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The Best Home Insurance Quotes in Ottawa

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Written By Joel Kranc

Contributing writer

Home insurance in Ottawa

Home insurance in Ottawa, like other parts of the country, is not mandatory. However, most financial lenders will not offer a mortgage without it, and it is an essential tool in protecting one of your biggest investments – your home. Protection from things like fire, theft or vandalism can save you money and emotional stress should one of those events happen. to homeowners who do not have home insurance in Ottawa. 

Here are the types of home insurance you’ll find in Ottawa:

  • Comprehensive or all-perils – This is the most comprehensive home insurance package you can get in Ottawa. By choosing a comprehensive or all perils policy your home's structure and contents are covered from all insurable perils (events that the insurer has agreed to cover). 
  • Broad or named perils – This package is a step down from the comprehensive package. While your home’s structure is covered from all perils, the content within your home is only protected against perils that you’ve specifically named in your policy. You won’t receive compensation for items that have not been specifically covered.
  • Basic – This policy offers basic coverage for properties that fail to meet the usual underwriting standards. Speak with your broker or provider for details. This type of policy is the cheapest of the three because it covers fewer perils and is lower risk to the insurance provider.

Types of home insurance in Ottawa

In addition to deciding on a policy type, it’s helpful to understand the standard components of home insurance policies in Ottawa.

Property coverages 

A standard home insurance policy in Ottawa will include the following:

  • Property – This coverage is based on the overall replacement value of your property’s main home structure and protects from common perils such as fire, theft, and weather. Keep in mind that this policy covers replacement value, which can be very different from the market value of your home. Other areas outside the main structure of your home, such as a fence or driveway, may require additional coverage. Ask your insurer for more information.
  • Contents and personal property – This coverage includes your home's contents, such as houseware, computers, furniture, and appliances, in case they get damaged, lost or stolen. For the best protection, insure your items for the right value so that your protection matches your expenses.
  • Additional living expenses – If you and your family are displaced from your home due to extensive damages, you can claim temporary accommodation and food costs for that period with additional living expenses coverage.

Liability coverages 

Home insurance protects your personal liability as well.

  • Personal liability – Many home insurance policies, whether basic, broad, or comprehensive, come with personal liability protection. This protects you from lawsuits and claims that may occur after someone suffers an injury on your property. The default on most home insurance plans for personal liability is $100,000 but it is recommended homeowners have coverage for as high as $1,000,000. Depending on your policy this can go as high as $5,000,000.
  • Voluntary medical payments – Covers medical costs when a person suffers an injury on your property and requires necessary medical attention. Most insurers will pay out the specified amount for up to one year from the date of the accident. Insurers in Ontario offer coverage for Voluntary Medical Payments that typically range between $5,000 – $10,000, and there is no deductible.
  • Voluntary property damage – Voluntary property damage coverage covers losses you cause to someone else's property even though you are not legally liable for them. This includes situations like accidentally damaging a neighbour's fence while mowing your lawn. Most insurance companies in Ontario set their limits for Voluntary Property Damage at $1,000; however, this will vary according to insurer and policy and often goes as high as $6,000.

Add-ons to home insurance coverage in Ottawa 

Homeowners in Ottawa can personalize their home insurance policies by adding additional protection to their policies. Here are the most common home insurance add-ons Abbotsford insurers provide:

  • Overland water – This add-on covers damage occurring from overflowing water stemming from rivers, streams, lakes, and thawing snow which enters your home, most commonly through your basement. Please note that not all insurers may offer this add-on.
  • Sewer backup – This will protect you if a sewer backs up and damages your home.
  • Earthquake – Luckily for Ontarians, they are not living in an earthquake zone and don’t really run into this as an insurance need. However, in some parts of the country it is crucial because earthquake damage can be very costly to repair as it can affect your property’s structure.
  • Mass evacuation – This add-on covers mass evacuation when disasters, like wildfires or floods, occur in your area. It will help pay for temporary displacement costs such as housing or food, when you are evacuated from your home due to a disaster.
  • Identity theftIdentity theft coverage covers the cost of replacing important personal identification, such as your driver's license and passport, when lost, stolen, or misused.
  • Lock replacement – This add-on covers the cost of replacing your house locks if damaged.

Recent Ottawa Home Insurance Quotes

Recent Home Insurance Quote from Ottawa, ON
Detached 1,415 sq ft
March 27, 2024
Cheapest Quote
$ 83 / month
$996 / year
Average Quote
$ 108 / month
$1,296 / year
Savings
$ 25 / month
$300 / year
or
23.00 %
Recent Home Insurance Quote from Ottawa, ON
Detached 1,024 sq ft
March 26, 2024
Cheapest Quote
$ 103 / month
$1,236 / year
Average Quote
$ 168 / month
$2,016 / year
Savings
$ 65 / month
$780 / year
or
39.00 %
Recent Home Insurance Quote from Ottawa, ON
Detached 1,169 sq ft
March 26, 2024
Cheapest Quote
$ 143 / month
$1,716 / year
Average Quote
$ 194 / month
$2,328 / year
Savings
$ 51 / month
$612 / year
or
26.00 %
Home insurance quotes are compared from Apollo Insurance, CAA, Economical Insurance, Pembridge, Square One Insurance, and SGI

Compare Ottawa’s average home insurance premium

The average cost for home insurance in Ottawa is $1,242 per year or about $103.50 per month according to RATESDOTCA Insuramap 2022 data. That is roughly 16.4% below the provincial average of $1,487 per year.

Ottawa is not the cheapest city to live in Ontario when it comes to home insurance rates, but for a metropolitan area in a large province, it is still in the mid-range for cost. Ottawa is still relatively densely populated with crime and other weather-related events that keeps rates on the higher side. Factors like location and claims histories will also play into the average cost for Ottawa residents.

City Estimated annual premium % difference compared to Ottawa

LaSalle

$2,411

+48.4%

Windsor

$2,319.47

+46.4%

South Porcupine

$2,046

+39.2%

Ottawa

$1,242

-

Toronto

$1,068

-16.3%

Stratford

$1,071.50

-15.9%

Cambridge

$1,081.40

-14.8%

 

Average Ottawa Home Insurance by Postal Codes 

The average yearly Ottawa home insurance premium is $1,242, according to the RATESDOTCA Insuramap 2022.  But as is shown in this chart, the averages vary from as high as $1,398 to as low as $1,044 per year.

The most expensive areas are more intricately linked to Ottawa Centre, Ottawa West and Ottawa East which has the highest level of congestion and is close to the city core. Homeowners in Gloucester Street in Centretown, Ottawa, pay the cheapest insurance amount at $1,044 per year.

The further out you get into more rural areas with fewer people (and therefore less crime/theft/vandalism or congestion) the cheaper the Ottawa home insurance premiums cost.

Postal Code Average Home Insurance Premium
K2P0A1 $1,044
K1P0A1 $1,054
K1S0A2 $1,076
K1N0A1 $1,088
K1V0A1 $1,183
K2A0A1 $1,231
K1Y0A1 $1,248
K1A0A1 $1,287
K1J0A1 $1,291
K2B0A1 $1,319
K1R0A1 $1,325
K1K0A3 $1,328
K1Z0A1 $1,342
K1H0A1 $1,369
K2C0A1 $1,369
K1G0A1 $1,398

Source: RATESDOTCA Insuramap

Which companies provide home insurance quotes in Ottawa?

Companies Company Type Phone Address

Aviva Insurance

Direct Writer

1 (800) 387-4518

112 Kent St Suite 2100, Tower B, Ottawa, ON K1P 5P2

Craig Hamilton

Insurance Brokers

(613) 722-6549

1673 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON K2A 1C4

Economical Insurance

Direct Writer

1 800-267-8318

343 Preston St #500, Ottawa, ON K1S 1N4

Insurance Hotline

Quotes Comparison

1 (855) 821-7312

225 King St W, Suite 1000, Toronto, ON, M5V 3M2

Intact Insurance

Direct Writer

1 (800) 267-1836

1200 St. Laurent Blvd., 004A Ottawa ON K1K 3B8

LowestRates.ca

Quotes Comparison

1 (855) 487-6911

1910 Yonge St. Suite 401, Toronto, ON M4S 3B2

RATESDOTCA

Quotes Comparison

1 (844) 726-0907

225 King St W, Suite 1000, Toronto, ON, M5V 3M2 

Scoop Insurance

Insurance Brokers

(416) 955-6286

300 Lincoln St. Unit 22, Welland, ON L3B 4N4

Tanner Insurance

Insurance Broker

1-877-447-8844

2435 Holly Lane Suite 200, Ottawa Ontario. K1V 7P2

Travelers Canada

Direct Writer

(613) 233-1363

155 Queen St, Ottawa, ON K1P 6L1

How to get the cheapest home insurance coverage in Ottawa, Canada

Finding the cheapest home insurance in Ottawa is easy when you follow these tips:

  1. Comparison shop – Using sites like RATESDOTCA allows you to compare the cheapest rates from the top providers in Ottawa. It's free and simple to use. Simply enter the fields in the RATESDOTCA page asking about your home insurance needs and voila! You’ll have Ottawa’s cheapest home insurance rates in minutes.
  2. Bundling – Ottawa home insurance providers appreciate your business. Therefore, by bundling other insurance products, like auto or life insurance, with your home insurance using the same provider you can save money. Your insurance provider shows their appreciation by rewarding you with discounts.
  3. Raise your deductible – By agreeing to pay more out-of-pocket expenses before your insurance does, you are reducing risks from your Ottawa home insurance provider. Reduced risks for them means more savings for you.
  4. Upgrade your home – Upgrading outdated home systems like plumbing or wiring can greatly improve the safety of your home. It reduces the risks of fire or flooding and ultimately the need to make insurance claims. That risk reduction will translate to greater home insurance savings.
  5. Look for discounts – Many Ottawa home insurance providers offer discounts to members of associations or alumni groups. Ask your provider about the programs they have and if you qualify.
  6. Maintain a good credit score – By maintaining a good credit score you are showing your Ottawa home insurance provider that you are a safe risk. The better your score the less of a risk you are to them and the more savings you can achieve.
  7. Be loyal – Ottawa home insurance providers reward customers who remain loyal. By staying with one provider over time, you can achieve greater discounts over the years.

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What risks do homeowners face in Ottawa?

When considering what sort of insurance coverage to get, Ottawa homeowners should be aware of the potential for extreme weather in the National Capital Region.

Some of the insurance risks that homeowners in Ottawa face, include:

  • Burst pipes – During the winter, the temperature in Ottawa can drop lower than -30C. This can increase the likelihood of water damage from burst pipes. While water damage is covered in most basic home insurance policies, be sure you’re comfortable with the amount of coverage provided and its limit.
  • Earthquakes – The most recent earthquake in Ottawa was in June 2010. The 30-second tremor, which had a magnitude of 5 on the Richter Scale, was the most powerful the region had experienced in 65 years. Its epicenter was in Buckingham, Quebec, about 65 kms north of Ottawa. While earthquakes are not necessarily common in the area, we recommend that Ottawa homeowners consider adding earthquake coverage to their policies. Most insurance providers do not include it in standard policies, so protection requires an additional cost.
  • Overland water – Ottawa is vulnerable to flash floods and overwhelming thaws due to its close proximity to the Ottawa River. We recommend that homeowners purchase flood protection, including overland flood coverage, which will compensate homeowners for damage caused by overflow from a nearby waterway. Flood protection is not included in most basic policies.
  • Severe thunderstorms – The Ottawa area is prone to severe thunderstorms, including torrential rainfall, hail, and lightning. These weather events can lead to significant damage to the exterior of a home. While this sort of damage is often considered an insured peril, review your policy to make sure you have an adequate coverage amount.
  • Strong winds – Like other cities in Ontario, Ottawa homes face the risk of property damage from winds of more than 100km/h. Strong winds can damage your roof, windows and other structural parts of your home. Damage from wind is included in most home insurance policies, but make sure you’re comfortable with the coverage amount.

Frequently asked questions about Ottawa home insurance

Here’s everything you may be wondering about home insurance coverage in Ottawa.

How much does house insurance in Ottawa cost?

The average lowest home insurance quote a RATESDOTCA user in Ottawa received in 2021 is $1,080. This is $202 cheaper than the provincial average of $1,282.**

While these averages offer a glimpse at typical home insurance quotes in Ottawa, keep in mind that the cost of a policy depends significantly on the home and person being insured, not just city in which the property is located. Factors like the age of the building, the materials used for its construction and the homeowner’s claims history are also very important factors that go into determining the cost of a policy.

Which company offers the cheapest Ottawa home insurance?

There is no single home insurance company that offers the cheapest insurance quotes for homes in Ottawa. Each provider assesses risks differently, which means that the company that gave your neighbour a low rate might not give you the same rate nor a lower one. The best way to find which company offers the cheapest insurance for your home is to comparison shop before settling on a policy.

What is not covered by most Ottawa home insurance policies?

Home insurance providers in Ottawa will not cover every peril under a standard policy. In fact, perils such as flood and earthquake will require extra coverage. Additional liability coverage is also commonly added on. To be sure you understand what your policy excludes, consult a representative from your insurance provider.

How do I save on Ottawa home insurance?

On average in 2021, the RATESDOTCA Home Insuramap tool reflects that Ottawa homeowners paid about $200 less per year than residents of other Ontario cities: $1,080 in Ontario vs the provincial average of $1,282.

Some things you can do to help further reduce the cost of a house insurance policy in Ottawa, include:

  • Bundle – Bundling your policies so that each is held by a single provider could result in a discount of 5-15%.
  • Flood prevention – Install a backwater valve that will move water away from the home in the event of a sewer back-up. Many municipalities over rebates for homeowners who install them.
  • Keep your home updated – Make sure your home is well cared for and outfitted with sufficient safety measures. If you replace the roof and/or upgrade the electrical system, let your insurance provider know. You could receive a discount for making the home more safe. Similarly, consider installing a security system as well as carbon monoxide and fire alarms.
  • Pay more upfront – If you pay the full cost of your annual policy up front, you may get a discount. You can also opt for a higher deductible to help bring down the overall cost. You can usually choose from a deductible of either $500, $1,000 or $2,000. If you increase the deductible, be sure you’ll have cash available if you need to make a claim.

How much insurance coverage do I need for my home in Ottawa?

Once you figure out what type of policy you’d like for your Ottawa home, you have some room to amend the coverage amounts allocated to specific perils. In general, the more coverage you have, the more you’re likely to pay.

To save on your overall insurance costs, we recommend that you customize your policy, carefully assessing what perils make sense for your home and your risk tolerance.

Due to increasing incidents of severe weather, it’s wise for homeowners in every part of Canada to make sure they have protection against flooding. Many home insurance policies exclude it, so, if you don’t add it, you could be entirely without protection in the event of a flood – whether it be from a sewer back-up or overland flooding from a nearby waterway.

When you’re deciding how much coverage to get, consider how you’re likely to respond if you end up having to make a claim and don’t have protection.

What is a loss settlement option?

Loss settlement refers to the amount of money the policyholder is compensated for damage from a covered peril. That amount will be determined by the type of loss settlement option you selected when you purchased your policy.

When deciding on a home insurance policy, you’ll choose one of the three following options: Actual cost value, replacement cost value and agreed value.

  • Actual cost value – Means that in the event of damage from a covered peril, you’ll receive compensation for the current value of an item. For example, if your five-year-old laptop is damaged, you’ll be compensated for the value of a five-year-old laptop.
  • Replacement cost value – Means that you’ll be compensated for the full cost of replacing an item at the time of the damage. So, if your five-year-laptop is damaged, you’ll receive enough money to purchase a new laptop provided it’s a similar make and model to the original.
  • Agreed value – Refers to the value of an item that has been agreed upon by a third party such as an appraiser as well as the policyholder and insurance provider.

Is fire covered under my Ottawa home insurance policy?

Though at one time standalone fire policies were sold, they rarely are today. Instead, fire is among many commonly named perils in most home insurance policies.

When reviewing your policy, make sure you’re clear on any exclusions associated with the fire protection aspect of it. For example, policies will often exclude coverage for damage to an electrical device or appliance caused by a lightning strike. Similarly, there are often exclusions for coverage of items damaged from a civil war, riot or nuclear incident – even if it was fire that caused the damage.

How do I file a home insurance claim in Ottawa?

There are a few ways to file a home insurance claim in Ottawa. Most Ottawa home insurance providers allow you to start the process online by filling out their forms and describing what it is you lost and its value. 

If your provider does not offer that service, or you want to speak with someone directly, you can do so by calling your provider or agent directly. They will take your information to start the claims process. 

It’s important to make a claim as soon as something has occurred. Also, keep receipts of your valuables as best you can and/or have photos of the items you are claiming.

Find the cheapest Ottawa home insurance quote at RATESDOTCA

Because home insurance is more expensive in Ottawa than most cities in Ontario, it’s important to find savings wherever you can. While it helps to looks for discounts with your insurance provider, the surest way to get the cheapest policy is to compare quotes from as many home insurance companies possible. RATESDOTCA aggregates the best offers from more 30 Ottawa home insurance providers, so you can see the entire market at a glance. It takes just a few minutes to save big on your house insurance coverage.

*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.

** Based on 2021 RATESDOTCA Insuramap data.

Joel Kranc ,
Writer

Joel Kranc is a freelance writer and content provider who has worked with RATESDOTCA since 2019. He holds an MA in political science from the University of Toronto and a film certificate from New York University.

He has been published in and worked for such companies as CNN, Rogers Media, Institutional Investor Magazine, The Globe and Mail, Infrastructure Investor, BenefitsPRO Magazine, Global Finance Magazine, With Intelligence, the CPP Investment Board, Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan, and many more financial services and industry publications.

He is the author of "Retirement Planning in 8 Easy Steps," which, when released in 2015, was No. 11 on the Publisher's Weekly US Bestseller List for Business and Finance, beating out Mark Cuban's "How to Win at the Sport of Business."

Education
  • Master's of Political Science, University of Toronto
Featured in
  • Benefits Canada
  • Institutional Investor
  • Plan Sponsor Magazine
  • Global Finance Magazine
  • Infrastructure Investor
  • Private Equity Investor
  • The Globe and Mail
  • Fund Directions Newsletter
  • BenefitsPRO
  • HR Professional
  • Advisor's Edge
  • Institutional Investor
  • Employee Benefit Advisor
  • Investing in Infrastructure Magazine (i3)

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