If you want to own a home in Brantford, you may want to look into taking out a home insurance policy. Keeping your home safe and protected goes a long way toward peace of mind. Anyone planning to buy a home in this city should consider the benefits that Brantford home insurance provides.
Getting home insurance can help protect your home from natural disasters, theft, and other unfortunate circumstances. Whether it’s a small house in Greenbrier or a mansion in Holmedale, a home insurance policy can prevent you from being caught off-guard when disaster strikes.
Here, learn about the different types of home insurance in Brantford and how to get the best insurance premiums.
How Does Home Insurance Work In Brantford?
When you get a home insurance quote in Brantford 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 | $1,156 |
| Enhanced Water Protection | – Sewer Backup Endorsement – Ground Water Endorsement – Overland Water Endorsement – Broad Water Damage Endorsement | $230 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,386 |
*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 Brantford, as it’s identified as one of the most flood-prone cities in Ontario in our latest study.
Home Insurance Price in Brantford by Dwelling Type
Below is the average home insurance price in Brantford, categorized by dwelling type:
| Type of Dwelling | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Detached | $1,386 |
| Semi-Detached | $1,275 |
| Freehold Townhouse | $1,192 |
Does Where You Live in Brantford Affect Your Home Insurance?
Where you live in Brantford can definitely affect your home insurance. When calculating your home insurance premiums, most insurers will consider factors related to where your house is located. There are a few ways in which your home’s neighbourhood can affect your insurance rates:
Postal Codes With the Most Expensive Home Insurance in Brantford
N3R is the most expensive postal code in Brantford for home insurance.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N3R | $1,402 |
Postal Codes With the Least Expensive Home Insurance in Brantford
People living in the N3V postal code area tend to have the cheapest home insurance rates in the city.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| N3V | $1,363 |
How Brantford Home Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Brantford’s home insurance rates lean toward the higher side compared to its neighbours, especially when placed against Kitchener and Cambridge.
| City | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Brantford | $1,386 |
| Cambridge | $1,149 |
| Hamilton | $1,235 |
| Woodstock | $1,307 |
| Kitchener | $988 |
| Guelph | $1,319 |
How Brantford Home Insurance Rates Compare to Provincial Average
Home insurance premiums in Brantford can vary greatly depending on a number of factors related to your home. However, the average insurance rate for most homeowners in Brantford is around $1,386, which is under the average home insurance rate for Ontario.
There are some neighbourhoods in Brantford that are more expensive to live in, so homeowners in areas like Ava Heights-Golfdale, Shellard Lane, Greenbrier, and Braneida Industrial Park can expect to pay more to keep their homes insured.
Common Home Insurance Discounts in Brantford
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 Brantford:
| Discount Type | Average Percentage Savings | Average Discount Value |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Line (Home + Auto) | 11.4% | $158 |
| Claims-Free Discount | 16.5% | $229 |
| Alarm System (Burglar) | 7.5% | $104 |
| Alarm System (Fire) | 5.0% | $69 |
| Membership Discount (CAA) | 10.0% | $139 |
| Non-Smoker Discount | 7.5% | $104 |
What Risks Affect Homeowners in Brantford?
Brantford homeowners should be aware that there are many risks that come with owning a home in the area. Some of these common risks include:
Probability of Significant Disasters in Brantford
On February 16, 2018, sudden ice jams on the Grand River caused flooding in Brantford, triggering a State of Emergency and forcing the evacuation of many homes.
The following MyChoice probability scores for Brantford 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 Brantford 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 Brantford
Below, take a look at housing data in Brantford according to the 2021 Census of Population.
Homeownership Rate by Age in Brantford
People aged 75 and over have the highest homeownership rate in Brantford while it seems that younger people aren’t as attracted to owning a house in the city.
| Age Group | Homeownership Rate |
|---|---|
| 15 to 24 | 24.0% |
| 25 to 39 | 56.8% |
| 40 to 54 | 68.6% |
| 55 to 74 | 70.5% |
| 75 and over | 72.3% |
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 Brantford. 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 Brantford?
Unlike mandatory auto insurance, you aren’t required to take out a home insurance policy in Brantford. However, it’s generally a good idea to purchase an insurance policy to protect your home against the following circumstances:
- In case of damage from natural disasters such as floods, hail, earthquakes, fires, and other environmental forces
- In case of theft, vandalism, or other malicious acts done to your property
- In case of an accident or unfortunate event happening on your property where you’re liable
- Some mortgage companies require home insurance before you can apply for a mortgage
How You Can Get Cheap Home Insurance in Brantford
If you’re looking to save money on home insurance in Brantford, visit our Ontario page for practical tips.