Ontario homes differ in many ways, such as their age, condition, and size. While many homeowners know how these differences affect their home’s price on the real estate market, there’s another important value they affect: your home insurance premiums.
If your home is considered high-risk, standard home insurance may be harder to get. You may need to look to insurers or brokers that work with non-standard properties. Read on to learn what factors insurers consider when assessing your risk profile and how to improve insurability.
To explain why a home may be difficult to insure and what to do next, our editorial team reviewed the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s home-insurance guide, FCAC’s disaster and claims guidance, the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s wildfire guidance, and FSRA’s Ontario property-insurance guide.
What Is High-Risk Home Insurance In Ontario?
If a standard insurer will not provide property insurance or will only provide it with restrictions, higher deductibles or required repairs, a licensed broker may be able to find non-standard coverage.
First, though, find out why they won’t insure your home. Ask for this in writing. Underwriting guidelines vary by company. Just because one company declines to insure a house or will only insure it with restrictions doesn’t mean that all companies will react the same way. Verify why they won’t insure it or won’t renew coverage before changing anything or applying elsewhere.
What To Do After A Decline Or Non-Renewal
| Step | Action | Evidence or question |
|---|---|---|
| Get the reason | Ask the insurer/broker to specify the underwriting issue, and what effective date. | Was the decision based on the property, occupancy, claims, payment, location or missing information? |
| Correct errors | Also note roof age, condition of electrical/plumbing, type of heat source, occupancy, square footage, claims history. | What source did the insurer use, and how can you submit corrected documents? |
| Document repairs | Save all permits, invoices, pictures, inspection reports. Hire qualified professionals. | Will the insurer reconsider after a specific repair, and what proof will it accept? |
| Use the right market | Talk to a licensed broker about coverage options in the standard and specialty markets based on your actual risk. | Does the broker have access to markets that your current seller did not approach? |
| Compare restrictions | Review the scope of coverage, including covered perils and exclusions; policy limits; deductibles; basis of settlement; and conditions. | What protection is removed or narrowed compared with your previous policy? |
| Prevent a gap | Arrange replacement coverage before the current policy ends. | What date and time does each policy stop and start? |
Read More: Review Steps to Take After a Home Insurance Rejection
What Can Make A Home High Risk To Insure?
Several factors can make Ontario home insurers deem your home a high-risk property. Here are some key elements that insurers look at:
How Property Details Can Change A Toronto Quote
| Property detail | Annual premium | Difference from $2,247 |
|---|---|---|
| Home built before 1940 | $2,642 | +17.6% |
| Roof age of 21 years or more | $2,411 | +7.3% |
| Fuse panel | $2,411 | +7.3% |
| Mixed copper and ABS plumbing | $2,458 | +9.4% |
Thousands of home insurance quotes collected by MyChoice since the beginning of 2026 allow us to analyze how changing one aspect at a time affects home insurance rates. All variations are compared to the Benchmark Rate of our standard house in Toronto ($2,247/year).
Please note that you can’t aggregate these percentages to estimate the influence of various factors. Also, none of them constitute a sure sign that the insurer won’t insure a home.
Always provide the insurer with accurate information, such as dates, photos, and contractor’s reports, when asking for quotes.
The Impact Of Climate Change On Home Insurance
Ask about coverage for each peril, or cause of loss, individually. For instance, having coverage for fire doesn’t mean there’s coverage for earthquake, overland flood, sewer backup or service-line coverage. Earthquake and overland flood insurance is often an option. In some areas, these coverages may be limited or unavailable, and severe-weather risks can affect home insurance availability, cost, deductibles, and limits. Carefully review policy definitions and deductibles, including percentage-based deductibles and a separate water limit.
Which Repairs May Improve Insurability?
Repair an aged or leaking roof. Keep copies of permits, contractor information and repair materials. Hire qualified trades to inspect and correct issues relating to structure, heating, electrical, and plumbing. Have a plan to mitigate flooding with a backwater valve, sump pump, grading, water sensors, and find out whether insurers offer a discount for those precautions. Take sensible measures to reduce wildfire risk.
Address the reason for the underwriting decision. You may be able to improve the safety of the place and its eligibility for coverage, but don’t assume repairs will net a discount or qualify for coverage on the standard market.
Update your occupancy description before adding renters, hosting short-term guests, emptying a place, undertaking renovations, or using it for business.
Read More: Use the Home-Maintenance Checklist Before Reapplying
How to Reduce Your Risk Levels for Lower Home Insurance Quotes
Regular maintenance and updates to your home can reduce risks and may make insurance easier to obtain.
- Enhance your home security: Some insurers offer discounts if you implement home security measures to deter theft and vandalism, such as deadbolt locks, security cameras, and burglar alarm systems.
- Maintain proper yard upkeep: Maintain landscaping, improve drainage, and keep walkways neat. Regularly trim trees to reduce the risk of storm damage.
Read More: See When a Home Inspection May Help an Insurance Application
Read More: Compare Home Insurance in Ontario