Homeowner Insurance

We have the option of setting our clients up on a convenient, monthly payment plan through your financial institution.

We work with you to determine the full replacement value of your home, including debris removal, demolition, architect fees, and construction charges. Important Note: Replacement value should not be confused with market value. The market value is what your house, for example, would actually sell for and is generally more than the replacement cost. This is because replacement value does not include the land-which almost always does not need to be replaced.

In insurance policies, there is no such thing as an ‘Acts of God’ exclusion. This seems to be a long-standing urban myth!

Yes. Homeowners insurance is a package of insurance coverage that extends to all your possessions no matter where they are. If you take a round-the-world vacation and lose a valuable item, as long as the loss is by a covered event or peril, the location does not matter, you're covered.
The liability component also extends well beyond the boundaries of your home. Should you be found legally at fault for injury or loss to another individual, whether you unfortunately and unintentionally cause a tumble down a San Francisco hill or a fall in an Indiana barn, for example, your homeowner’s policy likely will cover you.
As in the property section of a homeowner’s policy, there are limits and exclusions to personal liability. Your business activities, for example, are not covered under your homeowner’s policy. You also are not covered for injuries or damage you deliberately cause. Your policy lists specific exclusions and limits.

No. Your property and the structure (the basement) are covered by your policy, as is your personal liability. However, the tenants' possessions and liability are not covered by your policy. Therefore, they should purchase their own renters insurance. Whether you are a leaser or a renter, you should check with your broker to make sure you have the coverage you need.

As a member of the family, she is probably covered under your homeowner’s policy. Likewise, your child away at college is covered for personal liability and property loss. However, you should check with your broker to be sure of the extent of coverage.

Yes, within certain limits. Both inventory and business property is covered as personal property used for business purposes. However, like all personal property, there are monetary limits on reimbursement, generally between $5000 and $25,000. Whether your home business is your primary occupation or a hobby that nets you a few hundred dollars a year, it is still a business, and you should treat it as such. If you've invested quite a bit in equipment (woodworking tools, for example) and sell the occasional decoy, you should consider whether the personal property limits are sufficient.

The best place to start after a great loss of property is with an inventory of that property. And the best time to make an inventory is before all is lost. If most of us suddenly found ourselves without anything due to some calamity, we would be hard pressed to know all that we had lost. When was the last time, for example, that you counted the number of shoes or CDs you own, not to mention furniture, dishes, drapes, and audio/video equipment? How much is it all worth, and where would you start if you had to replace it?
Now is the time to make a list of major household items and possessions. To make the job easier a home inventory form is available, just ask and we can provide you with either a hard or soft copy. Where possible, it is wise to list the items' serial number, the date and the cost of purchase and the receipt.
Perhaps an even easier way to inventory your home is to use a still or video camera. As you take the video, you also can talk about the items, when you purchased them and how much they cost.
Whatever method you choose, have a copy made. Ask a friend or family member to hold on to it. Store your copy in a safe deposit box. Check with your broker, who may be able to store a copy for you. If the worst happens and your home is destroyed, the inventory will be safe at another location.

The insurance company has to weigh many factors in determining a premium to charge for your policy. One factor is access to water (hence the question about the location of the nearest fire hydrant) as well as the dependability and proximity of your local fire company and police. Rural homes more than eight kilometres from a water supply are more at risk for severe damage from fire and lightning. Therefore, they can be more expensive to insure. Rural homeowners may even have difficulty obtaining insurance.

Contact your broker or company representative as soon as possible. If there is damage to your home or possessions make "emergency" repairs to protect yourself and your property from further damage. For example, if some of the windows in your home have been blown out by wind, you may board them up to prevent additional damage. In fact, your policy covers the cost of these emergency measures. However, before making permanent repairs, call your broker. The insurance company has the right to inspect the property in its damaged condition. They may want to send a claims adjuster or have you get an estimate from an independent contractor. If your property is stolen, notify the police immediately and call your broker.

Liability covers bodily injury and property damage to others due to your negligence. The coverage applies to non-auto accidents that occur either at your residence or off the premises. You may owe medical expense payments, such as first aid, to the injured party. Should you be sued as a result of your negligent actions or suspect that you might be sued, contact your broker or company representative immediately.