: The Applied Rate Index (Q2 2024)

Ontario home insurance price trends (2011 - 2024)

Home insurance prices have been on the rise in Ontario. The average rate increased by about 20% since 2022. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (2011 – 2019), year-over-year price increases have rarely exceeded 10% – with some years even seeing price drops. This has not been the case for over half a decade now.

More and more homes in Ontario are being damaged by severe weather. This has resulted in a higher volume of record claims. According to IBC, insured damage for severe weather exceeded $3 billion for multiple consecutive years in Canada. In 2024, intense flash floods that occurred in Toronto and southern Ontario cost the province over $940 million in insured damage.

Furthermore, construction costs have been soaring since the beginning of the pandemic. Residential building construction costs – which reflect the value of all materials, labour, equipment, overhead and profit to construct a building – have gone up 61% between 2024 and 2019. Labour shortages don’t help the situation either, as 25,000 to 28,000 construction workers are projected to retire every year until 2033.

This means that rebuilding a home is more expensive not only because of material costs but labour costs as well. As a result, claims are not just plentiful – they are expensive too.

To stay ahead of the curve, insurers have no choice but to increase their premiums.

Ontario home insurance price trends

Average home insurance quotes in Ontario

According to data from RATESDOTCA’s Home Insuramap, the average annual cost of insurance for homes in Ontario is $1,487 (as of our latest research). Ajax has the lowest average premium in not just the GTA but the entire province, at $1,068 per year, followed by Stratford and Cambridge, at $1,071 and $1,081 per year, respectively.

The cheapest home insurance cities in Ontario
City Annual premium
Ajax $1,068
Stratford $1,072
Cambridge $1,081
Whitby $1,093
Holland Landing $1,094
Guelph $1,098
Waterloo $1,102
Kitchener $1,103
Concord $1,104
Stoufville $1,104

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How to get the cheapest home insurance coverage in Ontario

There are several ways to get cheap insurance in Ontario. Here are some of the most common ones:

  • Increase deductibles: The higher the deductible, the less you have to pay for your insurance. Most home insurance deductibles are $1,000, but you can increase the amount to $2,000 or even $2,500, if you want (just be mindful that higher deductibles mean higher out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a claim).
  • Install alarms: Having sophisticated fire and burglar alarm systems can lower the chances of your home burning down or getting robbed. If you notify your insurer of having such a system, there is a good chance your premiums will go down.
  • Upgrade electrical and plumbing systems: If your home is on the older side, then it may have outdated plumbing and electrical systems, which increase the risk of flooding and fire, respectively. If you modify those systems and tell your insurer about it, your premiums may go down.
  • Install severe weather and flood protections: Make sure your home has enough sump pumps, your basement walls are reinforced, and your roof has been repaired in the last 10 years. All of these can reduce the risk of weather-related damage, especially water damage, and lower your premiums as a result.
  • Ask for discounts: Never shy away from asking your insurer for discounts. For instance, if you’ve been with the same insurer for multiple years, you might secure a loyalty discount. Your insurer may also offer you a discount for having fire extinguishers or being a non-smoker.
  • Get the right coverage: Don’t buy coverage you don’t need. For instance, if your area rarely gets overland floods of any kind, then you probably don’t need flood insurance. If you live by yourself or with just your spouse and rarely invite any guests, consider getting minimal liability coverage. Speak with your insurer and weigh your options carefully, so you don’t spend more than you have to.
  • Bundle up: If you own a car, you can bundle your home and car insurance under the same provider and secure a discount.
  • Comparison shop: Always compare prices and never settle for the first quote you receive. On RATESDOTCA, you can compare quotes from multiple home insurers at once in just a few clicks – and for free.

Frequently asked questions about Ontario home insurance

Got more questions about Ontario home insurance? We got you covered.

Who has the best home insurance rates in Ontario?

While there's no definitive 'best' home insurance provider in Ontario, comparing quotes is definitely the best way to find a home insurance policy that fits your needs. To find the best quote, compare offers from as many Ontario home insurance providers as possible with RATESDOTCA. We work with some of the most trusted home insurance providers in the province to find you the cheapest Ontario home insurance policy on the market.

Is fire insurance mandatory in Ontario?

No, fire insurance is not mandatory in Ontario nor is home insurance. However, most lenders will only mortgage properties that are protected by home insurance. Even the most basic, least expensive home insurance policy is likely to protect against accidental fire damage. This includes incidents such as lightning strikes, gas leaks, faulty electrical wiring, kitchen fires, candles, cigarettes, or even seasonal wildfires.

Speaking of wildfires, 2023 broke the record in terms of the total area burned, with more than 18.5 million hectares of land affected. Though Alberta and British Columbia typically get hit the hardest, Ontario saw a significant impact that year as well, with Toronto and the rest of southern Ontario ending up covered in smoke. Luckily, despite the record-breaking numbers in 2023, most Ontarians are unlikely to lose their home to a wildfire, as most wildfires occur far away from densely populated areas. The more worrisome trend is the increased risk of flooding in southern Ontario, which cost the province almost $1 million in insured damage in 2024 alone.

What are the most common risks homeowners face in Ontario?

Homes in Ontario are vulnerable to the increasing volume of severe weather events taking place across Canada. Adding to the risks is how many neighbourhoods are developed near lakes and rivers. If your home is located near a waterway, we strongly encourage you to add flood protection to your home insurance policy to make sure that you’re protected in the event of an overland flood or sewer back-up.

Homeowners in Ontario, particularly in the Ottawa area, may also consider adding earthquake protection to their policies. While earthquakes are not common, they have taken place. In 2010, an earthquake in the Ottawa area, which measured 5.0 on the Richter Scale, caused significant property damage, including gas main breaks, a bridge collapse and significant property damage to homes near its epicenter.

Given that 2023 saw a record-breaking wave of wildfires throughout Ontario, fire damage and evacuation orders may become more prominent down the road. Luckily, this one is covered by most insurance policies by default.

Finally, Ontario, like many eastern provinces, is at risk of derechos, strong winter storms and bomb cyclones, all of which can cause severe damage to your home, particularly your roof and windows. In 2022, Eastern Canada saw several such weather events, and it is expected that they will only increase in frequency and severity. So, make sure you have full coverage when it comes to extreme weather.

Will I be charged if I switch home insurance providers?

It depends. Most house insurance policies require a 12-month commitment. Once this period expires you may switch to a different provider without penalty. If you decide to cancel an existing policy before it expires, you may be required to pay an early cancellation fee.

If I use my home as an Airbnb, does my home insurance cover it?

Your home insurance policy may offer limited coverage for Airbnb guests, but you need to confirm this with your insurance provider before using your home as a rental property. In most cases, additional coverage will be required. If you don’t disclose that you’re renting all or part of your house to guests, your insurance provider may void your policy.

*Shoppers in Ontario who obtained a home insurance quote on RATESDOTCA from January to December 2023 saved an average amount of $360. The average savings amount represents the difference between the shoppers’ average lowest quoted premium and the average of the second and third lowest quoted premiums generated by RATESDOTCA. Excludes tenant and condo insurance.

Taras Trofimov ,
Content Manager

Taras has over nine years of content marketing experience across multiple industries in B2B and B2C spaces. He has produced thought leadership content for organizations like Constellation Software, Facebook and Yellow Pages as well as outlets like Huffington Post and MSN Canada.

He graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and studied Technical Communication at Seneca College.

Experience
  • Home Insurance
Education
  • Bachelor of Arts at York University

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