Home Insurance in Brant

Mandatory home insurance in Brant

Before we dive into the coverage that Brant home insurance provides, let’s first consider home insurance requirements in Brant. It is important for Brant homeowners to understand that in some circumstances, they may be required to purchase a home insurance policy. Whether they are required to do so and what specific type of policy they must purchase depends on the situation. For example, if you buy your home with a mortgage, your mortgage lender or bank may require that you purchase homeowner’s insurance coverage. Meanwhile, if you lease a home, no matter what type, in Brant, your landlord may require you to buy a kind of home insurance known as tenant insurance. Read our free tenant insurance guide to learn more about how tenant insurance can protect renters from a wide range of risks.

Customized property insurance policies for Brant customers

A broker for home insurance can help Brant customers with a variety of tasks. From finding you an affordable policy to offering an opinion on your coverage needs to explaining the differences between home insurance vs. homeowner’s insurance, there is so much that a BrokerLink broker can do for you. Perhaps most importantly, an insurance broker can break down exactly how home insurance works and what you can expect from your policy. Below, BrokerLink’s team of property insurance specialists has outlined a list of coverages typically included in standard Brant home insurance plans:

Dwelling coverage

As soon as you start looking through Ontario home insurance, you will discover that most include some form of dwelling coverage. Dwelling coverage is designed to protect the physical structure of your home, meaning if your home’s structure is damaged, you can receive compensation for the damages under this portion of your policy. However, dwelling coverage does not protect against property damage caused by just anything. Rather, the damage must have been caused by a peril that is clearly named in your policy, otherwise known as an insured peril or a covered loss. Below is a list of insured perils commonly covered by dwelling insurance:

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

Contents coverage

Contents coverage fills the gap that dwelling coverage leaves. In other words, where dwelling coverage protects the structure of your home, contents coverage protects the items inside your home (i.e. your personal belongings). Again, you will only be reimbursed for damages or losses to your personal items under the contents coverage of your home insurance policy if the damage was caused by an insured peril. Insured perils for contents coverage are similar to that of dwelling coverage, but be sure to ask your insurance broker for a complete rundown. It is also important to confirm which items will be protected as not all items, especially high-value ones, may be covered. That said, you can typically expect your contents coverage to protect items like electronics., furniture, artwork, and jewellery, from damage.

Personal liability coverage

Personal liability coverage is another key element of most Brant property insurance policies. This section of your policy, unlike the two above, does not deal with property damage. Instead, it deals with liability claims. As you probably know, lawsuits are expensive, meaning if a single one is filed against you, it could have serious and long-term financial consequences. Luckily, with personal liability coverage, your insurer may help cover the costs of a lawsuit (including defence and settlement fees) in the event that a third party makes a bodily injury or property damage claim against you. Get in touch with a BrokerLink Brant insurance advisor to learn more about the importance of personal liability coverage, including the many ways that homeowners can be found liable.

What other home insurance coverage should I add to my residential property insurance policy?

Each Brant homeowner has their own home insurance needs, so it can be difficult to make a coverage suggestion without understanding your unique situation. That said, there are a few types of additional coverage that are often beneficial for Brant homeowners. These include commercial business coverage, equipment breakdown coverage, and sewer backup coverage. We go into detail about a few of these extra home insurance coverages below:

Commercial business coverage

Running a business out of your home is not without risk, whether you run it out of an office or out of your home. That said, depending on where your business is located, your insurance needs vary. So if you operate a home business, the best move you can make is to add a business coverage endorsement to your home insurance policy. Without one, if a damage or loss occurs that relates to your home business, your standard homeowner’s insurance policy may not cover you, leaving you to pay for the cost of the damage on your own. Avoid the financial burden of such a situation with a commercial business coverage add-on.

Equipment breakdown coverage

All Brant homes have several pieces of equipment in them, from washers and dryers to refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, air conditioners, furnaces, and more. This equipment plays a vital role in the home, from maintaining its year-round temperature to allowing you to cook and clean. Given the importance of home appliances and equipment, it’s no wonder why some policyholders choose to add equipment breakdown coverage to their home insurance policies. Equipment breakdown coverage offers financial protection in the event that your home’s covered appliances suffer an electrical or mechanical failure and stop working. In this situation, your insurer may step in and help pay for the cost of replacing or repairing the damaged unit. If you’re interested in adding an equipment breakdown rider to your Brant home insurance policy, contact an insurance broker to inquire about the cost and confirm which pieces of equipment are eligible for coverage.

Sewer backup coverage

Sewer backups may not seem like that big a deal, but they can wreak havoc on your home - not to mention how much it would cost to repair the extensive water damage. Therefore, we recommend adding sewer backup coverage to your home insurance policy. This kind of coverage can help alleviate the financial burden of having to pay for repair following a sewer backup in your home.

If you want an expert opinion on whether these coverages are worth adding to your policy, speak with a BrokerLink insurance advisor today.

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What you should not expect your Brant home insurance policy to cover

While some Brant home insurance policies are comprehensive, there are some circumstances that even the most comprehensive policies won’t cover. The following is a list of situations that you should not expect your Brant home insurance policy to cover:

Home sharing in Brant

Home sharing, even if you’re just renting out part of your home for a short-term stay, will likely require additional coverage. This means that if you only have a standard Brant homeowner’s insurance policy, this is unlikely to cover you if a guest damages your home while staying there. The best thing you can do to avoid not being covered is to notify your insurance broker as soon as possible. They can review your policy and let you know what limitations there are around home sharing. From there, they can recommend additional coverage to ensure you are protected when guests stay at your home.

An empty Brant home

Empty or vacant Brant homes, especially if they are left this way for long periods of time, may also not be covered by a typical home insurance policy. This is because the longer your home is empty, the more at risk it becomes - especially for theft. So before embarking on a months-long adventure, remember to let your insurance company know. They can inform you of any additional coverage you may need to buy if you want your house to be protected from damages while it is empty. We also recommend asking a friend, neighbour, or other designated caretaker to check in on your property every couple of days.

A Brant home in a state of disrepair

If you submit a home insurance claim alleging property damage, but the insurer discovers that damage was caused because you allowed your home to fall into a state of disrepair, your claim may not be approved. Insurance companies are within their rights to protect home insurance claims when the damage was the result of the homeowner failing to properly maintain their home. To avoid having your claim rejected for your reason, make sure to keep your home in tip-top shape.

A Brant home that is undergoing renovation

A Brant home that is in the midst of a renovation may also not be covered by your insurance policy. Why? Due to the fact that the risk of damage increases while your home is being renovated. So if you want to be covered during an update, you will have to speak with your home insurance provider first.

Find Brant home insurance on a budget

BrokerLink is dedicated to helping Brant customers of all budgets find quality home insurance solutions. We believe that home insurance should be affordable and accessible to everyone, and we do everything we can to make this a reality. To get a reduced rate and find a Brant home insurance policy, no matter your budget, check out the following tips:

Take the time to review your home insurance coverage regularly

If your home insurance policy isn’t working for you, don’t hesitate to update it. In fact, we recommend reviewing your coverage before it is up for renewal to assess whether your coverage needs are still being met. By doing so, you might discover that you are paying for coverage you no longer need, or that you can afford to raise your deductible or lower some of your coverage limits. This could save you money down the line. Seek advice from a professional on whether your current home insurance policy is working for you by contacting BrokerLink.

Reduce the risk of theft by installing a home security system

One way to save money on home insurance is to install an alarm system in your home. A security system like a monitored alarm system can reduce the odds of theft and other crime, which in turn, may allow you to qualify for a discount on your Brant home insurance policy.

Bundle insurance plans to save money

Purchase multiple insurance products to qualify for a discount of up to 15% per policy. Many insurance providers let customers choose two of the same policy (e.g. two home insurance policies) or even mix and match policies, such as bundling home and auto policies.

Pay for your Brant home insurance policy yearly for the best rate

Why spend money on hefty transaction fees if you don’t have to? Many insurance companies charge a fee every time you make a payment, but there is no easy way to avoid this - by paying for your policy upfront! If you pay for your home insurance policy yearly, you will only have to pay once, which means having to pay for one transaction fee instead of twelve.

Buy a home without a pool

Although having a pool in your backyard may sound appealing, the reality is that home insurance for homes with pools is generally much higher. This is because pools are major liability risks. For this reason, if keeping home insurance costs down is a priority for you, we suggest not buying a home with a pool or having one installed on the property.

Buy a Brant property next to a fire hydrant or fire station

Fire safety is crucial to mitigating risk as a homeowner. That is why many insurance companies will give discounts to policyholders whose homes are located near fire hydrants or fire stations. Having a home near such an emergency service drastically reduces the risk of a fire causing serious damage to your home.

Inquire about other insurance discounts you may qualify for

There are tons of insurance discounts available to Brant homeowners. The key is to ask an insurance broker about them. Unfortunately, many Brant customers are unaware of all the ways that they can save money on insurance. But by working with a broker with knowledge of the industry, you can learn about a variety of insurance discounts, such as those offered by universities, certain employers, or even those offered to non-smokers.

Ask for help from a BrokerLink Brant insurance advisor

For the ultimate insurance savings, contact BrokerLink Brant. Consulting with a licenced, professional, and qualified insurance broker is one of the best solutions for those who want to find affordable home insurance.

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We’re in your community

We strive to give back to the community and provide excellent customer service at every turn. BrokerLink operates with our core values in mind: generosity, respect, integrity, excellence, and community. So think of BrokerLink as a member of the Brant community, and get in touch today.

Contact us

At Brant 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 one of our locations throughout Ontario. 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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