An Insurer's Maintenance Checklist for Canadian Homes

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By Matthew Roberts

Published on July 02, 2025

2 minute read

MyChoice follows a strict content review process designed to ensure reliable and unbiased information.

A Home Maintenance Checklist At a Glance

Regular home maintenance is essential for keeping your home insurable. Most insurers consider the condition of your property when setting premiums or approving coverage.
If you don’t keep up with maintenance, your insurance company might deny your claim, especially if the damage is caused by neglect, normal wear and tear, or problems you could have prevented.
Water damage is a common issue that can often be avoided. That’s why it’s important to regularly check your gutters, sump pumps, and plumbing.
You can lower the risk of fire in your home by doing simple things like cleaning out your dryer vents, having your chimney serviced, and testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Taking care of your roof can help you avoid expensive repairs. Check your shingles, seal any gaps, and remove ice dams or branches hanging over your roof

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Why Your Insurer Cares About House Maintenance

When you purchase a home insurance policy, you’re agreeing with the insurance company to keep risks in your home as low as possible. Insurers factor in your home’s condition when they decide your home insurance premiums, or whether they’ll even insure you. If your house is poorly maintained, that means you’re at a high risk of filing claims, which can lead to higher premiums, reduced coverage, or even denial of coverage.

Can You Be Denied a Claim for Poor House Maintenance?

Yes, your insurance claim can be denied if your home is poorly maintained. Most home insurance policies have clauses regarding “wear and tear” or “preventable damage”. This means that if your roof was leaking for months and you didn’t take any action to address the issue, your insurance may not cover the damage when you file a roof insurance claim.

The same goes for mould, foundation cracks, pest damage, or even a house fire that starts because your chimney hasn’t been cleaned in years. If your insurer determines that you ignored clear warning signs or that you didn’t perform routine maintenance, any claims you make might be denied based on neglecting maintenance.

Maintenance Checklist to Prevent Claims by Category

Water Damage

Maintenance Item	Frequency
Test sump pump	Bi-annually
Inspect caulking around windows and tubs	Annually
Ensure downspouts discharge 6+ feet from the home	Every spring/fall
Clear eavestroughs/gutters	Every spring/fall
Check basement for signs of moisture or leaks	Quarterly
Inspect and service water heater if needed	Annually
Check hoses on washing machines and dishwashers for cracks	Annually
Ensure proper grading around foundation to direct water away	Every spring

Fire Hazard Prevention

Maintenance Item	Frequency
Clean dryer vents	Annually
Check electrical panels for corrosion or tripping	Annually
Maintain chimney and wood-burning appliances	Annually (before winter)
Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors	Monthly
Replace batteries in smoke/CO detectors	Annually
Keep flammable items away from furnace and water heater	Ongoing
Inspect fire extinguishers and replace if needed	Annually

Roof Neglect

Maintenance Item	Frequency
Check attic for moisture after snow	Every spring/winter
Inspect shingles after storms	After major events
Clear ice dams before they form	During winter
Trim tree branches overhanging the roof	Annually
Inspect and seal roof flashing	Annually

Liability Landmines

Maintenance Item	Frequency
Inspect walkways for cracks or heaving	Fall & spring
Salt driveways/paths in icy weather	As needed
Ensure railings are secure and to code	Annually
Secure loose deck boards and stairs	Annually
Keep yard tools and hoses stored properly	Ongoing
Ensure swimming pools are covered when unused	Ongoing

Pest Control

Maintenance Item	Frequency
Inspect for signs of rodent or insect activity	Quarterly
Seal exterior cracks and holes	During spring
Keep garbage bins sealed and away from home	Ongoing
Hire pest exterminator	As needed

Maintenance Item	Frequency
Replace furnace and AC filters	Every 1-3 months
Schedule professional HVAC inspection	Every spring/fall
Clean around HVAC units and vents	Monthly

Key Advice from MyChoice

Review the home maintenance checklist and schedule a date on your calendar for each maintenance task in advance. This will help you remember to do them when you need to.
Insurance companies will often require a home inspection before selling you a home insurance policy. Use the inspection report to identify areas in your home that require regular maintenance.
Document your home maintenance to help support any claims you may need to make. Take photos, save receipts, and keep any documents related to maintaining your home.

By Matthew Roberts

With over 7 years in the insurance industry, Matt focuses on home and life insurance, offering sharp analysis and insights on underwriting trends, coverage structures, and how market changes impact consumers.

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