Frequently Asked Questions on Property Insurance

Here are a few tips to lower your home insurance premium:

• Install a centrally-monitored alarm system.
• Take preventive measures to lower the number of claims you make. For practical advice, visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s Web site.
• Insure your home and car with us.
• Make sure that no one in your household smokes.

For more tips on how to save on your insurance, read Tips to Save on Home and Auto Insurance Premiums.

For information about safety standards for wood-burning appliances, please view the Guide to Residential Wood Heating produced by Natural Resources Canada.

You should tailor your home insurance policy to any change in your life. Update it regularly in order to:

• Receive coverage that suits your actual needs
• Benefit from the fairest and most equitable premium
• Avoid unpleasant surprises in the event of a claim

Call an agent to discuss any changes that could affect your insurance premium:

• Alarm system installation
• Change in your smoker/nonsmoker status
• Major renovations (e.g., finishing your basement, putting an addition on your home, etc.)
• Acquisition of highly valuable items (e.g., jewelry, paintings, antiques, etc.)

Also take the opportunity to update your home inventory. In the event of a claim, you will have all the information you need about your current possessions.

To determine your home insurance needs, read Choosing the Right Kind of Home Insurance.

Municipal waterworks can handle normal, or slightly above normal, water flow. However, sewers can back up following heavy precipitation, melting snow, a sudden thaw, a rise in the water table, or other unexpected weather conditions.

Fortunately, you can minimize the risk to your house or apartment by following these loss prevention tips:

Install a Backwater Valve

A backwater valve that complies with your municipality’s standards and bylaws will prevent sewage from backing up into your basement. The valve closes automatically if the sewer backs up.

Maintain Your Backwater Valve

Proper care of your plumbing system will significantly reduce the risk of sewer backup.

And of course, in the event of a loss, one of our claims advisors can help you deal with the emergency and start the claims process.

To learn more about prevention, read Tips on Preventing Home Insurance Claims.

You should purchase enough coverage to protect all of your belongings, including your:

• Clothes
• Furniture
• Electronic equipment
• Computer

Don’t forget anything!

People often underestimate the value of their belongings. Make sure you have sufficient coverage for everything you own. To do this, you should first:

Take an inventory. This is the best way to determine the total value of your belongings.

Figure out how much it would cost to replace everything.

Decide how much home insurance you need.

To learn more about how to draw up a detailed inventory, read Evaluating the Value of your Personal Belongings as Accurately as Possible.

You’re legally responsible for the damage if, for example:

• Your washing machine overflows
• You forget to turn off a tap and water overflows into the unit below

That’s why home insurance is a must for all tenants. It provides liability insurance for damages that you cause to someone or something in your building, or to the building itself.

Without this coverage, you’ll have to pay for the damages in full.

To better understand what your tenants insurance covers, read Home Insurance Responsibilities for Renters and Owners.

Yes, we can cover up to two roommates under the same home insurance policy.

However, if you and your spouse move in together, and you decide to share the apartment with another couple, each couple will need a separate home insurance policy.

To find out more about insuring an apartment, read Home Insurance Responsibilities for Renters and Owners.

Our home insurance quote tool is designed to let you know what premium you would be paying and how much you could be saving. It’s quick, easy and commitment free.

To get the most accurate quote possible, please answer all the questions; your answers to each one has an impact on the premium.

To save time, make sure you have the following information handy:

For owners

The reconstruction cost of your home

The year of construction of your home

The year the roof was renovated

The year the fuel-oil tank was installed or manufactured (if applicable)

The square footage

For tenants

An inventory of your belongings