Home Insurance in Burlington

Burlington basic property insurance coverage

Start protecting your Burlington home today with home insurance. Property insurance can safeguard your home and its contents from risk. Plus, it can provide Burlington homeowners with peace of mind knowing that they are covered in the event of an accident. To learn more about Burlington home insurance coverage, including what it typically covers, keep reading:

1. Dwelling coverage

The first key component of house insurance in Burlington is dwelling coverage. This type of insurance aims to cover your physical home (e.g. its building and structure). If your Burlington property is damaged by a covered peril, such as fire or theft, you may be covered under this portion of your policy. Perils change from policy to policy, but common examples of perils covered by dwelling coverage are:

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

2. Contents coverage

Unlike dwelling coverage that protects the building and structure of your Burlington property, contents coverage protects the personal belongings or items inside your home. Be sure to carefully review your policy to learn exactly which items in your home may be covered by contents coverage in the event of loss or damage. Examples of items commonly covered are furniture, clothing, jewellery, sporting equipment, and electronics.

3. Personal liability coverage

Finally, many Burlington home insurance policies feature some form of personal liability coverage. This type of coverage will be useful if a third party, such as a guest or neighbour, injures themselves while visiting your property. In such an instance, you could be held liable, which means you could be forced to pay for the applicable costs. But with Burlington property insurance, the personal liability portion of your policy can cover these fees, as well as any costs in the event your home causes damage to a neighbour’s home.

Additional property insurance coverage available to Burlington residents

Standard home insurance may not be enough for some Burlington homeowners. If you want coverage beyond dwelling, contents, and personal liability, consider the additional property insurance options below. Many insurance companies in Ontario offer extra coverage options for those policyholders in need of extra protection. From commercial coverage and equipment breakdown coverage to sewer backup coverage, check out the following types of home insurance coverage that may be available for Burlington homeowners:

1. Commercial coverage

Do you operate a home business? If so, then a home business insurance rider might be worthwhile. Thankfully, you might be able to add one to your Burlington home insurance policy. Keep in mind that most basic homeowners insurance policies in Ontario do not cover damage or losses that result from business operations. Therefore, if an incident occurred as a result of your home business, but you didn’t add commercial insurance to your policy, your insurer may not cover you.

2. Equipment breakdown coverage

Equipment breakdown insurance can also be helpful. The way it works is as follows: if a piece of equipment in your Burlington house suddenly fails or breaks down, equipment breakdown coverage will step in. The exact equipment this insurance covers can vary, however, it often includes common household appliances, like washers, dryers, HVAC units, and kitchen appliances. Given the high cost of fixing broken household equipment, this added protection can be worthwhile for many Burlington homeowners.

3. Sewer backup coverage

Sewer backup insurance is one final type of coverage that Burlington homeowners may wish to add to their homeowner’s insurance policies. Adding this coverage to your policy can help you pay for the costs of repairs to your home in the event of damage caused by a sewer backup (and as many residents know, water damage from a sewer backup can be extensive).

We wish to note that the extra home insurance coverages listed above are usually added to existing house insurance policies as riders, add-ons, or endorsements.

What may not be covered by your Burlington home insurance

Home insurance policies are designed to protect one’s home, but that protection has limits. Burlington residents must understand that all homeowner’s insurance policies come with terms and conditions. These terms typically outline the limits to their coverage or even the exact circumstances in which a policyholder’s coverage will become void. For example, many home insurance policies do not cover vacant homes, home sharing, or damage that occurs during renovations. For this reason, before purchasing a policy, make sure to carefully read the terms and conditions or contact an experienced insurance broker to help with this. To shed some light on what most home insurance policies do not cover, the experts at BrokerLink have put together a list of circumstances that can void your property coverage:

Home sharing

Renting out one’s home for short stays is now very common throughout Canada, thanks to popular home sharing platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. Although home sharing can represent a lucrative form of income, it also increases your risk as a homeowner. For this reason, many home insurance policies do not cover damage or losses that occur due to home sharing. So if you plan to turn your home into a short-term rental and want to be covered by your home insurance coverage while renters are staying there, remember to speak with your insurance provider beforehand. You may likely need to add additional coverage or purchase a new policy to ensure you have the protection you need.

Vacant home

If you leave your Burlington property empty for long periods of time (such as more than 30 consecutive days), your coverage could become void if you fail to notify your insurance company. This is because vacant homes can raise your house insurance rates. Before leaving for a long-term vacation, contact an insurance broker or agent near you. If you fail to notify your insurer and a loss or damage occurs while you are traveling, your existing Burlington home insurance policy may not cover you, which means you would be responsible for covering any related costs out-of-pocket.

Failing to maintain

Neglecting the maintenance of your Burlington home is another reason that your homeowner’s insurance policy may become void. Allowing a home to fall into a state of disrepair can have serious consequences for your insurance coverage. For example, if the roof on your home has missing shingles and you fail to repair them, which causes water damage, your insurance company may refuse to pay for the necessary repairs.

Renovations

Last but not least, your Burlington home insurance policy may not cover you if damage occurs due to a renovation. Therefore, if you have plans to renovate your home, contact an insurance broker beforehand. Many homeowners don’t realize that updates like renovations can influence the cost of homeowner’s insurance.

How to lower your home insurance premiums in Burlington

We never want Burlington residents to overpay for home insurance. For this reason, we do everything we can to find top-notch coverage at affordable rates for our customers. Specifically, BrokerLink’s insurance advisors will shop around on your behalf and compare quotes to ensure you get the most competitive rate. Plus, our licensed brokers are always eager to share their best money-saving tips for home insurance. Never overspend on Burlington homeowner’s insurance again by following the expert tips below:

1. Outfit your Burlington home with a security system

Outfitting your Burlington home with a security system could allow you to save big on property insurance. Some insurers are willing to provide discounts to policyholders that install certain types of home security systems on their properties, due to the added layer of protection they offer. Get in touch with BrokerLink Burlington to find out more more about the specific types of security systems that may allow you to qualify for a home insurance discount.

2. Bundle home insurance + auto insurance and save

Another way to save money on Burlington home insurance is to bundle multiple insurance policies together. If you are interested in buying more than one policy (e.g. home insurance + auto insurance or home insurance + business insurance, or even two different types of home insurance including condo insurance), consider buying them from the same company. Purchasing multiple insurance policies from the same insurance provider could result in saving of up to 15% per policy.

3. Increase your policy deductible

Increasing the deductible on your Burlington home insurance policy is another quick tip for saving money on home insurance (or any type of insurance, for that matter). Whether it’s car insurance or home insurance, a higher deductible often means a lower premium. That said, before raising your Burlington homeowner’s insurance deductible, it’s important to learn what a deductible is and the consequences of increasing it. For example, the more you raise your deductible, the more you will have to pay toward a loss. That is why Burlington homeowners should always avoid increasing their deductibles beyond an amount you can afford to pay in the event of a claim. Contact BrokerLink Burlington for more information and expert advice on home insurance deductibles.

4. Pay for your home insurance policy annually rather than monthly

Burlington homeowners can also save money on home insurance by paying for their policies annually rather than monthly. Many insurance companies charge administrative fees along with each payment you make, which is why paying off your insurance in one instalment versus twelve instalments can save you money. So if you have the option of paying for your Burlington home insurance policy monthly or yearly, be sure to ask about the fees associated with each.

5. Avoid buying a house with a pool

If you wish to save money on home insurance, you should avoid buying a home with a swimming pool. Swimming pools are a liability risk which can make your insurance premium higher. Pools can also increase the value of your home, therefore making your home premium higher due to the replacement value they require.

6. Buy a house near a fire hydrant or fire station

Some insurance providers offer discounts to policyholders whose homes are located near emergency services, such as fire hydrants or fire stations. If you’re interested in saving money on home insurance and live near a fire station or other emergency service provider in Burlington, contact an insurance broker. They can let you know of the specific conditions that need to be met to qualify for this type of home insurance discount.

7. Consult with a BrokerLink insurance broker in Burlington

The last way to save money on home insurance in Burlington is to enlist the help of a BrokerLink insurance broker. The BrokerLink team consists of fully licensed insurance advisors, each of whom is committed to matching our customers with the best great coverage. We will take the time to learn your unique needs and will dedicate ourselves to finding a Burlington home insurance policy that meets them. Plus, we handle everything, which makes shopping for Burlington house insurance simpler and more convenient than ever before. If you want a home insurance expert who will guide you through the ins and outs world of home insurance and save you money, get in touch with BrokerLink Burlington today.

[phone]

We’re in your community

Getting involved in the community is a big part of who we are. We live and work in your community. We love meeting our neighbours!

Contact us

At Burlington 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 home insurance quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

Get a home insurance quote [phone]

FAQs on Burlington home insurance

For more FAQs, visit the BrokerLink FAQs page.