Home Insurance in Kingston

Quality home insurance in Kingston

Unlike auto insurance, home insurance is not a government requirement in Kingston. That said, if you need a mortgage to purchase your home, then chances are your mortgage lender will require you to have home insurance. Even if you buy a home with cash, it’s wise to have a quality home insurance policy to protect your property and its contents should something go wrong.

Home insurance policies in Kingston vary and will ultimately depend on the amount of coverage you select. However, the most standard coverage options typically include:

Dwelling

Dwelling insurance covers the physical building and structure you reside in (i.e. your physical home). If your house is damaged by an insured peril, you may be protected thanks to your dwelling coverage. Examples of insured perils are:

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

Contents

Unlike dwelling insurance which covers the physical structure of your home, contents coverage protects the belongings inside your home from loss or damage. Items that contents insurance may cover include furniture, clothing, electronics, jewellery, and sporting equipment.

Personal liability

If a third party, such as a house guest, injures themselves while on your property, you could be held liable. In such an instance, you might be responsible for paying any associated legal or medical costs. Though this may seem like nothing to worry about, the cost of a lawsuit or medical expenses adds up quickly. Luckily, most homeowners insurance policies include personal liability coverage, which means your insurance company could help cover these costs. Personal liability can also cover you if your house or property causes damage to a neighbouring house.

What is not covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy in Kingston?

Now that you know what to expect from a standard home insurance policy in Kingston, let’s dive into what’s not included. With almost all homeowners insurance policies, there are several circumstances that are not covered, and your coverage can even be voided if you fail to disclose this information. The following situations are not typically covered under a standard home insurance policy in Kingston:

Home sharing

Some homeowners choose to earn extra income by listing their property on short-term or vacation rental websites like Airbnb or VRBO. This is sometimes referred to as home sharing. You must let your insurance broker know if you’re a host on Airbnb or any other home sharing platform. If you fail to disclose this information and your property is damaged, your home insurance policy may be void.

Vacant home

If your home is empty for an extended period, your home insurance coverage can also become void. Most policies do not allow a property to be vacant for more than a month at a time. So if you are planning on taking an extended vacation (perhaps you’re a recent retiree turned snowbird), be sure you let your insurance broker know to ensure your home will still be covered for the duration of your trip.

Failing to maintain

One final situation in which your Kingston home insurance policy may become invalid is if you neglect the maintenance of your home and allow it to fall into a state of disrepair. For example, if your roof is missing shingles and water damage results from it, your insurance provider can refuse to cover you for the damage.

Additional insurance coverage options for your Kingston home insurance policy

If you want more home insurance coverage than a standard plan offers, there are several additional coverage options you can add to your policy. These may be referred to as riders or endorsements. Speak with your broker if you are interested in any of the additional homeowners insurance coverage types below:

Business coverage

If you operate a business from your home, you will likely require a business insurance add-on. This is because a standard homeowners insurance policy does not cover businesses. Therefore, if your home was damaged as a result of your business operations, your home insurance wouldn’t cover it. So if your business is linked to your home address, be sure to purchase additional business coverage to go with your home insurance policy.

Equipment breakdown

This type of additional home insurance coverage is useful in situations involving a sudden or unexpected failure of the equipment in your home. Such equipment may include your washer/dryer, kitchen appliances, HVAC units (air conditioner, furnace, heat pump, etc.), or your security system. While not mandatory, this can be incredibly worthwhile, especially given how expensive equipment can be to fix or replace.

Sewer backup

One last type of additional coverage popular among Kingston homeowners is sewer backup. After all, a sewer backup can be a homeowner’s nightmare. A sewer backup can take a serious toll on your home, leading to damage that is incredibly costly to repair. So if this isn’t already included in your home insurance policy, you may want to think about adding it.

How can I save on home insurance in Kingston?

Want to save money on Kingston home insurance? The experts at BrokerLink have put together a few tips on how you can minimize how much you pay for homeowners insurance:

Install a security system in your home

Installing a home security system is one way to potentially save some money on your home insurance. Be sure you speak with an insurance broker before you purchase a new security system as not all systems will result in savings.

Bundle and save

The more insurance you buy from a company, the more money you can save. For this reason, we recommend bundling multiple insurance policies together if you want to save money on home insurance. For example, insuring your car and home with the same provider can result in discounts of up to 15% on each respective policy.

Increase your deductible

Another way to save money on home insurance is to increase your deductible. A general rule of thumb in the insurance industry is that the higher your deductible, the lower your insurance premium. A deductible is the amount of money the policyholder (you) are responsible for paying toward an insured loss in the event of damage. All types of insurance policies have deductibles. Therefore, one way to save money on Kingston home insurance is to take on more responsibility by raising the deductible on your homeowners insurance policy. That said, increasing your deductible is not a decision that should be made lightly. Speak with an expert insurance advisor at BrokerLink to understand the impact of increasing your home insurance deductible.

Make annual payments

When you purchase any type of insurance, including home insurance, you typically have the option to pay for the policy annually or in monthly installments. While monthly installments might seem like the better option, each payment typically comes with administrative fees. Therefore, paying for your Kingston home insurance policy annually is often cheaper than paying for it monthly.

Talk to a BrokerLink expert to get the Kingston home insurance that fits your lifestyle

If you still aren’t sure what the best home insurance policy is for you, don’t worry. Our brokers are licensed insurance experts, and they are available to help you find the right insurance coverage. Our team will take the time to understand your specific circumstances and what you need covered. We will then create a policy that’s tailored to your unique needs and lifestyle. This way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your Kingston home and its contents are protected.

Call BrokerLink now for your home insurance needs in Kingston

Ready to purchase Kingston home insurance? Whether you have questions about working with an insurance broker, want to ask one of our brokers for advice on the best homeowners insurance policy for you, or wish to request a free quote, BrokerLink can help.

BrokerLink’s team of insurance experts is available to help Kingston residents find the best possible home insurance plans for them. Simply give us a call or visit us in person to get started. You can also request a free home insurance quote using our online quote tool. Answer a few basic questions about yourself and your home and you’ll receive an accurate and competitive quote in minutes.

No matter how you choose to get in touch, our Kingston insurance advisors will be happy to assist you.

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