Compare the best home insurance quotes in Lethbridge for free.

While property insurance in Lethbridge works the same way as other cities in Canada, there are some specific environmental risks to be aware of.

• Rain. Lethbridge gets about 275 millimetres of rain every year and spring and summer storms in the Prairies can drop large amounts of rain in a short period of time. This can flood basements and back up drainage systems. The more homeowners that make claims, the more likely your rates will increase.
• Flooding. Lethbridge is situated next to the Oldman River, which has a history of flooding. Insurance for overland floods isn’t often included in most policies, so you’ll need to pay extra for this coverage in the form of an insurance rider.
• Snow. Lethbridge gets an average of more than 110 centimetres of snow every year. Heavy snow, ice damming, freezing weather or a combination of these can cause damage to your home. Again, these might not always be covered by your insurance and you may need to get additional coverage.

Home insurance policies provide financial support if you ever need to repair your home, replace your belongings and cover legal costs in case anyone gets injured on your property and wants to sue. They can also help cover the cost of alternative accommodations if you need to relocate temporarily.

Generally speaking, house insurance in Lethbridge will cover:

• Repairs to structural damage caused by certain types of perils.
• A home’s contents, including the personal belongings of the home’s residents, and the belongings of guests. Personal belongings include electronics, clothing, silverware, jewelry, sporting equipment, trees and plants. However, most insurance policies do put a limit on these types of benefits.
• Liability, which protects the policyholder and family members from lawsuits as a result of bodily injuries. The insurance policy will pay legal costs up to the limit of the policy. What many people don’t know about home insurance is that a typical policy will also cover liability or negligence anywhere in North America.

Home insurance coverage in Lethbridge will include the following risks:

• Theft.
• Fire.
• Explosions.
• Lightning.
• Aircraft or vehicle impact.
• Smoke (from cooking or heating devices, but not fireplaces).
• Damage as a result of indoor plumbing freezing.
• Falling objects (except those caused by landslides, avalanches, or earthquakes).

Most home insurance providers in Lethbridge won’t cover uninsurable perils.

Some commonly excluded risks include:

• Damage caused by landslides or earthquakes.
• Water damage or flooding caused by floodwater.
• Damage as a result of indoor plumbing freezing caused by negligence.

However, coverage for these perils is available — but in order to get it, you have to buy it extra in the form of an insurance rider (also known as an insurance endorsement). The coverage is added to your base policy and it will increase your premium.

It’s important to ensure that you’ve purchased a policy and additional add-ons that adequately protect your assets, which is where endorsements could come in handy. For instance, excluded risks such as sewer backup and flooding caused by overland water are available as endorsements on your policy. While you may be able to buy a home insurance policy that excludes these items, our internal experts advise against it. This is because the damage caused by these risks may amount to expensive repair costs.

Standard homeowners insurance in Lethbridge comes in four different forms: comprehensive, basic, broad, basic and no frills.

Comprehensive - This kind of insurance covers both the structure and the contents of your home against all insurable perils. It’s important to note, however, that perils normally excluded by insurance companies won’t be covered with this policy.

Basic or Named Perils - This type of policy only covers the perils that are stated. While it will cost less, you also have to carry the financial risk of potential losses.

Broad - This policy is for those who want less coverage than what a comprehensive policy offers but more than a basic or named perils policy. While the structure of your home is covered under all insurable losses, the contents of your home are only protected against perils that you specify.

No-Frills - A no-frills policy is offered by some insurers for properties that don’t meet their regular standards. If these problems are fixed at a later date, you should be able to qualify for improved coverage in the future.

Home insurance doesn’t usually cover valuables, such as jewelry, collectibles, computers, sports equipment and fine art. In that case, there are insurance endorsements you can add to your policy. Depending on the insurer you choose, you may be able to get all of your valuables covered under the endorsement or you may need to purchase an increased jewelry endorsement.

Insurers also exclude coverage for damage caused by overland flooding, earthquakes, and landslides. If you’re concerned about any of these perils, consider purchasing an endorsement on top of your base policy.While purchasing extra coverage will likely increase home insurance premiums for Lethbridge residents, it’s important to ensure that your assets are adequately protected. If your assets aren’t properly protected, the costs of repairs and damages might outweigh the cost of additional coverage.

Everyone likes to save money and there are a number of ways to save on your home insurance. Here are a few ways you can reduce your premium:

• Bundle your home and auto insurance together.
• Install a home security system.
• Pay a larger deductible.
• Shop around and compare rates.

There isn’t one home insurance company that’s best for everyone. What’s important is that you find a policy that provides the coverage you want at an affordable price.

Before choosing an insurer, do some research on the company. Ask your friends and family about their experience with their current insurer. Keep in mind that home insurance premiums are based on a constellation of risk factors, each of which is weighted differently for every policyholder. Your neighbour may have gotten a great deal from their insurer, but that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed the same premium.

Also, don’t automatically assume the insurance company offering you the lowest rate is your best bet. Make sure you ask your broker or agent about what’s excluded from the policy before you buy it. Sure, being able to afford your premiums is important — skipping payment will void your insurance — but having inadequate coverage will cost you more in the long-run.

You can also check the annual J.D. Power Canada Home Insurance Satisfaction Study to see how the country’s major insurers are rated by consumers. Once you’ve completed your research and you know how much coverage you need, it’s time to choose a home insurance provider.

Here are some of the companies that offer home insurance in Lethbridge:

• Aviva
• Intact
• TD Insurance
• The Co-operators

LowestRates.ca can help renters and condo owners get property insurance. If you’re in the market for either of these policies, enter your postal code and indicate which type of coverage you need. We’ll show you 15+ quotes from Canada’s leading property insurance companies.. If you’re looking for more information about either of these products, visit our condo insurance or renters insurance pages.