Home insurance for homeowners

Liability coverage

Coverages E, F, G and H

These coverages are included in standard insurance policies. They insure you for unintentional bodily injury or property damage that you cause to another person, anywhere in the world. For example:

• a fire breaks out in your home and spreads to your neighbours’ homes
• a visitor slips on icy stairs going into your home and breaks their leg
• your son breaks a neighbour’s window during a snowball fight and your neighbour sends you the bill for the replacement window
• your cleaner falls and gets hurt while cleaning your windows
• your kid accidentally injures their friend during playtime and you need to pay the ambulance fees
• the home you’re renting in Mexico is damaged by an accidental fire

If someone sues you, your financial situation could be put into jeopardy without this coverage. Most people choose $1 million of liability coverage, but you can increase the amount up to $5 million under certain conditions.

Fire

All-risk insurance for fire damage

All-risk insurance covers most types of accidents, like damage caused by fire, smoke and forest fires.

For example, if a chimney fire causes your house to go up in flames, you would be covered. You would also be covered for your additional living expenses (like hotel expenses) if you have to temporarily relocate so that repairs can be done.

Theft and vandalism

All-risk insurance for theft and vandalism damage

All-risk insurance covers most types of accidents, like damage caused by theft and vandalism.

For example, if your house is burglarized and vandalized while you’re on vacation, you’d be covered for the cost of replacing or repairing the damage.

Accidental water leak or overflow

All-risk protection for damage caused if the water service pipe leaks or overflows (doesn't include events that happen repeatedly)

All-risk insurance covers most types of accidents, like damage caused when water accidentally leaks or overflows. However, it doesn’t cover damage that’s caused repeatedly by the same problem.

For example, if the hose to your washing machine suddenly breaks and causes damage to your home, you'll be covered.

If your water heater causes the same type of damage, the damage is also covered, as long as your water heater was not excluded from your insurance policy because it was too old.

Repeated water leaks or seepage

Exclusion ─ Damage caused by repeated water seepage or leaks

Your insurance only covers sudden and accidental water damage. In other words, if damage happens because you didn’t address an existing problem, it won’t be covered.

For example, the toilet on the 2nd storey of your home has been leaking for several months. One day you discover that the floor around the toilet has rotted, and that you need to replace the living room ceiling below the bathroom. These repairs would not be covered, because the damage occurred gradually due to a repeated, continuous water leak.

Tornado, freezing rain, hail, wind and lightning

All-risk insurance covers most types of accidents, like sudden loss or damage caused by tornado, freezing rain, hail, strong winds or lightning.

For example, if a windstorm causes a tree branch to smash through your window, you would be covered for the damage to your window as well as damage to any nearby property.

However, if a windstorm or hailstorm causes damage outside your home to trees, shrubs, plants or your lawn, that damage is not covered.

Earthquake

This provides you with additional coverage if an earthquake causes damage to your property. It also covers damage by other ground movement that might be caused by an earthquake, like avalanches, landslides or subsidence.

For example, if an earthquake causes damage to your home's foundation, you would be covered for the cost of repairs.

Fire, Explosion and Smoke Damage Resulting From an Earthquake

This coverage is included in a standard insurance policy. It only provides coverage for:

• fire
• explosion
• smoke

damage caused by an earthquake or other earth movements resulting from an earthquake, such as avalanches, landslides or subsidence.

For example, if an earthquake damages your home's electrical system and a fire breaks out, you would be covered for the cost of repairing or replacing the electrical system in your home.

Landslides, subsidence or other events

You are insured for damage caused by avalanches, landslides, subsidence or soil erosion only if these events are caused by an earthquake. If this type of damage occurs, you’ll need to check your additional insurance for Earthquake (Endorsement 22a) and Fire, Explosion and Smoke Damage Resulting From an Earthquake (Endorsement 22b) to see how much coverage you have.

Standard insurance policy never includes damage caused by tidal waves or tsunamis.

Personal Property (Contents)

This coverage is included in standard home insurance policies. It insures your belongings and furniture in case something bad happens.

For example, if you don't install your bookcase correctly and it crashes into your TV, DVR and sound system, you could be covered for the entire cost of repairing and replacing them, up to the amount shown in your insurance policy.

Limits

There may be some limits on the amounts you can claim for certain items. Check your insurance policy to find out what they are! If you think they don't provide enough coverage for what your property is worth, you might be able to buy additional coverage for your more valuable property.

Dwelling

This coverage is included in standard insurance policies. It insures:

• your home and its installations, whether temporary or not, like fences and temporary car shelters
• materials and supplies intended to be used to renovate or repair your home and attached structures

For example, if you accidentally spill a gallon of paint on your hardwood floor, you would be covered for the cost of replacing the floor.

Detached Private Structures coverage

This coverage is included in standard insurance policies. It insures structures that are located on the premises but not attached to your home—for example, a detached garage or a shed.

Home under construction or being renovated

This coverage insures your home against theft and vandalism while it’s under construction.

For example, if your home is under construction and building materials are stolen from the premises overnight, you’ll be insured for their replacement.

Above Ground of Semi-Inground Swimming Pool | Inground Swimming Pool and Hot Tub

This insures you if your swimming pool or hot tub is damaged by things like freezing temperatures or heavy ice or snow.

For example, if you discover in springtime that your swimming pool’s structure and cover were damaged by the harsh winter, you would be covered for the cost of repairing or replacing them.

Equipment, accessories, and patios or decks that lead directly to your pool or hot tub are also insured, as long as they are not attached to your home.

Defects, deterioration, and wear and tear

You're not covered for damage caused by defects, gradual deterioration or normal wear and tear of your property.

For example, if your refrigerator is 5 years old and suddenly stops working due to a mechanical failure, you wouldn't be covered for the cost of repairing or replacing it.

Personal property owned by a dependent student

Your home insurance policy includes insurance for your child (or a dependent child) if they are a full-time student.

For example, if your son moves into a dorm in another city, your insurance policy would cover his belongings and furniture while he is a full-time student.