Insurance for Homeowners in British Columbia

The basic coverages included in any homeowners policy are coverage for your home and its contents, as well as your personal liability, anywhere in the world. More specifically, for those who live in their homes year-round, your homeowners insurance will typically cover: The building (ie the dwelling) Detached Structures on the premises, like a garage, shed outhouse, etc The Personal Property you own, such as computers, books furniture, electronics, clothing, books, jewellery, etc Any trees and shrubs located outside and on the premises Your Additional living expenses, should you have to relocate as a result of a covered claim The loss of any rental income after making a claim, if applicable. Your homeowners insurance typically also covers the same things for your spouse and any relatives who are living with you in the same household. Keep in mind that you can typically customize your insurance policy to get the right type and amount of insurance for your specific needs, such as adding a high-end bicycle or an expensive piece of jewelry. It’s always good to keep your policy current and up to date with the value of the personal possessions of everyone on the policy to ensure you’re adequately covered.

The cost of your homeowners insurance policy will depend on a number of factors and can differ greatly between insurance carriers. One of the main factors affecting your premium is the location of your home. All major insurance companies use your postal code to determine the frequency and severity of the claims reported in your neighborhood, and they will use it to determine the risk, and therefore set the rate accordingly. For example, if you live in an area with a high likelihood of break-ins or vandalism, your rate could be higher than what you would pay in an area where those things are rare. The same can be sent for areas prone to flooding, forest fires, etc. Other items that affect your premium are the age, structure and construction type of your home, as well as the heating system you use, the type (and age) of your electrical system and of course your insurance experience, and the various optional coverages you choose to add, such as coverage for Earthquake, overland flooding and others.

Depending on the nature of your loss, the premium you pay for your homeowners insurance policy the subsequent year may see an increase, but that’s not a guarantee. Depending on the type of policy you have, you may lose your claims-free status or you may lose your claims-free discount leading to a small increase in your policy premium. Other factors will also come into play, including inflation, the overall performance of your insurance carrier, and even claims-related data within the same period in your postal code.

The type of coverage you need is typically based on the value of the home you live in, and therefore want to insure. The insurance company considers every little thing required to rebuild your home to the same state it was, before experiencing the loss. This includes items such as the number of stories of the home, the area covered by the dwelling, the possible presence of a garage, and even down to the basement, whether it was fully finished or not. It’s important to remember that the value you insure your home for is not necessarily a reflection of the current market value of your home or how much you think you could get for your home if you were to sell it today.

Most homeowners insurance policies do not automatically extend coverage for a business that is being run out of the home. That doesn’t mean it cannot be added, however. Contact one of our insurance advisors if you’re unsure whether your home-based business can be added to your homeowners insurance policy.

Within your homeowners insurance policy, the deductible is the amount that you agree to pay out of your own pocket before the insurance company gets involved to pay the remaining balance of a covered claim, up to the limit you have purchased in your policy. Depending on the homeowners policy you purchase, your main policy deductible can range from $500 to $5,000. The deducible you select should reflect the amount of risk you are willing to take on yourself. Keep in mind, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium, and vice versa.