By taking out a home insurance policy in Burlington, you can protect your home from unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters, theft, and liability from accidents.
While it’s not a requirement for owning a house, many mortgage companies require you to have an active home insurance policy before you’re eligible for a mortgage. If you’re planning on buying a house in Burlington, consider the benefits that home insurance can provide you.
Here, learn about the different types of home insurance in Burlington and how to get the best insurance premiums.
How Does Home Insurance Work In Burlington?
When you get a home insurance quote in Burlington 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 | $1,061 |
| Enhanced Water Protection | – Sewer Backup Endorsement – Ground Water Endorsement – Overland Water Endorsement – Broad Water Damage Endorsement | $211 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,272 |
*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 Burlington, as it’s identified as one of the most flood-prone cities in Ontario in our latest study.
Home Insurance Price in Burlington by Dwelling Type
Below is the average home insurance price in Burlington, categorized by dwelling type:
| Type of Dwelling | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Detached | $1,272 |
| Semi-Detached | $1,170 |
| Freehold Townhouse | $1,094 |
Does Where You Live in Burlington Affect Your Home Insurance?
Where you live in Burlington can affect your home insurance significantly. The Burlington neighborhood where you decide to live will be heavily considered by insurance companies when they calculate your insurance premiums. Here are some ways in which your home’s neighborhood can affect your insurance rates:
Postal Codes With the Most Expensive Home Insurance in Burlington
L7R is the most expensive postal code for home insurance in the Burlington area.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| L7R | $1,304 |
Postal Codes With the Least Expensive Home Insurance in Burlington
People living within the L7T postal code in Burlington can join some of the lowest home insurance prices in the region.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| L7T | $1,265 |
How Burlington Home Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Burlington’s home insurance rates are relatively moderate in the western GTA, lower than Oakville and Mississauga but slightly above nearby Hamilton.
| City | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Burlington | $1,272 |
| Oakville | $1,425 |
| Hamilton | $1,235 |
| Milton | $1,436 |
| Mississauga | $1,502 |
| St Catharines | $1,436 |
How Burlington Home Insurance Rates Compare to Provincial Average
Home insurance in Burlington usually costs around $1,272 per year on average. This rate is lower than the average for the province of Ontario. However, depending on some factors related to your home, you may expect to pay lower or higher than the average rate for the city of Burlington.
One of the most significant factors for determining your yearly home insurance premium is the location of your home. If you live in certain parts of Burlington, such as Appleby, Brant Hills, and Elizabeth Gardens, you can expect to get lower insurance premium rates. However, if you live in more expensive neighbourhoods, such as Aldershot or Kilbride, you will most likely be paying higher insurance rates.
Common Home Insurance Discounts in Burlington
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 Burlington:
| Discount Type | Average Percentage Savings | Average Discount Value |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Line (Home + Auto) | 11.4% | $145 |
| Claims-Free Discount | 16.5% | $210 |
| Alarm System (Burglar) | 7.5% | $95 |
| Alarm System (Fire) | 5.0% | $64 |
| Membership Discount (CAA) | 10.0% | $127 |
| Non-Smoker Discount | 7.5% | $95 |
What Risks Affect Homeowners in Burlington?
According to the Burlington government’s hazards and risk assessment, there are some natural and technological risks to owning a home in Burlington, Ontario:
Probability of Significant Disasters in Burlington
On July 8, 2013, the massive rainstorm that drenched Burlington also flooded parts of Burlington, leading to submerged roads and overwhelmed creeks.
The following MyChoice probability scores for Burlington 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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Below is a look at housing data in Burlington according to the 2021 Census of Population.
Homeownership Rate by Age in Burlington
Burlington seems to attract a lot of young homeowners, with a 64.8% homeownership rate for the age group of 25 to 39.
| Age Group | Homeownership Rate |
|---|---|
| 15 to 24 | 19.1% |
| 25 to 39 | 64.8% |
| 40 to 54 | 79.0% |
| 55 to 74 | 79.6% |
| 75 and over | 71.5% |
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 Burlington. 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 Burlington?
You need home insurance in Burlington if you want to keep your home and property protected from a myriad of unfortunate circumstances. Purchasing a home insurance policy can benefit you in the following ways:
- Protects you against damage from natural disasters such as floods, hail, earthquakes, fires, and other environmental forces
- Insures your home and personal belongings in case of theft, vandalism, or other malicious acts done to your property
- Protects you from having to pay when you’re liable for an accident or unfortunate event that happens on your property
- Provides you with living expenses in the event that your house is uninhabitable due to damage or ongoing repairs
- Allows you to meet mortgage companies’ requirements for home insurance before you can apply for a mortgage
How You Can Get Cheap Home Insurance in Burlington
If you’re trying to save money on home insurance in Burlington, visit our province page for practical tips.