The best way to protect your stunning, rural Cornwall home is through a robust insurance policy. While home insurance is not a requirement in Cornwall, you can’t go wrong with financial protection against property damage, liabilities, and unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters.
Getting the right home insurance policy is imperative if you’re one of these people looking to relocate to this scenic city. Explore your options for insurance in Cornwall, what perils each policy covers, and how to select the most affordable plan.
How Does Home Insurance Work In Cornwall?
When you get a home insurance quote in Cornwall 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 | $1,252 |
| Enhanced Water Protection | – Sewer Backup Endorsement – Ground Water Endorsement – Overland Water Endorsement – Broad Water Damage Endorsement | $249 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,501 |
*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 Cornwall by Dwelling Type
Below is the average home insurance price in Cornwall, categorized by dwelling type:
| Type of Dwelling | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Detached | $1,501 |
| Semi-Detached | $1,381 |
| Freehold Townhouse | $1,291 |
Does Where You Live in Cornwall Affect Your Home Insurance?
Yes, where you live in Cornwall can affect your home insurance rates. Here are a few ways your specific location within Cornwall can influence your insurance policy:
Postal Codes With the Most Expensive Home Insurance in Cornwall
K6J is the most expensive postal code in Cornwall when it comes to home insurance.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| K6J | $1,524 |
Postal Codes With the Least Expensive Home Insurance in Cornwall
People living in the K6K postal code area in Cornwall can enjoy some of the least expensive home insurance rates in the city.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| K6K | $1,478 |
How Cornwall Home Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Cornwall’s home insurance rates are on the higher end compared to nearby Eastern Ontario cities, exceeding costs in Kingston, Ottawa, and Brockville.
| City | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Cornwall | $1,501 |
| Brockville | $1,246 |
| Belleville | $1,667 |
| Kingston | $1,132 |
| Prince Edward County | $1,465 |
| Ottawa | $1,145 |
How Cornwall Home Insurance Rates Compare to Provincial Average
How much you pay for home insurance in Cornwall, Ontario, varies depending on the value of your home, the level of coverage you choose, the deductible amount, the type of construction, the age of the property, your claims history, and your chosen insurance provider. The average yearly home insurance premium in Cornwall is around $1,501, slightly higher than the Ontario average.
To get an accurate estimate of home insurance costs in Cornwall, contact insurance providers directly, provide the appropriate information about your property, and get a personalized quote.
Common Home Insurance Discounts in Cornwall
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 Cornwall:
| Discount Type | Average Percentage Savings | Average Discount Value |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Line (Home + Auto) | 11.4% | $171 |
| Claims-Free Discount | 16.5% | $248 |
| Alarm System (Burglar) | 7.5% | $113 |
| Alarm System (Fire) | 5.0% | $75 |
| Membership Discount (CAA) | 10.0% | $150 |
| Non-Smoker Discount | 7.5% | $113 |
What Risks Affect Homeowners in Cornwall?
Several risks and factors can affect your property as a homeowner in Cornwall, Ontario. Here are some common risks to consider:
Probability of Significant Disasters in Cornwall
On April 15, 2019, annual ice breakup along the Albany River forced Kashechewan First Nation to evacuate residents to various Ontario cities, including Cornwall.
The following MyChoice probability scores for Cornwall 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 Cornwall 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 Cornwall
Use this information from the 2021 Census of Population to better understand Cornwall’s housing landscape.
Homeownership Rate by Age in Cornwall
Homeownership rates in Cornall are quite low with people aged 55 to 74 having the highest rate of 62.5%.
| Age Group | Homeownership Rate |
|---|---|
| 15 to 24 | 8.9% |
| 25 to 39 | 37.6% |
| 40 to 54 | 52.3% |
| 55 to 74 | 62.5% |
| 75 and over | 62.3% |
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 Cornwall. 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 Cornwall?
While a home insurance policy in Cornwall isn’t mandated, applying for one can be a good idea for the following reasons:
- To attain financial protection in case of perils like fire, lightning, storms, vandalism, or theft
- To protect you in case someone is injured on your property and holds you responsible
- To satisfy mortgage requirements and protect lenders’ investments
- To cover personal belongings, including furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing, and other possessions, in case of a disaster
- To cover the costs of temporary accommodations, meals, and other necessities in case your home becomes uninhabitable
- To provide peace of mind
How You Can Get Cheap Home Insurance in Cornwall
Visit our Ontario page for practical tips on how to save money on home insurance.