6 Home Renovations that Can Affect Your Insurance
What home renovations can change the amount of coverage you need? We cover six common scenarios that could affect your insurance, so you can plan ahead.
Every homeowner is unique. Shouldn’t your insurance be tailored to your needs?
Home is more than just a building you live in. It's your safe haven - where you create memories that last a lifetime. Whether you're buying insurance for your first home or a landlord needing to protect your investment, Travelers Canada can help you stay protected with home insurance that fits your priorities and your budget. With 24/7 home insurance claims service, we’re here when you need us.
Whether it’s a house in the suburbs, a condominium downtown, or a seasonal cottage, no matter what type of home you own or rent - we have an insurance solution made for you. From your dwelling to your valuables inside, home insurance protects the things that matter to you.
What is insured in a Homeowners policy?
Dwelling
Insures the building and structures attached to the building. This portion of your homeowners coverage helps you rebuild or repair the structure in the event of an insured cause of loss.
Other Structures
Insures other buildings or structures that are detached from the main dwelling on the premises. Your home insurance covers damage to structures like garages, storage sheds and boathouses on your property.
Personal Property
Insures personal items in your home such as your furniture, clothes, sporting goods and electronics that may be damaged or destroyed by a covered cause of loss. Special limitations may apply to certain types of items or contents of a home.
Additional Living Expenses
Covers expenses incurred when you are forced to leave your home due to an insured loss or if you are ordered to leave by a civil authority due to an emergency. Your home insurance coverage pays for reasonable living expenses during the time you are out of your home, including loss of rental income where applicable. This coverage is subject to terms and limits within your home insurance policy.
Liability
Liability coverage under your homeowners insurance protects you when others sue you. It helps provide a defence if you or a member of your household is accused of a negligent act that causes bodily injury or property damage to others.
A homeowners policy is recommended for anyone who owns a home and may even be required by your mortgage lender. You will need separate coverage to help protect your home and personal belongings against damage due to floods or earthquakes.
If you live in a condominium, your building and your individual unit can have separate needs. Even if the condominium association has an insurance policy, you still need condominium unit insurance to protect your personal property, personal liability and any special assessments from your condominium corporation.
Designed to protect rental properties, including apartments, condominiums, and single or multi-family homes that you rent to others. Coverage for your rental investment, other structures, property used to furnish or service the rental property and loss of rental income are available. The policy also includes liability for losses that occur on the rental property.
While your landlord’s insurance covers the physical dwelling, it is up to you to protect your personal property, such as your clothing, electronics and furniture that may be inside your home.
An insurance deductible is the amount of a covered loss that is your responsibility. A policy limit is the maximum amount your insurance company will pay for a covered loss.
Customers may choose a higher deductible in favour of a lower premium for their home insurance. But if the unexpected happens, you need to make sure the amount you choose as a deductible is one you can afford to pay out of pocket.
Talk to your home insurance broker to help balance your individual needs.
Optional coverages* allow you to tailor your insurance coverage to your own personal needs:
*Subject to eligibility criteria. Check with your insurance broker to see which coverage options are available in your province.
Multi-Line Discount: Insure your home, car, rental property, or other eligible risk exposures with Travelers Canada.
Protective Device Discount: You have installed an approved alarm system for your home, including fire, theft, or water protective devices
Loss Free Discount: You have not had a property insurance claim in the past 7 years.
Check out our Home Insurance FAQs
Your dwelling coverage is the estimated cost to rebuild your house in the event of a loss. This number can be different from the market value of your home. Your broker can help you determine an appropriate level of coverage for your insurance needs.
High-value items, such as jewellery, collectibles and fine arts, may be best protected under an additional policy. Your homeowner policy has limitations on coverage for some types of personal property items. Check those limits under your policy to determine if you have items that need additional protection here.
Your homeowners premium is based on the estimated cost to rebuild your home and the type of coverages you have chosen to insure. It's also affected by your deductible. A higher deductible can mean a lower premium. Additional extensions and applicable discounts also affect your premium.
You have flexibility with how you pay your insurance premium. You can make an annual payment, 3 payments or 12 monthly payments. We accept payments through online banking, cheque or credit card (conditions apply). Learn more about our payment options here.
Yes. Major renovations, such as a new kitchen, new bathrooms or an addition, may require changes to your homeowner coverage to ensure you're adequately protected. Talk to your broker before beginning a project to find out the best option.
Electronics that are covered under personal property coverage in your homeowner's policy are subject to the policy limits.
What home renovations can change the amount of coverage you need? We cover six common scenarios that could affect your insurance, so you can plan ahead.
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