Home insurance claim time limit

If it's your first time buying home insurance or you've never filed an insurance claim before, you may have some questions about how home insurance claims work and the process in general. To learn more about the home insurance claim process and what the time limit is to file following an incident, stick around to learn more.

Quick Summary: Home Insurance Claim Time Limits in Canada

What time limit do I have to file a home insurance claim with my insurance company?

Generally speaking, there is a time limit when it comes to filing a home insurance claim with your insurance company. Most insurance companies have their own time limit for when homeowners can notify them and report an insurance claim, which typically ranges between 90 days to 12 months following the incident.

That said, the longer you wait, the more likely it is that your claim may be denied. To ensure you receive fair compensation for your property damage and damaged items, we recommend that you contact your insurance company as soon as possible to kick-start the claims process.

Common home insurance claims

Homeowners file claims under their insurance policy all the time. However, the most common insured losses that insurers receive are:

Theft and vandalism

Theft and vandalism are covered under the contents portion of your home insurance. If personal property from your home is damaged or stolen, you can file a claim with your insurer to receive compensation for your losses.

Property damage

Damaged property can occur as a result of severe weather damage, fire, theft, and vandalism. Any damages to the physical structure of your personal property, including secondary structures are covered under a standard insurance policy.

Water damage

Some types of water damage may also be covered by your insurer. Specifically, if the damage occurs as a result of an unexpected event, or if you have additional water damage policies beyond standard coverage.

Liability insurance claims

Finally, personal liability claims for accidents that cause bodily injuries or damages to third parties while on your property are also covered.

What is not covered by standard home insurance?

While home insurance will cover expenses related to repairs, replacements, legal fees, and other costs, some forms of damage are not covered. Such as:

Pest control

Pest control is considered a maintenance issue, rather than something that occurs unexpectedly. Because of this, homeowners are responsible for any repairs and expenses associated with pest control activities.

Mould

Standard home insurance tends to not cover mould. Exceptions to this rule are if the water damage that led to the mould occurred as the result of an insured peril listed in your insurance documents.

General wear and tear

General wear and tear, along with homeowner neglect and intentional harm will not cover appliances, or other aspects of your home, given that homeowners are responsible for maintaining their property accordingly.

To ensure you understand what is and isn't covered by your policy, make sure to read your policy documents or speak with your insurer directly.

Is it worth filing an insurance claim with my insurance company?

Whether or not you decide to file a claim with your insurance provider depends on the extent of damages or losses compared to your deductible. For example, if the damages are substantially more than your deductible, it makes more sense to file a claim than pay out of pocket.

However, if the repairs or replacements are less than your deductible, you may want to pay the expenses on your own, given that the premium increase may not be worth it.

The home insurance claims process

Do you have a claim you need to file with your insurance company? Here's how to navigate the home insurance claims process correctly:

1. Review your insurance documents: First things first, review your insurance documents to ensure that you have coverage with your insurance company for the specific damages or losses that have occurred.
2. Document proof of damages: Next, you'll need to document proof of your losses. If a crime has been committed, you should contact the police and ask for a copy of the police report.
3. Contact your insurance company: Once a police investigation is underway and you've documented the damages, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
4. Explain what happened: While on the phone with your insurance company, you'll need to explain to the insurance agent what happened. During this time, an agent will ask you a series of questions. This information will then be passed along to a claims adjuster.
5. Speak with claims adjuster: In a couple of days, you'll likely be contacted by your claims adjuster. At this point, they'll ask you for more information and set up an appointment for a contractor to survey the damages and get an estimate for repairs. If your claim is about stolen or damaged items, they'll ask you to submit receipts for them to review.
6. Pay your deductible: Before moving forward with your settlement offer, you'll need to pay a deductible to your insurance company.
7. Get repairs: Once the estimate is approved by your adjuster and your deductible has been paid, you can go ahead and get your home repaired by a professional contractor.
8. Get your settlement offer: Your adjuster will come to you with an offer to settle. If you don't believe that the payout is fair, you can negotiate with more money until you come to an agreement.
9. Get paid: Finally, when you settle your claim, you'll need to sign a release contract. Once signed, your payout will be mailed to you.

Can my home insurance claim be denied?

Yes, claim denials occur all the time and are largely due to homeowners invalidating their home insurance. Common ways to invalidate home insurance include:

• Overestimating the value of your home inventory list.
• Not reporting damages to a claims adjuster in time.
• Not having enough proof.
• Lying during the investigation of your claims process.

Will my home insurance premium increase following a home insurance claim?

Yes, most insurance companies will increase your insurance premium following the claims process when you go to renew your policy the next year. The average home insurance cost in Canada is between $1000 and $2000 annually. However, it can be difficult to tell how much your premium will increase following an insurance claim given that it can vary based on your provider, your claims history, and the severity of the damaged property.

How to prevent home insurance claims

Your home is one of the most important investments you can make in a lifetime. To prevent home insurance claims, taking proper care of your property is essential. Here's some tips you can use:

Install plumbing devices

To prevent flooding, consider installing a sump pump, backwater valve, and tankless water heater.

Maintain your HVAC

To prevent home insurance winter claims, such as burst pipes, have your heating system professionally maintained at least once a year to ensure you can keep your interior warm.

Clean your gutters

Prevent leaks and foundation cracks over time by cleaning your gutters and downspouts so water can flow away from your property when it rains.

How BrokerLink can help

At BrokerLink, our experienced insurance brokers help Canadians find affordable coverage. With access to numerous policies from some of Canada's top insurance companies, our brokers can help you compare rates, read and understand your policy, answer any questions, and provide unbiased advice regarding your coverage. Looking for other forms of home insurance? BrokerLink can also help with the following:

• Tenant and renters insurance
• Condo insurance
• Vacation property insurance
• Overland water damage coverage
• Sewer backup coverage

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