Compare the best home insurance quotes in Red Deer for free.

Severe storms have caused millions of dollars worth of damage in Red Deer and its surrounding areas, so it’s important to understand the area’s weather risks to ensure you have adequate insurance coverage for your Red Deer home.

Flooding. Red Deer officials declared a local state of emergency after a thunderstorm in 2017 resulted in more than $30-million in insurable damage. Massive floods in Alberta that affected Red Deer and surrounding areas in 2013 were the second most costly disasters in Canadian history for insurers, resulting in $1.8 billion in insured damage.

Wildfire. Wildfires in Alberta have burned more land in 2019 than any year in the past four decades, according to data from Alberta Wildfire. If residents have to leave because of a mandatory evacuation order, most home insurance policies will provide coverage for additional living expenses for a specified period of time.

Wildfire smoke. Smoke from the wildfires causes poor air quality and reduced visibility. Furniture, walls, and windows in your home can also be damaged, so some insurance to protect your contents might be valuable.

Storms. Instances of severe weather such as tornadoes, windstorms and hailstorms were also up in 2019. Home insurance covers damage to the structure of the building, broken windows, damaged contents and cleaning up debris from the wind.

Snow and ice. Winters in Red Deer are freezing, dry, and windy. Heavy snow and freezing weather can cause damage to property from falling ice and flying debris, and potentially to contents, from burst water pipes. As insurance guidelines vary between insurers, Red Deer residents are advised to check with their provider on their current level of coverage or limitations.

Generally speaking, home insurance covers the following risks:

• Fire is covered, but only if it was accidental or caused by external elements.
• Water damage coverage includes protection against sudden and accidental water damage caused by events, such as (but not limited to) the escape of water from a waterbed, aquarium or appliances or heating, plumbing, sprinkling, and ruptured air conditioners. Water damage is generally not covered when it's the result of overland flooding. However, some insurers are now offering overland flooding coverage, but you have to pay extra for this coverage.
• Home insurance policies offer personal liability which can protect you if you’re robbed while away from home.
• Vandalism coverage applies to unoccupied homes but not to vacant homes. An unoccupied home still contains the personal property of the policy owner, but the property owner is absent.

Unfortunately, events that your insurance company considers predictable and related to the maintenance of your home aren't covered.

• Water damage isn't covered if it’s from a source outside your home, such as overland flooding.
• Sewer backup typically isn’t covered. Sewers can back up during periods of heavy rainfall, when the city sewer system can’t handle excess water, causing it to overflow into your home. Installing a sewer backwater valve to prevent sewer backup from flowing into your basement.
• Internal water damage from burst pipes due to the very cold winters. Occasionally, burst pipes are covered when it’s sudden and accidental.
• Earthquakes and other natural movements of the earth are not typically covered by insurance policies.

The following are the four basic types of home insurance:

Comprehensive: Also referred to as a special or all-perils policy. A comprehensive policy provides the most coverage. It covers all risks to your home and contents except for any risks named in your policy as exclusions.

Basic or named perils: Also known as a standard policy it only covers the risks to your home and contents that are named in your policy.

Broad: Also referred to as a broad-form policy. A broad policy covers the structure of your home against all insurable risks, minus all the standard exclusions (e.g., overland flooding, earthquakes, intentionally-set fires, etc.). Your contents, however, are only covered against risks that you specify. A broad policy is a cross between a comprehensive and a named perils policy.

No-frills: A no-frills policy provides the least amount of coverage. It offers very basic coverage for homes that don’t meet the usual standards for insurance. For example, if your home has physical issues or is being remodelled an insurance company may only offer you a very limited no-frills policy.

Red Deer residents can use the following insurance endorsements to manage risks that are not covered as an add-on to their policy at extra cost:

• Overland flood insurance. Overland flooding happens when rivers or lakes overflow their banks due to heavy rainfall or melting snow and ice.
• Earthquake insurance covers loss and damage to your home and contents. It may also cover additional living expenses if you can’t live in your home after an earthquake.
• Guaranteed replacement cost ensures that you receive the full amount needed to repair your home or replace contents, without any reduction for depreciation, to the limit insured. For example, if someone steals your old TV, your insurance provider will pay for a new one of similar make and quality.

Insurance premiums vary depending on your age, the type of coverage, the amount of coverage, your insurance history, and other factors.

Insurance companies are all about risk assessment. The higher the risk a client presents, the higher their premiums will be. Still, there are ways to make your Red Deer home insurance premiums more affordable.

• Bundling home and auto insurance.
• Installing a security system and smoke alarms.
• Seniors’ discount or other discounts based on age
• Membership or employment with particular organizations, like unions or post-secondary institutions, can get special lower rates for group coverage.
• Loyalty discounts for existing insured clients.
• Shopping around and comparing Red Deer home insurance quotes.

Some consumers prioritize getting a cheap home insurance rate for their Red Deer home. We say to focus on getting the right amount of coverage, even if it does increase your premiums. The cost of paying for repairs out of pocket may exceed any savings realized from underinsuring your property.

The best home insurance rate for your Red Deer property is budget-friendly and provides adequate coverage.

There are a number of factors to consider when picking your insurer.

Every insurance company sets up its own claims process so it’s best to do your own research and choose a reputable company and broker to review the right policy for your property, location, and financial needs.

These are some other things to consider when you’re picking an insurance company:

• Contact the Alberta Superintendent of Insurance to verify that a company or agent is licensed and in good standing.
• Verify whether complaints have been made against them with the Alberta Insurance Council.
• Pick an agent or broker that takes the time to answer your questions and doesn’t try to pressure you into signing right away.

Here’s a list of some of the major home insurance providers operating in Red Deer:

• Wawanesa
• Aviva
• The Co-operators
• Sonnet
• Desjardins

LowestRates.ca can help you find insurance coverage for both property types. Enter your postal code above and specify whether you’re looking for condo or renters insurance. Our comparison service works the same as it does for home insurance.