Home Insurance in Yarmouth

Yarmouth home insurance

Despite Nova Scotia’s lack of a mandatory home insurance requirement, purchasing insurance is still one of the best methods to protect your home and property. The financial stability it offers against a range of threats, as well as the extra sense of assurance that comes with knowing you are covered for the unanticipated, make purchasing home insurance a popular option.

However, as mortgage lenders in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, require you to have house insurance in order to receive a loan, many prospective buyers in Yarmouth will still need to obtain house insurance before they are qualified for a mortgage. Furthermore, in some cases, landlords will request proof of your Yarmouth tenant and renters insurance or Yarmouth condo insurance before approving your rental application.

What to expect from your Yarmouth home insurance coverage

In the same way that no two Yarmouth homeowners are alike, neither are any two house insurance policies. However, Nova Scotia home insurance policies usually include specific types of coverage, such as dwelling, personal liability, and contents coverage. You may get a better idea of what to expect from your Yarmouth house insurance policy by reading the breakdowns of each main section of house insurance provided below by our team at BrokerLink:

Dwelling coverage

The importance of dwelling coverage should not be underestimated because it protects the house’s actual structure. This means that if the physical structure of your home is damaged by one of the insured risks, such as theft, wind, a falling object, or fire, your house insurance will help you. It’s important to keep in mind that dwelling coverage only protects the actual physical structure of your home, not its contents or the property on which it is built. Additional risks that are covered include explosions, lightning strikes, smoke damage, and collisions with vehicles or aircraft.

Personal liability coverage

If a Yarmouth resident has personal liability insurance, they are shielded from liability claims, particularly those brought by visitors who claim to have been hurt or to have had their property harmed while on the homeowner’s land. This kind of protection is necessary because, in the event that an accident takes place on your property, you, the property owner, might be held accountable.

Even without considering potential settlement costs, medical bills, and repair costs, paying for a lawsuit on your own could be challenging. However, because your Yarmouth house insurance policy includes personal liability coverage, you won’t have to finance these expenses out of pocket. Instead, your insurance company would assist in paying for a variety of expenses, including medical and legal costs.

Contents coverage

In the event of loss or damage, contents insurance can offer coverage for your possessions, including electronics, furniture, clothes, sporting goods, jewellery, and more. Basically, your insurer may reimburse you for the expense of repairing or replacing the damaged objects if the assets in your house are destroyed or stolen due to a covered risk, such as theft or fire. However, if you own any expensive jewellery or works of art, talk to your insurance advisor about extra coverage options, as contents coverage often has a predetermined maximum per item. You can also choose to add specific goods to your policy as floaters or riders, which will give them greater protection in the case of a loss.

Additional home insurance coverage options

For homeowners who want more comprehensive coverage options, BrokerLink also offers a variety of endorsements, riders, and add-ons that may be added to your standard Yarmouth house insurance plan, as standard house insurance may not always provide as much coverage as you need. These optional coverages include commercial property, equipment breakdown, and sewer backup. What these coverages provide is listed below:

Commercial business coverage

Anything done from home consistently or frequently for financial advantage is typically considered to fall under commercial business-use coverage. If your property is damaged or destroyed as a consequence of your business operations, this coverage provides financial security. Generally speaking, working on your own business from home would not be adequately covered by your typical house insurance policy.

Equipment breakdown coverage

We are all familiar with how expensive it is to repair or replace faulty home equipment. Equipment breakdown insurance is strongly advised because a broken piece of equipment, whether it is part of your HVAC system or a kitchen appliance like a dishwasher or refrigerator, can cause major financial setbacks.

Sewer backup coverage

Sewer backups are a frightening scenario for many homeowners. If sewage or wastewater accumulates and overflows through a toilet or sink, it’s a sewer backup, and your home can experience water damage if this occurs. Fortunately, if you choose to get a sewer backup coverage endorsement, it will help you financially recover.

What your Yarmouth home insurance may not cover

You can’t always rely on your standard Yarmouth house insurance policy to keep you safe, even though it provides very thorough coverage. There are restrictions on even homeowners insurance, which are described in your contract’s terms and conditions. Before or after obtaining your policy, you can speak with an insurance expert to verify any exclusions in your coverage. Every time you purchase new homeowner’s insurance coverage, it is critical to understand what is and is not covered. The following situations are typically not covered by standard house insurance:

Renovations

If damage occurs as a result of a renovation job, homeowner’s insurance might not cover it. This is due to the higher risk associated with house modifications. Consult an insurance broker if your home will be renovated to determine the type of coverage you require. Don't forget to notify your insurance provider once the work is over to make sure your house is still adequately covered following the upgrades.

A vacant home

If your house will be empty for more than 30 days, you must let your insurance company know. Possessing an empty house could result in an insurance premium increase as it puts the house at a higher risk of claims. Additionally, most insurance providers insist that you assign someone to check on your house at least once every 72 hours. Your insurer may deny your claims if there is loss or damage if you choose not to appoint a house sitter when you’re away. Therefore, if you routinely take lengthy vacations throughout the year, make sure to notify your insurance advisor in advance and arrange for a house sitter.

Home sharing

These days, many people use websites like Airbnb and VBRO to rent out their houses in order to make extra money. Just be sure to inform your insurance advisor if you intend to rent out your house, even for a brief period of time. Renting adds additional risks to your home, and neglecting to inform your insurance broker could result in the cancellation of your house insurance.

Neglecting your home

In some cases, an insurer may reject your claim if they believe that you failed to maintain your house and that this carelessness contributed to the loss or damage you are submitting a claim for. For instance, if a window was left open that let water slowly seep in, your wall would eventually sustain serious water damage and decay. Therefore regular maintenance of your home can safeguard your house insurance coverage. Consider using a professional company to look after your property if you lack the time or expertise to do it.

Here’s how you can save money on your house insurance in Yarmouth

We at BrokerLink strive to make it simpler for homeowners to locate reputable coverage at reasonable costs. We pledge to investigate every opportunity to save you money. Check out the advice we’ve given below on methods to reduce the cost of your Yarmouth house insurance policy, including bundling home and auto insurance, what to consider when buying a property, adding an alarm system, and more:

Bundle home insurance with other policies

Multiple insurance policies, such as home and auto insurance, home and business insurance, or even several house insurance policies, like house insurance and vacation property & cottage insurance, can be bundled together to significantly reduce the cost of insurance. You could save somewhere between 5% and 15% on each plan, based on the insurance company.

Increase your policy deductible

Even if insurance covers you from financial damages, the policyholder still has financial responsibilities. Policyholders are required to pay their insurance deductible before their provider pays out the remaining costs of an insurable loss. How much you decide to pay for your deductible amount is entirely up to you, but ordinarily, a house insurance deductible varies between $1,000 to $2,000.

Review your coverage frequently

We strongly encourage you to review your policy before renewing. This may assist you in identifying any coverage you may be paying for but no longer need. If you’re having difficulties deciding which coverage to keep or looking into changing house insurance policies and your policy is set to expire, speak with your insurance broker today.

Consider all factors when buying your home

Consider whether the house is located near a fire hydrant or a fire station, particularly if your home is located in a rural area. Depending on how close emergency services are to your property, it can mean the difference between minor smoke damage and total destruction of your home in the event of a house fire. As a result, you can be qualified for an insurance discount if your home is adjacent to a fire station or a fire hydrant.

Owners of swimming pools frequently pay more for their home’s insurance because of the significant liability risks that being in possession of a pool brings. As a result, to save on the added insurance expenses related to owning a pool, consider a home without one if having one is not a must.

Install a home security system

You may be qualified for a security system discount on your house insurance if you implement a monitored alarm system on your property. Before making a purchase, though, be sure to ask your insurance broker about the terms of this discount. There is generally a list of specific home alarm systems that are recognized by the majority of insurance providers.

Get advice from a Yarmouth BrokerLink insurance broker

You might be excited to learn that there are several insurance savings available to Yarmouth residents. For instance, long-term customers, members of groups or associations, and nonsmokers may qualify for some discounts. You can find out more about the numerous ways you could save on your homeowner’s insurance by speaking with one of our knowledgeable insurance consultants at BrokerLink. A Yarmouth insurance broker can assist you in procuring high-quality homeowner’s insurance swiftly and easily. Every BrokerLink insurance advisor has years of experience, is licenced,, and is committed to assisting families in locating the finest insurance solutions.

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Why work with a BrokerLink broker

Since 1991, the BrokerLink team has been dedicated to finding insurance policies that meet the needs and budgets of our customers. We are experts in all things Yarmouth insurance and can ensure you receive the most competitive rate on your policy.

We’re in your community

Getting involved in the community is a big part of who we are. We live and work with you in your town! We love meeting our local community members!

Contact us

At Yarmouth 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 get in touch with us via phone, email, or by stopping by one of our many offices across Nova Scotia. Additionally, we suggest using our free quote tool. It can provide you with a free estimate on house insurance in just a few minutes.

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FAQs on Nova Scotia house insurance

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