Home insurance coverage goes a long way towards giving you peace of mind. In unexpected events like theft, fire, or natural disaster, it can provide you with a sense of financial security that would otherwise be lacking.
Figuring out home insurance in Barrie, Ontario can be tricky if you don’t know the ins and outs. Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including how it works, what it costs, and how you can get the best rates.
How Does Home Insurance Work In Barrie?
When you get a home insurance quote in Barrie with MyChoice, you’re receiving a comprehensive policy that goes beyond just the basics — including Guaranteed Replacement Cost, which ensures your home will be rebuilt to its original condition even if the cost exceeds your dwelling coverage limit.
Your quote is made up of two main pillars: Base Residence / Dwelling (covering your home, contents, liability, and standard perils) and Enhanced Water Protection (covering floods, sewer backup, and groundwater seepage). Together, they form a complete protection package for your property and belongings.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included? | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Base Residence / Dwelling | – Dwelling Coverage – Outbuildings (detached structures) – Contents – Personal Liability – Voluntary Medical Payments – Voluntary Property Damage – Basic Water Damage | $1,064 |
| Enhanced Water Protection | – Sewer Backup Endorsement – Ground Water Endorsement – Overland Water Endorsement – Broad Water Damage Endorsement | $212 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,276 |
*A comprehensive home insurance policy protects your property and belongings against all perils except those specifically excluded by the policy. This typically includes: fire and smoke damage, wind and hail damage, lightning strikes, burst pipes (depending on the situation), falling objects (like trees or branches), theft and burglaries, and vandalism.
Base Residence / Dwelling Coverages:
| Coverage Type | Coverage Details | Average Coverage Amount/Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling Coverage | Covers the cost to rebuild your home after insured damage. | $1,000,000 |
| Outbuildings (detached structures) | Covers the cost to rebuild the detached structures (i.e. garages, sheds, fences). | $150,000 |
| Contents | Protects your belongings from damage or loss due to covered perils. | $750,000 |
| Personal Liability | Legal & medical costs if someone sues you for injury/property damage. | $1,000,000 |
| Voluntary Medical Payments | Pays limited medical expenses if someone is accidentally injured on your property, regardless of fault | $4,500 |
| Voluntary Property Damage | Covers small amounts for accidental damage you cause to someone else’s property (or damage caused by a minor in your care | $1,500 |
| Basic Water Damage | Protects against sudden and accidental internal water damage (e.g., burst pipes or overflowing appliances | $1,000,000 |
*Please note that the average coverage limits in the tables above and below are based on the dwelling coverage of $1 million and can vary by house and carrier.
Enhanced Water Protection:
| Coverage Type | Coverage Details | Average Coverage Amount/Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Sewer Backup Endorsement | Pays for damage caused by sewage or septic systems backing up into the home. | $100,000 |
| Ground Water Endorsement | Adds protection against damage from ground‑water seepage, which is not covered by standard policies. | $250,000 |
| Overland Water Endorsement | Covers damage from freshwater entering your home from rivers, lakes or heavy rainfall. This is typically optional and recommended for homes in flood‑prone areas. | $250,000 |
| Broad Water Damage Endorsement | A catch‑all rider that may combine overland water, sewer‑backup and ground‑water coverage and may also include protection for seepage or ice‑damming (depending on the insurer) | $250,000 |
*MyChoice recommends getting the enhanced water protection package if you live in flood-prone areas in Ontario, as mentioned in our latest study.
Home Insurance Price in Barrie by Dwelling Type
Below is the average home insurance price in Barrie, categorized by dwelling type:
| Type of Dwelling | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Detached | $1,276 |
| Semi-Detached | $1,174 |
| Freehold Townhouse | $1,097 |
Does Where You Live in Barrie Affect Your Home Insurance?
Yes, where you live in Barrie does affect your home insurance rates. The location of your home is one of the biggest factors that insurance providers use to determine your premiums. For example, if you live in an area with a higher crime rate or chance of flooding, your premiums will also be higher because of the greater risk in the area.
Historically, densely populated areas or neighbourhoods with a higher concentration of commercial establishments in Barrie are more susceptible to property crimes such as burglary, theft, or vandalism. This includes areas near the downtown core, the southeastern neighbourhood near Innisfel, and the area around Loggers Run near Essa Road.
Postal Codes With the Most Expensive Home Insurance in Barrie
L4N is a slightly more expensive postal code in Barrie for home insurance premiums on average.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| L4N | $1,312 |
Postal Codes With the Least Expensive Home Insurance in Barrie
L4M is the cheapest postal code in Barrie for home insurance.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| L4M | $1,245 |
How Barrie Home Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Barrie’s home insurance rates fall in the mid-range compared to nearby communities, landing higher than Collingwood but lower than Orillia and Midland.
| City | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Barrie | $1,276 |
| Innisfil | $1,330 |
| Newmarket | $1,329 |
| Orillia | $1,429 |
| Midland | $1,399 |
| Collingwood | $1,082 |
How Much Does Home Insurance in Barrie Usually Cost?
The average home insurance cost in Barrie is $1,276/year, which is lower than the Ontario average.
Common Home Insurance Discounts in Barrie
Certain insurers offer home insurance discounts that can significantly reduce your premium — sometimes by up to 20% when combined. Please note that these discounts depend on your property type, condition, the insurer and even external conditions like natural disasters or crime rates in your specific area. Talk to your broker or insurer to learn more about what discounts they offer in your area.
Here’s a look at the most common discounts you can get on home insurance in Barrie:
| Discount Type | Average Percentage Savings | Average Discount Value |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Line (Home + Auto) | 11.4% | $145 |
| Claims-Free Discount | 16.5% | $211 |
| Alarm System (Burglar) | 7.5% | $96 |
| Alarm System (Fire) | 5.0% | $64 |
| Membership Discount (CAA) | 10.0% | $128 |
| Non-Smoker Discount | 7.5% | $96 |
What Risks Affect Homeowners in Barrie?
According to the Barrie government’s hazards and risk assessment, there are some natural and technological risks to owning a home in Barrie, Ontario:
Probability of Significant Disasters in Barrie
On May 31, 1985, a powerful tornado outbreak hit Barrie and surrounding areas, resulting in multiple fatalities, hundreds of injuries, and many families left homeless.
The following MyChoice probability scores for Barrie are based on historical data from the Canadian Disaster Database (CDD), which has tracked major disasters in Canada since 1950. These scores represent the relative likelihood that each type of significant event could occur at least once in Barrie over the next decade. The comparison is made against both other regions in Canada and other types of events, helping illustrate where the greatest risks to homeowners may lie.
According to the CDD, an event is classified as significant if it results in 10 or more deaths, 100 or more people affected (injured, evacuated, or left homeless), an appeal for national or international assistance, historical importance, or severe damage that prevents a community from recovering on its own.
Housing Data in Barrie
Here’s the housing data in Barrie from the 2021 Census of Population:
Homeownership Rate by Age in Barrie
Relative to other Ontario cities like Ajax, homeownership among young adults (25-39) in Barrie is quite low, at just 54.7%, compared to 77.6% for the southern Ontario city.
| Age Group | Homeownership Rate |
|---|---|
| 15 to 24 | 16.3% |
| 25 to 39 | 54.7% |
| 40 to 54 | 73.8% |
| 55 to 74 | 75.4% |
| 75 and over | 67.8% |
What Is Not Included in a Typical Home Insurance Policy?
Even if you’ve opted for a highly comprehensive home insurance policy, there are some risks that insurers explicitly don’t include as a covered peril. These are called “exclusions” by home insurers.
Here are the most common home insurance exclusions:
This is by no means an exclusive list of risks typically excluded from a home insurance policy in Barrie. Talk to your home insurance provider to see what’s covered by your policy in case of loss or damage.
Why Do I Need Home Insurance in Barrie?
Having home insurance in Barrie is important for several reasons:
How You Can Get Cheap Home Insurance in Barrie
Visit our main provincial home insurance page to learn about tactics for reducing your home insurance premiums in Barrie.