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November 8
Agents were kind
Agents were kind , gentle helpful & fast & truthful. Can't really give them anyt...
Allan Mclean
November 7
Friendly
Friendly, compationate and reasonable. Thank you very much.
Hugh Macdonald
November 7
Excellent customer service
Excellent customer service
Ahmed Moktar
November 7
Pleased I looked at their website
Fast, efficient, great advice / recommendations. Well worth the chat.
Sylvia
November 7
Very polite and efficient
Very polite and efficient, got me in contact right away for insurance.quick proc...
John
November 4
The ladies I talked they were very…
The ladies I talked they were very polite and profesional.
Themis Themistocleous
November 4
Fast and easy transaction
Fast and easy transaction
Nelson Deniega
November 1
Good work- Good rate
Good work- Good rate
David Shin
November 1
easy to use and very helpful
easy to use and very helpful
Muhammad Ahsan
October 30
Excellent service
Excellent service! Highly recommend
Kaily Meilleur
October 30
I received a follow up almost…
I received a follow up almost immediately. Very professional customer service.
Tetyana
October 29
Site was easy to use and I recieved a…
Site was easy to use and I recieved a call immediately to assist me further. Ve...
Telma Fletcher
October 26
This is great
This is great, no need to shop around..save time..all I have to do is choose whi...
Marizabel Bildan
October 26
Very quick and easy to use
Very quick and easy to use. Good information produced very quickly.
Brian Hill
October 25
Was perfect
Was perfect
yahya husam

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Ottawa home insurance

Ottawa, Canada’s capital, is a beautiful place to live, especially if you’re into picturesque views with lots of trees and historical buildings. The city is also super clean, laid-back and family-friendly, radiating that ‘small town charm.’

Even so, homeowners in Ottawa, who value their possessions and property, need home insurance to protect them from damage, theft or legal liabilities. Though home insurance is not mandatory for homeowners in Ottawa, it is often required by banks and mortgage lenders for financing your home. Even if you disregard mortgage, home insurance is still a good idea – given how big of an investment your home is.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) is the regulatory body for Ontario's property and casualty as well as the general insurance sector. Its role is to ensure that insurance providers and sellers are licensed, and follow the legislation for property and casualty insurance.

Different types of home insurance coverage in Ottawa

Homeowners seeking insurance in Ottawa should consider the diverse types of coverage available to them, including:

Commonly covered perils

House insurance protects your Ottawa home and its contents against a variety of unexpected perils. Most basic policies protect you against the following:

Common optional endorsements/coverages

There are many optional endorsements that can be added to home insurance policies, including:

How we find you the best home insurance in Ottawa.

Like with the rest of Canada, home insurance is not a legal requirement for Ottawa homeowners, but it’s essentially a must-have. That’s because most banks and lenders require mortgage holders to also have home insurance. And when you consider what homes represent — security, family, shelter, community — it’s no wonder they need to be protected.

For many property owners, home insurance — which can also refer to condo and tenant insurance — can be confusing. What exactly does it cover? How much coverage do you need? How do you purchase coverage? That’s where we can help. LowestRates.ca compares the insurance market for you and connects you with a qualified home insurance agent or broker serving Ottawa.

This ensures that you’ll find the right amount of coverage, at the right price, for your property’s unique needs.

This page will provide an overview of everything you need to know about purchasing home insurance in Ottawa, Ontario. Read along and make sure you’re well-informed before taking out a policy to protect what’s likely your most important investment.

When you’re ready, take three minutes to compare home insurance rates in Ottawa. We’ll show you home insurance quotes from 50+ Canadian providers. It’s free and no-obligation and by shopping the market, you’ll know that you’ll have found the best price on home insurance in Ottawa.

Factors that determine your home insurance quote in Ottawa

Your home insurance policy will be customized to suit your needs and the property you’re insuring.

Home insurance premiums are determined by dwelling type (is it a single-detached home, a house with a basement tenant suite, or a condo?). Insurance companies also try to predict the kind and size of claim you might make in the future.

Here are some of the criteria insurance companies look at when calculating your premium.

  • The square footage of your home.
  • Contents and quality of construction.
  • The location of your home.
  • Distance to a fire hydrant.
  • Your insurance claims history.
  • The age of your roof.
  • Your home’s plumbing.
  • Your home’s electrical system.

Risk factors for homeowners in Ottawa

Perils that are specific to Ottawa

Perils property insurance won’t cover in Ottawa

Unfortunately, not every unexpected peril that can impact your home is covered by basic home insurance. Here are a few events that usually require additional coverage:

Outline of a house. Illustration.

See how our customers in Ottawa save big on home insurance.

Type of homeLocationPrevious claimsLowest rateAverage rateSaved
Quote from November 07, 2024
Type of home
Semi-detached 1,294 sq ft
Location
Ottawa
Previous claims
None
Lowest Rate
$66/mth
$790/yr
Average rate
$111/mth
$1,331/yr
Saved
$45/mth
$540/yr (41.00%)
Quote from November 07, 2024
Type of home
Townhouse 1,900 sq ft
Location
Ottawa
Previous claims
None
Lowest Rate
$91/mth
$1,087/yr
Average rate
$119/mth
$1,433/yr
Saved
$29/mth
$348/yr (24.00%)
Quote from November 07, 2024
Type of home
Townhouse 1,491 sq ft
Location
ottawa
Previous claims
None
Lowest Rate
$85/mth
$1,020/yr
Average rate
$182/mth
$2,186/yr
Saved
$97/mth
$1,164/yr (53.00%)
Home insurance quotes are compared from CAA, Dominion Insurance, Economical Insurance, Gore Mutual, Max Insurance, Pembridge, SGI, Square One Insurance, and Wawanesa Insurance.
 

Tips on how to lower the cost of your home insurance policy in Ottawa

Getting insurance for your home is easier than you think. To get the lowest rate possible, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada recommends following these steps when shopping for home insurance.

Compare home insurance quotes from various providers.

Ask your broker or agent about bundling your home and car insurance policies.

Ask your broker or agent about which discounts you qualify for.

You might be able to further reduce your by increasing your deductible (the amount you pay toward a claim before your insurance kicks in) and by offering to pay your insurance bill annually instead of monthly.

Increasing your deductible is a great way to save on home insurance in the short term, just make sure you have money reserved for this purpose. Focusing on finding cheap quotes isn’t always a good idea. Having the right amount of coverage — now that should always be the goal.

Frequently asked questions about car insurance in Ottawa

How much is home insurance in Ottawa?

No insurer will ever provide you with an exact premium, as there are several factors that play a role in determining it. These factors are determined by your unique situation and needs, including your claims history, your home’s location and so forth.

If you want hard numbers, use LowestRates.ca to find the cheapest Ottawa home insurance quotes from more than 50 of the area’s top providers. We will put you in touch with a licensed broker, who can further assess your home insurance needs and make sure you get the coverage you require at the rate that works for you.

What kind of home insurance do you need in Ottawa?

Four basic types of homeowners insurance are available in Ottawa:

Comprehensive or All Perils - This is the most comprehensive coverage available, covering the home and its contents against all unexpected perils, excluding those uninsurable events mentioned in the section above (e.g., flood damage, loss of high-value items, earthquake damage, etc.).

Basic or Named Perils - This insurance covers your home and its contents against perils that have been listed in the policy. It’s less costly than comprehensive coverage, but it also covers less.

Broad - This is in between ‘comprehensive’ and ‘basic’ policies. It covers some high-cost items — such as the structure of the house — in addition to certain named perils.

No-Frills - A no-frills policy offers basic coverage for properties that cannot normally be underwritten. Ask your broker if a no-frills policy is appropriate for your property.

Here are a few additional home insurance coverages available in Ottawa:

  • Fire department charges. Covers the fees charged by the fire department for visiting your property for an insured peril.
  • Mass evacuation. Covers the living expenses due to mandatory evacuation from your property.
  • Counterfeit money and cheques. Covers you if you unknowingly accept fake money or if one of your cheques is altered or forged.
  • Lock replacement. Covers the cost of replacing the door locks on your home if your keys are stolen.
  • Frozen foods. Covers the cost to replace frozen foods if your freezer breaks down.

What can you do to save on home insurance premiums in Ottawa?

The first step to saving on home insurance premiums in Ottawa is comparison shopping on sites like LowestRates.ca. A few clicks is all it takes to find the cheapest home insurance quotes from more than 50 of the area’s top providers.

If you’re looking to save even more, here’s what else you can do:

  • Bundle: Bundling your home and auto insurance with one provider can save you money. They’ll thank you for your business and loyalty with a reduced rate. It will also make it easier for you to file claims and make payments.
  • Guard against premium increases. Purchase an endorsement to protect yourself against a premium increase following a claim. These endorsements are typically referred to as ‘claims protectors.’
  • Shore up your credit: A good credit rating is looked at favourably by home insurance providers. It shows you are reliable and a negligible risk. If your credit has been an issue in the past, talk to your provider and financial institutions to see how you can improve the score and (hopefully) reduce your home insurance premiums.
  • Deductible: The higher your deductible, the lower your Ottawa home insurance premium will be. By agreeing to pay more upfront for losses, your insurance provider reduces their own risk and passes that savings onto you.
  • Pay annually: Paying upfront, rather than month-to-month, saves your provider money by lessening their administrative burdens. This can lead to savings, which are passed down to you.
  • Security systems: Protecting your home with a security alarm, smoke detectors and good lighting ensures your home is safer and less vulnerable to break-ins, or damage. This reduced risk will help lower your premiums.
  • Regular maintenance: Whether new or old, your home will need regular maintenance to make sure it is free of damage and/or potential damage that can occur from neglect. Eaves and roof cleaning can help protect from leaks. Tree removal can prevent roots from damaging pipes. And plumbing and electrical work can prevent flooding or fires. A well-maintained home has fewer risks and can help save you money.

What are the best home insurance companies in Ottawa?

The best home insurance company in Ottawa is the one that suits your needs and meets your budgetary constraints. Because everyone’s situation is personal and unique, you should research providers and their rates on sites like LowestRates.ca. Rest assured that our broker partners are vetted and maintain the highest standards of professionalism and trustworthiness.

Talk to a licensed broker or directly with your provider about their coverage. You can also find referrals through friends or trusted colleagues.

Each provider offering home insurance has unique coverages, features and pricing. LowestRates.ca only provides quotes from notable home insurance providers that Ottawa homeowners can trust.

What if I own a condo or rent? Can I still buy property insurance online?

Condo owners and tenants, who also require insurance can purchase it online. Condo insurance is similar to home insurance in that it protects your possessions from damage or loss and you from personal liabilities. Because your condo is a shared space, condo insurance policies also need to account for the unique risks associated with condo buildings.

Tenants in Ottawa can also purchase home insurance online and find cheap rates on sites like LowestRates.ca. Tenant insurance will cover contents and personal liability, while structural coverage will be the responsibility of the owner/landlord.

Joel Kranc

Joel Kranc

About the Author

Joel Kranc is an award-winning writer, author and journalist. Most of his experience lies within the institutional investment and financial services space. He also covers a variety of business topics for publications in North America and the UK.

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*Shoppers in Ontario who obtained a home insurance quote on LowestRates.ca from January to December 2023 saved an average of 30%. The average savings percentage represents the difference between the shoppers’ average lowest quoted premium and the average of the second and third lowest quoted premiums generated by LowestRates.ca. Excludes tenant and condo insurance.