Ontario Cottage Insurance

If you are looking to insure a cottage or second home in Ontario, or even Quebec, your insurance needs are unique. Scrivens can help!

Protect Your Home-Away-From-Home with an Ontario Cottage Insurance Broker

If you’re investing in a second home like a cottage, here are the basics to help you make the best buying decision when it comes to determining insurability and estimating your ongoing cost of ownership of your cottage in Ontario or Quebec.

Ontario Cottage Insurance Options

At a minimum, your lender will require that you carry hazard insurance to protect your cottage against damage from theft, fire, flooding, or windstorms. It is also a good idea to add liability insurance, which covers you and members of your household for accidental injuries to your visitors.

Opting for property plus liability insurance adds up to a standard home insurance package. For an extra layer of protection, a personal umbrella liability policy extends your liability coverage for all properties named in the policy.

Dwelling Fire Insurance

Since most home insurance policies require occupancy as a condition of insurance, the fact that you visit infrequently may preclude you from obtaining full homeowners coverage. Dwelling fire insurance is an alternate coverage option utilized in insuring residential rental or non-owner occupancy property, including vacant property.

READ: Vacant or Unoccupied: Your Property Coverage Depends

A dwelling fire policy continues to offer coverage for a home and other structures (e.g., detached sheds or garages) for perils named in the policy. Named perils listed in a typical dwelling fire policy protect against damage caused by fire, collapse, lightning, wind, hail, explosion and smoke. For more coverage, consider adding personal property protection and liability.

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Cottage Insurance FAQ

Is a cottage a good investment?

A cottage can be a good investment if you're looking for a property to use as a vacation home, rental property, or a potential retirement home. However, it's important to consider the costs associated with owning a cottage, such as property taxes, maintenance, and insurance. Additionally, the value of a cottage can be affected by factors such as location (Is it in Ontario?), market conditions, and demand. Overall, whether a cottage is a good investment will depend on your specific goals, financial situation, and the current real estate market.

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How much is cottage insurance?

The cost of cottage insurance in Ontario will depend on a variety of factors, such as the location of the cottage, the type of construction, the value of the property and contents, and the level of coverage you choose. In general, cottage insurance premiums can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per year. It's a good idea to shop around and compare quotes from different insurers to find the best coverage and price for your needs.

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What is the best cottage insurance in Ontario?

The best cottage insurance in Ottawa and Ontario will depend on your specific needs and preferences. It's important to research and compare different insurance policies and providers to find the coverage that best fits your needs and budget.

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What happens when you inherit a cottage?

When you inherit a cottage, you will need to transfer ownership of the property into your name. This typically involves obtaining a copy of the will, obtaining a death certificate, and filing the necessary paperwork with the relevant government agencies. You may also need to pay any outstanding property taxes or other fees associated with the property. Once you become the owner of the cottage, you will be responsible for maintaining and insuring the property, as well as paying any associated expenses.

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Are there any cottage insurance tips?

Here are some tips for finding the right cottage insurance in Ottawa:

• Shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best coverage and price.
• Make sure you have adequate liability coverage, as accidents can happen on your property.
• Consider bundling your cottage insurance with other insurance policies to save money.
• Make sure you understand what is and isn't covered by your policy, and consider adding additional coverage if needed.
• Take steps to protect your property from risks such as theft, fire, and water damage, as this can help lower your insurance premiums

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Renting Out Your Ontario Cottage to Others?

Whether your second property is an apartment unit or a family home, if you’re renting the property, you will have little control over the physical damage that can occur in or on it. To mitigate your risks, tenant-occupied dwelling insurance will cover the costs incurred by damage, including fire, storms, burglary and vandalism. However, it doesn’t cover your tenant’s personal property.

Renting your property furnished or unfurnished also has insurance coverage implications. If you are renting your property furnished, make sure to let us know. We can advise you on the best coverage options and whether you need to consider requiring longer-term tenants to carry additional tenants insurance.

As with all home insurance, it’s important to be sure that there is enough coverage to protect all of your property values and assets when purchasing coverage.

Before investing in a second home or rental property, contact a professional Ontario cottage insurance broker to learn more about the solutions for your insurance needs. Call us at (613) 236-9101 or visit our contact page for more details.