Home Insurance in St. John’s

How do I get home insurance in St. John’s?

Are you searching for St. John’s home insurance? Or maybe you are considering changing house insurance policies? Lucky for you, here at BrokerLink, our team of knowledgeable insurance brokers specializes in home insurance. We are confident that we can provide you with a customized insurance solution, whether you require basic home insurance, vacation property & cottage insurance, rental property insurance, or condo insurance in St. John’s.

What to expect from your St. John’s home insurance coverage

Even though homeowners are not mandated to have Newfoundland and Labrador home insurance, obtaining coverage continues to be one of the most excellent ways to safeguard your house and belongings. Buying home insurance is unquestionably appealing due to the financial security it provides against various dangers, not to mention the added sense of safety that comes from knowing you are guarded against unexpected perils.

However, as mortgage lenders in Newfoundland and Labrador frequently mandate home insurance as part of their loan agreements, many homebuyers in St. John’s will still need to obtain home insurance before they qualify for a mortgage. Also, landlords may want proof that you hold St. John’s tenant insurance before accepting a rental application.

You may get a better idea of what you can expect from your St. John’s home insurance policy by reading the breakdown of each main type of coverage below:

Dwelling coverage

Dwelling insurance is essential as it protects the actual structure of your home. If your house is damaged by one of the insured risks, such as a falling object, wind, fire, or theft, your house insurance will safeguard you. It’s important to keep in mind that dwelling coverage only covers the actual physical structure of your home, not its contents or the property on which it is built. Additional risks that are covered include lightning strikes, smoke damage, explosions, and impacts from vehicles or aircraft.

Contents coverage

Your home’s belongings are covered by contents insurance. In the event of loss or damage, it can offer coverage for your material goods, including furniture, clothes, electronics, jewellery, sporting goods, and other things. Basically, your insurer may reimburse you (at least partly) for the expense of repairing or restoring the damaged objects if the items in your house are destroyed or lost due to an insured risk, like as theft or fire. However, if you own any expensive jewellery or works of art, talk to your insurance advisor about extra coverage options, as contents coverage often has a predetermined maximum per item.

Personal liability coverage

A homeowner in St. John’s is shielded from liability claims if they have personal liability insurance, particularly those brought by guests who claim to have been hurt or to have had their property damaged while on the homeowner’s premises. This kind of liability protection is necessary because, in the event that an accident takes place on your property, you could be held accountable.

It can be tough to finance a lawsuit on your own, let alone any potential settlement fees, medical costs, and repair costs. Thankfully, since personal liability is covered by your St. John’s house insurance policy, you likely wouldn’t be responsible for covering these expenses out of pocket. Instead, your insurance company would help in paying for a variety of expenses, including legal and medical fees.

Extra home insurance coverage for your policy

Standard home insurance can safeguard your home from a number of unforeseen disasters, but it might not always provide a sufficient level of protection. For homeowners who want more extensive coverage options, BrokerLink also offers a variety of riders, add-ons, and endorsements that may be integrated into your standard St. John's home insurance plan. Sewer backup coverage, equipment breakdown coverage, and commercial business coverage are a few types of additional insurance.

Sewer backup coverage

Sewer backups represent the worst-case scenario for many St. John’s homeowners. When wastewater or sewage piles up and overflows through a toilet or sink, it's referred to as a sewer backup, and your home can incur water damage if this occurs. Fortunately, sewer backup insurance is available to help should you experience this.

Equipment breakdown coverage

We all understand how costly repairing or replacing faulty household equipment can be. That’s why equipment breakdown insurance is highly recommended because a broken piece of equipment can have significant financial consequences, whether it be a kitchen appliance (such as an oven or microwave) or a piece of HVAC equipment (such as an air conditioner or furnace). If a piece of equipment in your home breaks unexpectedly, you can be financially covered with the help of this endorsement.

Commercial business coverage

Getting commercial business insurance is a must if you operate a home-based business. If your property is damaged or destroyed due to business operations, this coverage provides financial security. Your standard house insurance policy most likely would not cover any damages or losses caused by your business if you did not have this additional coverage.

What your St. John’s home insurance may not cover

You can't always rely on your St. John's homeowners insurance policy to guard you in every circumstance, despite the fact that it provides rather wide coverage. Even homeowners insurance has restrictions, which are described in the terms and conditions of your contract. You can speak with an insurance broker or agent before or after you buy your policy to review any exclusions of your coverage. Every time you purchase a new homeowner's insurance policy, it is essential to know what is and is not covered by your policy. The following situations are ones that standard home insurance commonly does not cover:

Neglecting your home

If an insurer feels that you neglected to take care of your home and that this lack of maintenance contributed to a loss or damages you are attempting to claim, they may, in some situations, reject your claim. For example, if you left a broken window that allowed water to slowly leak in, your wall could eventually suffer significant water damage and rot. Therefore, you can keep your home insurance coverage in order by maintaining your home year-round. If you don’t have the time or knowledge to manage your property yourself, think about hiring a professional business.

A vacant home

If your house will be empty for more than 30 days straight, you need to get in touch with your insurance company to let them know. A possible consequence of having an empty home is an insurance premium increase. Therefore, make sure to let your insurance broker know in advance if you routinely take lengthy travels throughout the year.

Since most insurance companies require that you have someone checking in on your property at least once every 72 hours, don't forget to give your broker the contact information for whomever you ask to monitor it. Choosing not to ask someone to watch after your home while you are away could lead your insurer to deny your claim if you experience a loss or damage.

Home sharing

A lot of people are now renting out their houses (think Airbnb and VBRO) so they can make extra cash each month. Just keep in mind to notify your insurance agent if you are renting out your house, even for a brief period of time, as neglecting to do so could result in the cancellation of your homeowner's insurance.

Renovations

Many St. John's property owners are unaware that, in the event that damage occurs as a result of a renovation job, they might not be covered by their homeowner's insurance. This is due to the increased risk associated with home renovations. Consult an insurance broker in St. John's to determine what kind of coverage you need if your home will be undergoing renovations. Also, to make sure you still have the right amount of coverage for your home after your renovations are finished, don't forget to notify your insurance company when the job is completed.

Here’s how you can save money on your home insurance in St. John’s

Our goal at BrokerLink is to assist homeowners in obtaining quality insurance at competitive rates. We are dedicated to investigating every opportunity to save you money. Check out our advice below on how to save money on your St. John’s home insurance policy by bundling home and auto insurance, identifying important features to check for when buying a home, and more:

Bundle home insurance with other policies

Bundling multiple insurance policies (e.g., home and auto insurance) or even multiple house insurance policies (such as home insurance and cottage insurance) can lead to substantial insurance savings. Depending on the insurance provider, you might save anywhere from 5% up to 15% on each plan.

Increase your policy deductible

Even while insurance shields you from financial harm, as the policyholder you still have financial duties. You must cover your insurance deductible amount before the insurance provider will pay out the rest for an insurable loss. Your deductible amount is entirely up to you, but typically a house insurance deductible ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 (but you can also have a lower or higher deductible than that). To learn more, check out our help insurance premiums and deductibles guide.

Add a home security system

You might qualify for a security system rebate on your homeowners insurance if you add a centrally monitored alarm system to your property. But before buying one, ask your insurance broker about the terms of this discount. The majority of insurance providers have a specific list of home security systems that qualify.

Consider all factors in your home purchase

Pool owners typically pay more insurance for their homes due to the significant liability risks that owning a pool brings. For this reason, if having a pool is not a must, search for a home without one to help you save on the additional insurance expense of having one (much less maintaining one!).

Whether the house is near a fire hydrant or a fire station should be considered as well, especially if your home is located in a rural area. Proximity can be the difference between minor and severe fire damage to your home. As such, you could receive an insurance discount if your home is close to emergency services.

Review your coverage frequently

We strongly recommend that you review your coverage before renewing. This can help you identify any insurance you may be paying for but no longer need. If your policy is set to expire and you are having trouble deciding which coverage is necessary to keep, speak with an insurance broker.

Get advice from a St. John's BrokerLink insurance broker

If you live in St. John's, you may be pleasantly surprised to hear that you can qualify for a variety of insurance savings. For instance, many companies or institutions provide home insurance discounts to their employees or students. Some discounts may also be available to non-smokers and long-time customers.

Discover all of the many potential savings on house insurance by speaking with one of our licensed insurance experts at BrokerLink. With the assistance of an insurance broker in St. John's, you will quickly and effortlessly obtain homeowner's insurance, thus, saving you time and money. Every BrokerLink insurance broker is experienced, certified, and committed to assisting our customers in securing top quality coverage.

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Is home insurance in St. John's mandatory?

In Newfoundland and Labrador, homeowners are not required to have insurance. However, a lot of homeowners still discover that they need home insurance for other reasons. For instance, mortgage lenders frequently include this clause in loan agreements. Therefore, there is a strong chance that someone looking to buy a home who wants to obtain a mortgage will first require home insurance. Furthermore, landlords are allowed to require tenant insurance (a type of home insurance for renters).

We’re in your community

Participating in the community is a huge part of who we are. We appreciate getting to know the people who live and work in our area!

Contact us

At St. John's BrokerLink, we are here to help you with any insurance needs you may have. Whether it’s insuring your home, car, business, recreational items, or pets, let us help you find the best coverage possible. Any of our insurance agents will be pleased to assist you with your insurance needs.

To contact us, give us a call, send us an email, or stop by any one of our many offices across Newfoundland and Labrador. We also recommend using our free online quote tool! It can provide you a free estimate on house insurance in just a few minutes.

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FAQs on Newfoundland and Labrador house insurance

What factors do insurance providers consider when calculating St. John's home insurance rates?

Insurance providers in St. John's and throughout Newfoundland and Labrador weigh a number of variables when calculating premiums. Understanding these significant variables and how they could impact your premium could be important to homeowners in St. John's. Thus, your St. John's house insurance rate is likely affected by the following factors:

• The quality of construction of your home.
• The condition of your home’s heating, plumbing and electrical systems.
• Your location.
• The coverage types, your deductibles, and what limits you choose.
• The age of your roof.
• Your home’s proximity to a fire station, fire hydrant, or other emergency services.
• The condition of your home’s plumbing system.
• Your insurance claims history.
• The size of your home.

I rent a condo in St. John's. Can I still buy home insurance?

Yes, home insurance policies can be bought by homeowners, renters, and more. If you are a tenant, your landlord may already mandate that you obtain renter's insurance. Your insurance broker can verify if your coverage is in accordance with the conditions of your rental agreement. Moreover, while a landlord may decide not to require tenant insurance, it can be extremely beneficial to purchase it anyway.

Keep in mind that a landlord's insurance policy typically does not cover their tenants' personal property. As such, should your building catch fire or should the unit above you flood, raining water down into yours, renters insurance can financially help you replace your damaged or lost belongings.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.