Ontario's most and least expensive places to insure a home

November 3rd, 2021  |  Home Insurance

Five of the most expensive places to insure a home in Ontario are in Windsor-Essex, according to a report by RATESDOTCA.

Residents living in suburban neighbourhoods such as LaSalle, for example, are paying double the premiums in comparison to affluent communities in the GTA such as Woodbridge. The other half of the list is dominated by North Ontario cities such as Timmins, Thunder Bay and Elliot Lake.

The insurance comparison website analyzed July data gathered using its interactive online Home Insuramap tool and found an approximately $1,145 difference between the premiums paid by residents in Lasalle – the suburb with the highest home insurance – at $2,098 and those living in Woodbridge – the city with the lowest premiums – at $953. The figure represents a 120% difference.

According to RATESDOTCA’s data, the provincial average cost for home insurance premiums is $1,342 per year.

“Many different factors influence the cost of insurance premiums. Unlike auto insurance, the home insurance market is unregulated. Things like credit scores and unemployment rates could be used to determine the cost of insuring a homeowner, which impacts rates,” John Shmuel, Managing Editor of RATESDOTCA said in a news release. “Other factors include crime rates and the number of claims in a particular area.”

Here’s the Top 10 list:

Top 10 most expensive neighbourhoods for home insurance

#1. Lasalle

• Closest urban area: Windsor (Essex)
• Estimated annual premium: $2,098

#2. Windsor

• Closest urban area: Windsor
• Estimated annual premium: $2,072

#3. Kingsville

• Closest urban area: Windsor (Essex)
• Estimated annual premium: $1,889

#4. Amherstburg

• Closest urban area: Windsor (Essex)
• Estimated annual premium: $1,864

#5. Thunder Bay

• Closest urban area: Thunder Bay
• Estimated annual premium: $1,857

#6. Timmins

• Closest urban area: Timmins
• Estimated annual premium: $1,821

#7. Lively (Walden)

• Closest urban area: Sudbury
• Estimated annual premium: $1,761

#8. Essex

• Closest urban area: Windsor (Essex)
• Estimated annual premium: $1,760

#9. Garson

• Closest urban area: Sudbury
• Estimated annual premium: $1,747

#10. Elliot Lake

• Closest urban area: Sudbury
• Estimated annual premium: $1,747

Top 10 least expensive neighbourhoods for home insurance

#1. Woodbridge

• Closest urban area: GTA
• Estimated annual premium: $953

#2. Stratford

• Closest urban area: Kitchener-Waterloo
• Estimated annual premium: $979

#3. Richmond Hill

• Closest urban area: GTA
• Estimated annual premium: $982

#4. Oakville

• Closest urban area: GTA
• Estimated annual premium: $1,011

#5. Aurora

• Closest urban area: GTA
• Estimated annual premium: $1,015

#6. Holland Landing

• Closest urban area: GTA (York)
• Estimated annual premium: $1,020

#7. Simcoe

• Closest urban area: Kitchener-Waterloo
• Estimated annual premium: $1,022

#8. Milton

• Closest urban area: GTA
• Estimated annual premium: $1,024

#9. Ajax

• Closest urban area: GTA
• Estimated annual premium: $1,027

#10. Kleinburg

• Closest urban area: GTA (Vaughan)
• Estimated annual premium: $1,031

While you may not move to lower your home insurance premiums, try these tips to keep them lower:

1. Bundle your home and auto insurance with the same insurer. If you switch your auto insurance to the same company that insures your home, you will likely be eligible for 15 per cent in discounts.
2. Have a properly installed and monitored alarm system. If you have one, your insurers will know the odds you will suffer a break in are decreased and may offer you a discount.
3. .Don’t file claims for the small stuff. If you have a minor claim, you might be better off not making it and see your insurance costs go down in subsequent years.
4. Increase your deductible. By increasing your deductible – the amount you pay before the insurer pays the rest – your premiums will go down. However, note that if you make a claim you’ll be responsible to pay more.
5. Don’t have too much coverage. While you want to ensure your home and belongings are protected, having too much coverage can lead to higher premiums. Do you need extra coverage for things such as jewelry or high-end electronics? Take stock and know the details of your policy.
6. Buy a newer home or condo. If your home is 10 years old or less, you may qualify for a discount. Older homes tend to be more expensive to insure because things may be more likely to go wrong.
7. Maintain a good credit score. Most insurers will ask your permission to do a soft credit check which doesn’t affect your record. However, if you have a good score, you may benefit from that.
8. Pay premiums annually. It may be advantageous to pay this way instead of monthly. Find out!
9. Compare, compare, compare. When it’s time to renew, compare rates from different insurers with your broker. Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples – the same policy and coverage - to find the best rate for you.

There are additional ways to save. If you’re older than 55, some insurers will offer a discount. Become mortgage free. Install a sprinkler system. Find out the insurance costs of a neighbourhood you are considering moving to. Finally, ask your broker what discounts other might be available to you!

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