Home Insurance in Aurora

Aurora home insurance coverage explained

Before you purchase a home insurance policy in Aurora, it’s important to understand the types of coverage available to you. As a homeowner, it’s all about finding coverage that meets the unique needs of your home. BrokerLink knows this, which is why we always strive to find personalized coverage, perfectly tailored to each of our customers. We can help Aurora residents find everything from vacation property & cottage insurance and condo insurance to standard homeowner’s insurance or rental property insurance. Learn more about some of the most important types of property coverage available to you below:

Dwelling coverage

Dwelling coverage insures the physical property of your home against damage. For example, if the roof, walls, or foundation of your home are damaged by an insured peril, dwelling coverage will cover you. Dwelling insurance only protects your home against damage caused by a specific set of perils. You get to choose these perils and they will be clearly stated in your policy. Some of the most commonly named perils in dwelling insurance policies are as follows:

• Fire
• Lightning
• Smoke
• Theft
• Wind
• Car / aircraft impact
• Explosion
• Falling objects

Content(s) coverage

Contents coverage protects the items inside your home from damage in a similar way to how dwelling coverage protects the structure of your home from damage. With contents coverage, an insurance company can pay to help repair or replace any lost or damaged items in your home, so long as they were lost or damaged due to a named peril in your policy. The perils for contents coverage are similar to that of dwelling coverage and may feature fire, falling objects, theft, smoke, etc. As with dwelling coverage, you will want to make sure that you purchase enough to cover the value of the items in your home. If you have lots of expensive items in your home, you may want to consider high value home insurance to ensure you would be protected in the event of a total loss. Examples of expensive items that may require high value home insurance include fine jewellery, artwork, musical instruments, vintage wine, and more. If most of the items in your home do not fall into this category, and instead are fairly standard, such as clothing and furniture, then basic contents coverage will likely be enough.

Personal liability coverage

Personal liability coverage is another important type of property insurance for Aurora homeowners. It is the only type of coverage that can protect you against legal claims, should any arise. Specifically, personal liability coverage will protect you from claims brought against you by third parties. For instance, if a neighbour stopped by your home and slipped and fell on your driveway, they could sue you for bodily injury. The cost of defending yourself in a lawsuit, let alone any possible settlement fees, would likely be very expensive. But if you have a home insurance policy that contains personal liability coverage, your insurance company would help cover these costs, as well as other costs associated with the lawsuit, like medical expenses.

Additional Aurora property insurance coverage worth considering

Protect yourself and your home against a broader range of risks by purchasing additional insurance. From home business coverage to equipment breakdown coverage, the following is a list of coverage types that may be worth considering for Aurora residents:

Home business coverage

Home business coverage essentially functions as commercial insurance. However, rather than purchasing a completely separate business insurance policy, you can purchase it as an add-on to your home insurance policy. Home business coverage is designed for people who run businesses out of their homes or who frequently work from home. Thus, it is suited to both business owners and employees of businesses. Ultimately, if you work out of your home frequently, home business coverage is important as regular home insurance will not cover you for losses relating to your business. For example, if a client visited your home, injured themselves, and sued you, your property insurance claim would likely be denied unless you had a business coverage endorsement. Contact BrokerLink for a professional opinion on whether home business coverage makes sense for your situation.

Equipment breakdown coverage

Equipment breakdown coverage is another home insurance add-on that can be worthwhile for many Aurora homeowners. With this coverage type, your insurance provider will step in and reimburse you for the cost of repairing or replacing a broken piece of equipment in your home if it breaks due to an internal failure, such as a mechanical or electrical failure. Before purchasing, be sure to inquire about the exact types of equipment it covers, though typically it will cover common household equipment like dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, ovens, air conditioners, furnaces, and more. It will cover mechanical breakdown, however only if it is sudden and accidental, it would not apply if the item was older and broke down due to wear and tear.

Sewer backup coverage

Sewer backup coverage is a form of flood insurance specifically designed to protect policyholders in the event of a sewer backup. Sewer backups can cause serious water damage, which can be very expensive to repair. That is what makes this coverage so important. Although adding sewer backup coverage to your policy will likely increase your rates, you can mitigate this insurance premium increase by installing a sewer backup detection device in your home, which may allow you to qualify for a home insurance discount.

Overland water coverage

Overland water coverage is a second type of flood insurance that is beneficial to many Aurora policyholders. Since Aurora is prone to heavy precipitation, especially during the winter months, the odds of a flood in your home may be higher. Overland water insurance covers you if your home suffers damage due to a nearby lake/river, overflow, heavy rain, or rapid snow melt.

The cost of Aurora home insurance explained

Many factors impact Aurora home insurance rates, which is why providing a cost estimate is so difficult. That said, you can get a better idea of what your rates will be by requesting a free quote from BrokerLink and by reading the following list, which outlines some of the top factors that insurance companies consider when calculating Aurora home insurance premiums:

• How valuable your home is
• How safe and desirable your neighbourhood is
• How close your home is located to emergency services
• The age and condition of the roof on your home
• The type, age, and condition of the heating system that your Aurora home uses (older systems like oil tanks or wood stoves may lead to higher premiums)
• The type, age, and condition of the electrical system in your Aurora home
• The type, age, and condition of the plumbing system in your Aurora home
• Whether your Aurora home is equipped with a security system, and if so, what type of system it has
• If there are any additional or detached structures on your property that need to be insured

How to qualify for reduced Aurora home insurance rates

BrokerLink wants to help Aurora customers save money on home insurance in any way we can. That is why our specialists have put together the following list of tips. Read on and discover all kinds of ways you can keep your Aurora property insurance premium low:

Assess your Aurora property insurance policy before renewing

Don’t make the mistake of letting your Aurora home insurance policy renew year after year. Instead, take the time to assess your policy and think critically about your coverage before letting it renew. This gives you an opportunity to update your policy or maybe even find a new one if you decide your existing plan is no longer serving you. A BrokerLink insurance advisor can offer advice on the different ways you can adjust your policy to save money, such as by reducing your coverage limits or selecting higher deductibles. A broker can also shop around for you to let you know if your current provider is still offering the best coverage at the most competitive price. If they're not, we can help you purchase a new policy that begins immediately after your current one expires.

Seek help from licenced home insurance specialist in Aurora

One of the best resources at your disposal when shopping for home insurance is an insurance broker. BrokerLink’s insurance brokers are fully licenced and have experience helping other Aurora homeowners find the right coverage for their needs. We will shop around and compare rates on your behalf to make sure that you never spend more on coverage than absolutely necessary.

Consider adding a monitored alarm system to your Aurora home

If you want to save money on home insurance, consider installing a home security system on your property. Many types of security systems, including monitored alarm systems or burglar alarm systems can allow you to qualify for a home insurance discount. Having one on your property deters crime, which reduces the odds of theft and thus the odds of you needing to file a home insurance claim. Learn more home security tips by contacting BrokerLink.

Bundle your Aurora home insurance plan with another insurance product

Save big by purchasing multiple insurance products from one provider. Many insurance companies are pleased to offer bundling discounts to those who buy more than one policy at once. The best part is that customers are often allowed to mix and match different policy types. Thus, you can try bundling home and auto policies or home and commercial policies and still save.

Increase the deductibles on your house insurance policy

All home insurance policies have deductibles. In fact, you will likely get to choose a deductible for every type of coverage in your policy. Think carefully about the deductibles you choose, as premiums and deductibles go hand in hand. In other words, the lower your deductibles, the higher your premium will be, and the higher your deductibles, the lower your premium will be. Thus, to save money, choose the highest deductibles you would be able to afford for your home insurance policy.

Go green

Buying a green home or taking steps to make your home more eco-friendly is another way to save money on Aurora home insurance. Taking steps that reduce your carbon footprint and minimize energy consumption, such as adding solar panels to your home, can allow you to qualify for a home insurance discount.

Pay for your Aurora home insurance policy upfront

Before agreeing to a certain payment plan with your insurance provider, be sure to ask if there are any hidden fees. Some companies give customers the option of paying yearly or monthly, but they charge administrative fees for every payment made, which makes the monthly option more expensive in the end. If your insurance company does this, try to pay your home insurance plan upfront in one payment if you can afford to do so.

Think carefully before buying a new home

There are all kinds of factors that influence home insurance costs, and many of them have to do with the specific characteristics of your home. For example, the neighbourhood it's located in, the condition of its electrical or plumbing system, and how close it is to emergency services can all influence your rates. Knowing these factors can help you choose a home that will result in a lower premium. For example, buying a home with modern heating, plumbing, and electrical systems or a new roof can translate to cheaper rates than one with outdated or old systems.

Install a sewer backup prevention device or sump pump on your Aurora property

Water damage is one of the most expensive types of damage. Thus, if you can reduce the odds of a flood in your home, a home insurance provider will reward you. That is why homeowners who install sump pumps or sewer backup detection devices on their properties may qualify for property insurance discounts.

Never miss an insurance payment

Making insurance payments late or missing them altogether can spell trouble. In a worst case scenario, missed payments can lead to your policy being cancelled. A cancelled policy might not sound like the worst thing in the world, but with this on your record, obtaining a policy in the future may be difficult and will almost certainly be expensive. You may also have to opt for a payment in full plan, rather than having a payment plan. That is why, if you are falling behind on payments or fear that you might be, we recommend contacting your insurance broker or agent as soon as possible. They may be willing to arrange a new plan with you that makes it easier for you to make your insurance payments on time and avoid a cancelled policy.

We’re in your community

BrokerLink is honoured to serve the Aurora community. We consider ourselves to be a part of every community we operate in, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly. If you want to learn more about how BrokerLink gives back to local communities across Ontario, contact us today.

Contact us

At Aurora BrokerLink, we’re here to help you with any insurance needs you may have. Whether it’s insuring your home, car, business, recreational items, or pets, let us help you find the best coverage possible.

You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any of our Ontario locations. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

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Aurora property insurance FAQs

Is home insurance required in Aurora?

Home insurance is not provincially regulated, which means the provincial government of Ontario does not require homeowners to purchase home insurance. However, you may be required to by other bodies. For example, homeowners who bought their Aurora home with a mortgage may need to purchase property insurance in accordance with their mortgage loan agreement. Similarly, renters in Aurora may need to purchase tenant and renters insurance in accordance with their lease agreement. Both mortgage lenders and landlords have the right to request that borrowers and tenants, respectively, purchase home insurance.

What can I do to make Aurora home insurance more affordable?

You can try bundling multiple insurance products into one, installing a burglar alarm system, sump pump, or sewer backup detection device in your home, paying for your policy yearly instead of monthly, buying a home with modern, updated features, taking advantage of home insurance tax deductibles, and enquiring about home insurance discounts you may be eligible for, such as employment or education-based discounts.

How do I avoid a fire in my Aurora home?

While you can never guarantee that a fire will not break out in your home, there are many precautions you can take to avoid this nightmare scenario. The first way to avoid a fire is by making sure that your home is equipped with smoke detectors on every floor and checking them regularly, replacing the batteries as needed. Having your furnace and chimney professionally inspected each year can also help, as can purchasing a fire extinguisher (or multiple) and training all members of your household on how to use them. Smaller tips to avoid a fire include never leaving open flames, such as candles, unattended, and limiting how many appliances are plugged into one electrical outlet. Given how catastrophic fire damage can be, the importance of fire safety cannot be understated.

What isn’t covered by Aurora property insurance?

All Aurora property insurance policies have exclusions, which will be clearly outlined in your policy. These exclusions may vary though most standard homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover homes that are damaged under the following circumstances: when they are left empty or vacant for a period of 30 consecutive days or more, due to business use instead of personal use, due to home renovations or updates, due to home sharing, and due to neglect or failure to maintain your home as a homeowner. This means that if damage occurs in relation to any of these circumstances, your home insurance provider is likely to deny your claim.

Are Aurora home insurance quotes free?

Yes, many Ontario insurance companies and brokers offer free quotes to Aurora homeowners. Free quotes can usually be requested over the phone, in person, or online.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.