Basic home insurance in Toronto protects your property (detached home, semi-detached home, townhome, rental property, seasonal dwelling, or condo) and its contents against a range of damages, perils, and threats. With a basic home insurance policy, you can rest assured knowing that your single largest investment is covered against the unexpected. Here are some unwelcome outcomes you won’t have to worry about with home insurance:

• Damages caused by inclement weather, such as severe storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, earthquakes, and hail
• Protection against falling objects
• Damages caused by explosions
• Losses resulting from break-and-enters and vandalism
• Damages caused by fire and/or smoke
• Damages caused by frozen pipes
• Aircraft or vehicles colliding with your home
• Damages caused to structures that are on your insured property, including sheds, guest houses, or garages
• Living expenses if you’re forced to temporarily relocate while your home is being repaired or replaced (i.e. cost of hotel or short-term apartment rental)
• Liability protection if someone is inadvertently injured while in your home or on your property. The associated costs could be very expensive (healthcare costs, job loss reimbursement, etc.), and many Toronto homeowners would struggle to afford the financial consequences without insurance.
• Liability protection if you inadvertently damage another person’s property, even if that property is out-of-province or abroad.

There’s a lot that goes into determining the amount of home insurance you need, and it’s different for every Toronto homeowner. Determining the proper amount of coverage for your unique property situation is something that one of Surex's Dedicated Insurance Assistants can help you with.

There are many different types of property insurance available in Toronto, including home insurance, condominium unit insurance, tenant’s or renter’s insurance, secondary dwelling coverage, mobile home (RV) insurance, seasonal dwelling insurance, and investment property (landlord) insurance.

When selecting home insurance in Toronto, remember that you don’t need enough to cover the market value of your Toronto home, you only need enough to cover the cost to rebuild your home in its current condition (i.e. replacement value of your home), which is often lower than its market value. In order to arrive at an accurate replacement value of your home, be sure to always let a Surex insurance broker know of any betterments, renovations, or improvements you make to your residence, as these are likely to raise the replacement value of your home (and thus raise your premiums).

Home insurance in Toronto is affected by a number of variables, which is why rates can be different for every property. Here are some of the most common factors that the top Canadian home insurance companies take into consideration when you get insurance online or over the phone:

• Home replacement cost: Home insurance is determined by looking at replacement cost, not market value. In other words, home insurance is based on the cost to replace your home in its current shape, not based on how much your home is worth on the market. For example, if your house costs approximately $300,000 to reconstruct, but it’s worth approximately $500,000 if you were to sell it, an insurance company would pay out $300,000 in the event of a total loss.
• Value of possessions: Home insurance will cover your house and your belongings, but if you own high-value items (e.g. expensive jewelry, high-end entertainment system), your premiums will go up (or you may be required to purchase additional coverage).
• Coverage type: Home insurance that includes protection beyond the basic coverage (e.g. specialized coverage for high-value items or exotic pets) will result in higher premiums.
• Local crime rate: If the crime rate in your neighbourhood is above average, this may be reflected in your home insurance premiums.
• Home systems: Factors such as plumbing, electrical, and heating/cooling are all considered by the top Canadian home insurance companies.
• Personal claims history: If you have a track record of filing multiple claims, you may be viewed as a high-risk customer in the eyes of your insurance provider, meaning your premiums are at risk of going up. When possible, avoid making claims (especially minor ones).
• Home type: Insuring different types of dwellings will affect your rate. Let your Dedicated Insurance Assistant know if you have a condo, townhouse, semi-detached home, detached home, rental property, or seasonal residence.
• Deductible amount: Like with car insurance, a higher deductible usually means lower rates.
• Home betterment: Renovations and improvements to your residence will increase the replacement value of your home, and is therefore likely to raise your premiums.

• Security features: Home security systems, sprinkler systems, fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and proximity to police stations and fire hydrants are all considered when assessing the risk of your property.
• Home business: Running a business out of your home should always be disclosed and will likely have an impact on your premiums.

Getting online insurance quotes for affordable home insurance  from the top Canadian home insurance companies in Toronto is fast, painless, and free. By visiting Surex.com, you’ll be able to compare home insurance options from up to ten of Canada’s leading insurance providers.

Getting a home insurance quote only costs a few minutes of your time, and once you find a quoted price you’re happy with, you can connect with a Dedicated Insurance Assistant. All of your questions about coverages, prices, and discounts will be answered over the phone, as a Dedicated Insurance Assistant provides you with unbiased advice about which home insurance provider has the best insurance coverage for your individual property needs.

They may also require further information (beyond what you provided to get the quote), so come prepared to the call with all of the information you have about your Toronto property, as well as a pen and paper so you can take notes about what other details you need to track down.

Wow, that's a hard one! The first place to start is here with us! First go online and put in your information from there you will see a variety of coverages and pricing options. Next chat with your assigned Insurance Advisor to discuss what options and what coverage works best for you. How much they charge for home insurance depends on your history, the city you live in, the type of dwelling etc.

Fire: Toronto’s big population means building fires can spread quickly as homes tend to be very close together. 

Flooding: Because of its low elevation, Toronto can see flash flooding, this can cause severe water damage.

Cold temperatures: With temperatures that can reach -30C, Torontotonians need to be prepared for frozen or burst water pipes in the winter season.

Home insurance helps you protect investments made in your home whether you own the house or are currently renting. The purpose is to manage risk if anything were to ever happen to the contents and to provide coverage so you don’t need to worry in these situations. Home insurance isn’t mandatory in every Canadian province (i.e. in Ontario), but the majority of financial institutions require it before you can take on a mortgage. As for tenant insurance, landlords will often request some form of proof of home insurance before giving you a lease. Consider the benefits of home insurance.

Most home insurance providers in Toronto will give policyholders the option to pay their premium all at once (annually) or in twelve installments (monthly). If you pay once annually, there’s a chance you’ll save money by avoiding the service fees that most providers charge for processing monthly payments.