Compare the best home insurance quotes in Ottawa for free.

The cost of home insurance in Ottawa can vary by insurer. LowestRates.ca does not publish the average cost of home insurance in Ottawa because it isn’t representative of what most customers will end up paying — your home insurance premium will be determined by your unique situation and needs.

Ultimately, the best home insurance rates in Ottawa are the ones that provide the coverage you need and charge premiums that are sustainable. Not only can LowestRates.ca provide you with the cheapest Ottawa home insurance, but our experienced brokers and agents will also review the policy with you to ensure that it includes all the coverage you need. Speak with your agent or broker about whether the cheapest home rate actually provides enough coverage for your home and its contents.

The best way to get an estimate on home insurance in Ottawa is to apply for a quote. At LowestRates.ca, you can compare home insurance quotes from 50+ of the top providers across the country.

• Severe thunderstorms. Ottawa occasionally experiences severe thunderstorms, capable of causing torrential rainfall, hail, lightning, and even tornadoes or hurricanes.
• Strong winds. Like much of the province, Ottawa is subject to strong winds that are capable of dangerous gusts of over 100km/h.
• Earthquakes. While not a major risk in Ontario, earthquakes have been known to occur, and are actually most common in the Ottawa region. The damage from earthquakes can range from negligible to severe, and most home insurance policies will not cover any damage.
• Overland flooding. Situated on the Ottawa River and near a number of other bodies of water, Ottawa is at risk of flash flooding. Overland flooding — which is now the primary reason for home insurance claims in Ontario — occurs when heavy rainfall or melting snow cause water sources to fill beyond their usual confines, spilling out into streets, homes, vents, and basements. Water damage can be very costly to repair, and most home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by backed-up sewers, overland flooding, or storm surges.
• Extreme cold. As the world’s coldest capital city, Ottawa is no stranger to exceptionally cold winters. It’s not uncommon for the city to experience temperatures of -30 C, not including the wind chill. These frigid temperatures can cause ice damming, which is when a layer of ice melts and refreezes (also known as ‘freeze-thaw’ weather) causing water to seep into homes. Although ice damming is sometimes covered in basic home insurance policies, it’s wise to always ask your broker if your home is protected against it. Extreme cold can also result in frozen pipes, which are also sometimes covered, but always ask your broker for details.

House insurance protects your Ottawa home and its contents against a variety of unexpected perils. Most basic policies protect you against the following:

• Fire damage.
• Break-ins and theft.
• Vandalism.
• Smoke damage.
• Falling objects.
• Civil unrest.
• Vehicle or aircraft impact.
• Explosions.
• Wind damage.
• Hail damage.

Most home insurance policies also protect you if a person is injured on your property. And if you accidentally damage someone else’s property — in Ottawa, elsewhere in Canada, or abroad — you will be protected against the subsequent repair costs. Furthermore, most home insurance policies cover detached buildings on your property, such as garages or sheds, and some will cover the living expenses you may face if you’re temporarily forced out of your home during repairs (e.g., hotel, short-term home, apartment rental). Because repairing or replacing things like appliances, electrical work, floors, ceilings, and personal belongings can be hugely expensive, home insurance is strongly recommended for Ottawa homeowners.

Unfortunately, not every unexpected peril that can impact your home is covered by basic home insurance. Here are a few events that usually require additional coverage:

• Damage resulting from flash floods or overland flooding. Water damage resulting from burst pipes or overflowing toilets is usually covered, but additional coverage is typically required to protect against flooding.
• Loss of high-value belongings. Most standard home insurance policies will cover some high-value items, but if the value of a specific item — think jewelry, artwork, watches, furs, etc. — exceeds your policy’s limits, it won’t be covered. So if you have anything especially valuable that you’d like covered, look into additional coverage.
• Earthquake or landslide damage. Additional coverage against these incidents would need to be purchased separately.
• Pest damage and infestations. Damage caused by insects, birds, rodents, bats, or skunks is considered to be part of home maintenance and is thus incumbent upon the homeowner to guard against.
• General wear and tear. Homeowners are expected to keep their homes up to date and protect against deterioration. Therefore any wear and tear that results in home damage are not usually covered.
• Home-based businesses. If you’re running a business out of your home, you will most likely require additional coverage to ensure that your business-related items are protected, such as inventory, equipment, computers, software, and furniture.

Four basic types of homeowners insurance are available in Ottawa:

Comprehensive or All Perils - This is the most comprehensive coverage available, covering the home and its contents against all unexpected perils, excluding those uninsurable events mentioned in the section above (e.g., flood damage, loss of high-value items, earthquake damage, etc.).

Basic or Named Perils - This insurance covers your home and its contents against perils that have been listed in the policy. It’s less costly than comprehensive coverage, but it also covers less.

Broad - This is in between ‘comprehensive’ and ‘basic’ policies. It covers some high-cost items — such as the structure of the house — in addition to certain named perils.

No-Frills - A no-frills policy offers basic coverage for properties that cannot normally be underwritten. Ask your broker if a no-frills policy is appropriate for your property.

Here are a few additional home insurance coverages available in Ottawa:

• Fire department charges. Covers the fees charged by the fire department for visiting your property for an insured peril.
• Mass evacuation. Covers the living expenses due to mandatory evacuation from your property.
• Counterfeit money and cheques. Covers you if you unknowingly accept fake money or if one of your cheques is altered or forged.
• Lock replacement. Covers the cost of replacing the door locks on your home if your keys are stolen.
• Frozen foods. Covers the cost to replace frozen foods if your freezer breaks down.

Don’t assume your rate can’t get lower. Do your homework and make sure you have sufficient coverage at the best price. Here are some things you can try to make home insurance in Ottawa more affordable:

• Shop online for the best rate.
• Bundling your vehicle insurance and home insurance with the same company can save you money.
• Purchase an endorsement to guard against a premium increase following a claim. These endorsements are typically referred to as ‘claims protectors.’
• Credit counts. A good credit score can often mean a better policy.
• Tell your broker about your home’s safety features, including fire alarms, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, indoor sprinkler systems, and security alarms.
• Increasing your deductible usually results in a lowered premium.
• Only insure the replacement value of the home itself, not the land on which it sits.
• Don’t claim for small items. They can increase your premium and often aren’t worth it after the deductible.
• Stop smoking. It’s bad for your premiums and your health.
• Pay annually. There’s usually a break if you pay once a year instead of monthly.
• Remove dead trees and hanging objects that could damage your home during a storm.

There is no single insurance company that’s considered "the best" for everyone. That’s why it’s important to shop around and find the right coverage — at the best price — for your property.

A good way to find a trustworthy company is to ask family and friends who they use and if they’re happy with the service and coverage. Alternatively, you can turn to a site like LowestRates.ca, as we carefully vet all of our broker partners to ensure that our users end up with professional and trustworthy companies. It’s free to compare home insurance quotes from 50+ of Canada's top insurance providers.

Each provider offering home insurance has unique coverages, features and pricing. LowestRates.ca only provides quotes from notable home insurance providers that Ottawa homeowners can trust.

LowestRates.ca can help renters and condo owners find property insurance. Just indicate which type of policy you’re looking for on our quickstart form above.