What Risks Affect Homeowners in Fort McMurray
Fort McMurray is often exposed to extreme weather. Here are some common risk factors homeowners in Fort McMurray should watch out for:
Crime
Crime levels vary in each city, but the overall crime rate in Alberta rose 5% between 2022 and 2023. A higher crime rate means you may encounter more theft, vandalism, and other incidents that damage your home.
Fire
Alberta sees an average of 208 wildfires annually from 2018 to 2022. However, that number doubled in 2023 with 416 wildfire incidents as of May. The fire risk in Alberta is high because the natural freeze and thaw cycles create dry grass that can ignite and start wildfires. Moreover, fires can start from human error due to lit cigarettes, candles, and electronic malfunctions. The May 2016 fire in Fort McMurray illustrates how dangerous unchecked wildfires can be. Unusually hot and dry weather conditions led to a fire that caused over 88,000 people to evacuate their homes. It was the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta’s history.
Flooding
Due to heavy rain and snow melt, Alberta is prone to flooding. Many of these are flash floods, meaning you may not have enough time to prepare. Since flash floods come with little to no warning, your property damage may be more severe. How dangerous is an ice dam flood? The March 2020 flood in Fort McMurray resulted in the evacuation of 13,000 residents and claimed the life of one person.
Hail and storms
Damage from high winds, storms, and hail is very common in Alberta. Adverse weather can damage your roofs, windows, and outdoor furniture if you don’t take steps to mitigate their effects.
On-property accidents
Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere, regardless of how safe your home is. People may hold you liable for slips and falls that happened on your property, which is where home insurance comes in. Home insurance policies can cover numerous costs related to a slip and fall lawsuit.
How Does Home Insurance in Fort McMurray Work?
Home insurance in Fort McMurray works by providing financial coverage if your home and its contents suffer damage from unforeseen events. If the unforeseen event is covered in your policy, you can make an insurance claim to receive monetary compensation. The same principle applies to tenant insurance and condo insurance, which do the same but for different dwelling types.
There are three types of home insurance coverage in Fort McMurray:
An Fort McMurray home insurance policy comes with a standard set of insurance protection. Here’s an overview of the four coverages you get from Fort McMurray home insurance:
- Additional living expenses coverage: This pays for extra living expenses if you have to live away from home after your home suffers damage or loss.
- Building coverage: This covers damages to your home’s main structure as well as any structures attached to it. This coverage also extends to swimming pools and permanent outdoor installations.
- Contents coverage: This pays for repair or rebuilding costs for your home if it was damaged by covered risks.
- Liability coverage: This provides financial protection from property damage and injury claims made by third parties. Essentially, it foots your medical bills and legal fees if you get sued.
Fort McMurray home insurance policyholders can also get additional coverage to round out their protection. Here are common add-ons you can purchase for your policy:
- Earthquake insurance: This provides insurance coverage for earthquake-caused losses and damages.
- Flood insurance: This pays for damages caused by overland water or sewer backups.
- Home-based business insurance: This covers any business-related risks like damaged stocks. You need this optional endorsement if you run a business at home. Otherwise, your insurer may not accept the claim.
- Home-sharing insurance: This is an endorsement for short-term rental providers that protect them from risks like guest liabilities and theft of personal items.
- Identity theft insurance: This covers any financial costs incurred due to an identity theft incident.
- Personal valuables insurance: This enhances your contents coverage by extending its coverage limits.
- Umbrella insurance: This increases the liability coverage limit on your main insurance policy.
Your basic home insurance coverage in Fort McMurray only protects your home and its contents from specifically-named risks. This means you’ll only receive compensation if the listed perils damage your home. For instance, if your policy only has fire coverage, you won’t get coverage if a thief breaks into your home.
Broad home insurance is the mid-priced option that protects your home from all standard perils. However, the contents of your home only get basic coverage, meaning they’re only protected from risks stated in your policy.
Comprehensive coverage protects your home and its contents from all risks. However, some risks are specifically excluded from your policy – you can buy optional coverage to further safeguard your home.
Housing Data in Fort McMurray
Fort McMurray boasts abundant natural resources, especially oil. Sat in the middle of the Athabasca Oil Sands, Fort McMurray’s oil and mining industry employs a large part of the city’s workforce.
With the oil industry being such a large force in Fort McMurray, the average salary in the city is higher than in many places in Canada. However, living costs in the area are also higher to balance things out.
Despite its reputation as an oil town, Fort McMurray still boasts a variety of natural sights and great local attractions to keep you occupied. There’s something for everyone, from sports complexes and hiking trails to golf clubs. With a good combination of high earnings and great views, it’s no wonder many oil and gas professionals decide to move to Fort McMurray.
Moving to Fort McMurray can be a lucrative decision if you’re in the oil industry, but is it right for you? Looking at the city’s housing data can help you decide. Here’s a rundown of key residential statistics from the 2021 Census of Population:
Type of Occupied Dwelling
Out of the 24,505 surveyed households, 46.8% live in single-detached houses, making them the most popular dwelling type in Fort McMurray. Low-rise apartments are the second-most popular dwelling type, with 5,610 households or a 22.9% share. Due to the number of seasonal workers in Fort McMurray, movable dwellings are also relatively popular, with 2,400 households or a 9.8% share of the total population.
Owner vs Renter Stats/Condo vs Non-Condo Owner
Based on the 25% data taken by the census, two-thirds (66.5%) of Fort McMurray’s households are homeowners, while the remaining one-third (33.5%) are renters. A little over a quarter (28.2%) of Fort McMurray households live in condominiums, while the remaining 71.8% live in non-condos.
Private Dwellings by Period of Construction: New or Older Homes?
There’s a relatively even spread of home construction periods across Fort McMurray’s history. Most of the city’s residents live in homes built between 2006 and 2010 (19.9% share) or between 1961 and 1980 (19.5% share). Meanwhile, residents of older homes are quite rare, with just 325 households (1.3% share) living in homes built before 1960.
Major Repairs or Just Maintenance Needed?
While the age of homes in Fort McMurray varies greatly, they’re almost universally well-maintained, with 94.8% of households saying their homes only needed regular maintenance and minor repairs. Meanwhile, the remaining 5.2% said their homes needed major repairs.
Who Provides Home Insurance Quotes in Fort McMurray?
There are different ways that you can get a home insurance quote in Fort McMurray. Here are the four providers that you can use or contact for home insurance rates:
Insurance brokers
Insurance brokers can represent you as a buyer and get quotes from multiple insurance companies, as well as advice on choosing a policy.
Direct writers
A direct writer is an insurance company that doesn’t have independent agents offering their quotes and policies. Typically, direct writers offer their products through their official websites and/or their call centres.
Insurance agents
Insurance agents are independent professionals who can provide quotes and policy information from the companies they work with.
Insurance aggregators
Insurance aggregators are online platforms like MyChoice that allow you to compare rates and coverage options from multiple providers. Because these allow you to input your information and receive quotes from multiple providers in one place, this can save you time and effort.
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:
Criminal activities
If your home was damaged due to criminal activity, it won’t be covered by your insurance policy.
Damage from tenants
Generally, home insurance companies require specific coverage for homeowners/landlords who plan to rent out their properties. A standard home insurance policy won’t include coverage if you rent your home out and the tenant causes damage.
Earthquakes
Most policies exclude this risk, but you can cover earthquake losses and damage as an add-on to a standard policy.
Failure to maintain your home
Damage or losses caused by poor home upkeep (e.g., clogged storm drains, broken bannisters) won’t be covered, as your insurer deems it your responsibility to manage wear and tear.
Flood damage
Flooding is typically not covered by a standard policy, but it may be included as an add-on.
Home business activities
Home businesses will need separate home-based business insurance to cover home or equipment damage.
Insect damage
Because this is considered a preventable risk, most insurers don’t cover insect damage.
Mortgage or property taxes
These are separate expenses handled by policy owners as they’re unrelated to your home insurance policy.
Mould
Mould caused by poor home maintenance is typically excluded by home insurance policies. Note that this is separate from mould caused by an insured peril, which will be covered by your policy.
Vacant dwelling risks
Many insurers may void your insurance if you leave your home vacant for a prolonged period.
This is by no means an exclusive list of risks typically excluded from a home insurance policy in Fort McMurray. Talk to your home insurance provider to see what’s covered by your policy in case of loss or damage.
How Much Does Home Insurance in Fort McMurray Usually Cost?
Home insurance in Fort McMurray costs around $920 annually. Home insurance premiums are affected by factors like your home’s age, roofing type, proximity to fire hydrants, and more.
Using your home as a place of business may also influence your home insurance rates. Using your home for business means more people coming in and out of your property, increasing your liability and risk of losing belongings.
Why Do I Need Home Insurance in Fort McMurray?
There are many risks to your Fort McMurray home. From flooding due to heavy rain to fires, unforeseen incidents can damage your home or its attached structures severely, which can take a lot of money to repair. Somebody can even get into an accident on your property, which might result in hefty legal and medical fees.
Unexpected expenses due to these incidents can stretch your finances thin. The good news is that home insurance can help. A home insurance policy can foot your home repair bills if a covered peril damages it. Additionally, it pays for the many costs associated with personal injury lawsuits.
With the many options for home insurance, which one is right for you? There’s no one “best” home insurance policy for everybody, so you need to learn more about home insurance in Fort McMurray to make the right decisions.
You technically don’t need home insurance in Fort McMurray, because it’s not a legal requirement for homeowners. However, you should still get a policy to protect your home as well as its contents. Here are three main reasons why having a home insurance policy is a good idea:
Loss or damage protection
Home insurance protects your property from perils like fire and theft. It does so by providing financial compensation if your property experiences loss or damage due to unforeseen events.
Mortgage requirements
Your mortgage lender may require home insurance as part of their loan conditions. Lenders tell borrowers to get home insurance to protect their investments.
Liability coverage
In addition to protecting your home, insurance provides liability coverage to settle legal fees if somebody gets injured on your property.
What Determines the Cost of Home Insurance in Fort McMurray?
The cost of home insurance in Fort McMurray varies depending on several considerations, such as your zip code, your property type, and even your credit score. Here are some of the different cost factors for home insurance in Fort McMurray:
Accessory Dwellings
Detached private structures like tool sheds, pool houses, and gazebos may increase your home insurance premiums. Further, a pool typically increases your premiums because of the increased risk of drowning, as well as the extra cost of maintaining a surrounding fence and lock. Make sure your home insurance covers all of your detached structures.
Credit Score
The majority of Canadian provinces use your credit score to determine your home insurance premium. This is because it’s often perceived that a bad credit score increases the risk of providing home insurance, as it increases the odds of late or non-payment of premiums.
Internal Construction
If your home is older, in poor condition, or needs to update systems like heating and plumbing, it may be pricier to insure. This is because older electrical, heating, and plumbing systems increase the risk of certain accidents like fires and water damage from leaks.
Location
If you live in an area prone to natural disasters like earthquakes or flooding, your premiums may be higher. Insurers also tend to charge higher premiums in areas where more homeowners have filed claims over recent years.
Replacement Cost
Replacement cost is based on how much it would cost to rebuild your home at its present condition and value. The higher your home’s present value, the more expensive it is to insure. Note that when factoring in replacement cost, you’ll need to inform your home insurer of any expensive items or upgrades like jewellery or artwork which will need extra coverage.
Past Claims History
Simply put, the more claims you have in a 10-year period, the higher your monthly premiums will be. As a general rule, make sure that the cost of your potential claim is higher than your policy deductible, which is the amount you have to pay before your insurer covers the rest.
Pets
Some insurance providers will ask you to disclose the number, type, and breed of any pets you may have, as some pets are considered an additional liability risk.
Property Type
Whether you live in a condo unit or a single-detached home, different types of dwellings will be evaluated differently by an Fort McMurray insurer as each comes with different risks.
Renovations And Improvements
Some improvements can lower or increase your home insurance premiums. For example, converting a room into a home theatre may increase your home’s present value, so your premiums may go up. On the other hand, improvements that increase home safety like an alarm system may lower your premiums. Note that you should tell your home insurer both before and after you renovate your Fort McMurray home.
Roof
The average asphalt shingle roof will begin to wear down after approximately 10 to 15 years. Unless it’s properly maintained and repaired, your roof may increase the risk of letting water leak in and damage your house. Fort McMurray home insurers may lower your quotes if they see that your home’s roof is made with high-quality, durable materials.
Smoking Or Non-Smoking Policyholders
If you’re a non-smoker, an insurer may offer lower premiums as they consider it less likely that a cigarette or other smoking device will start a fire in your home.
Special Uses
While conducting business in your home won’t always increase your home insurance premiums, this depends greatly on the kind of business you’re running. For example, you can expect to pay more if you’re listing your home for short-term rentals or running a home-based catering company because there is more risk of liabilities or accidents.
Type Of Coverage You Choose
If you get a policy with a higher deductible, this will result in a lower premium. Additionally, the higher the coverage and the more risks you are protected against, the higher your premiums will be.
Your Chosen Insurer
Different insurers may offer varying quotes even for the same type of policy. Coverage costs vary between companies, so it’s important to shop around to find the best deal.
Does Where You Live in Fort McMurray Affect Your Home Insurance?
Where you live in Fort McMurray affects your home insurance. Living in an area known for severe weather events, thefts, or other perils increases your risk, making you more likely to file insurance claims. This leads to insurers giving you higher home insurance quotes than similar homes in safer areas.
For instance, a home in a flood-prone area might land higher insurance rates than a comparable home in an area where flooding is uncommon.
How You Can Get Cheap Home Insurance in Fort McMurray
If you’re trying to save money on your preferred home insurance coverage, here are some important steps to take:
Compare quotes
Comparison shopping between different providers will help you find the best rate for your desired policy type. Use an insurance aggregator like MyChoice to get and examine immediate quotes from various Fort McMurray home insurers.
Increase your deductible
You can ask your insurer if you can increase your deductible, a.k.a. the amount you pay before your insurer pays out the claim. Increasing this reduces the risk for your insurer that you’ll submit a claim, so they may offer to lower your premiums.
Bundle with auto insurance
Some companies offer bundled home and auto insurance at a good discount for both policies.
Renovate old home systems like wiring and plumbing
Renovating to remove known risks like faulty wiring and old plumbing may help reduce your premiums.
Pay annually
While hefty annual premium payments may be daunting, some insurance providers give you a discount in exchange as it reduces their administrative costs.
Install monitored alarms
The safer you make your home against thieves, the higher the chances that you’ll go claim-free. This may convince your home insurer to offer lower premiums. Install monitored home security systems to deter break-ins and get immediate notifications of disturbances.
FAQs About Home Insurance in Fort McMurray
Is home insurance in Fort McMurray mandatory?
No, home insurance in Fort McMurray is not mandatory. However, you should still consider getting home insurance to cover your house and belongings. A home insurance policy can give you the funds you need to repair or rebuild your home after an insured event causes loss or damage.
What is not covered by a typical Fort McMurray home insurance plan?
The following are typically not covered by a Fort McMurray home insurance plan:
Flooding: Flooding is a separate add-on.
Earthquakes: This risk is typically not covered, but you may opt to get an earthquake risk add-on.
Wear and tear: Damage or destruction caused by improper home maintenance won’t be covered.
Tenant damage: You’ll need separate coverage if you plan to use your home for short-term rentals.
Insect damage: Most insurers consider this a preventable risk and won’t cover it.
Mortgage or property taxes: These expenses are excluded as they’re unrelated to your policy.
Vacant dwelling: Leaving your home vacant for an extended period may void your policy.
Mould: Only mould caused by an insured peril will be covered by your policy.
Criminal activities: Home insurance doesn’t cover damage due to criminal activity conducted in your home, such as fraud.
Home business activities: Home businesses need to get separate home-based business insurance.
Can you cancel home insurance in Fort McMurray?
Yes, you can cancel home insurance in Fort McMurray. Note that cancelling your home insurance before its expiry may cause you to incur penalties and cancellation charges. That said, switching to a more affordable home insurer can offset the costs of cancelling your old policy.
Check your policy’s terms and conditions first to find out how to cancel your policy and what financial consequences to expect. Most home insurance companies will need a written notice of cancellation either physically mailed or emailed to them to formally start the step.
What factors aren’t used to calculate Fort McMurray home insurance rates?
These are some of the factors that companies typically won’t use to calculate Fort McMurray home insurance rates:
– Your age
– Your sex
– Your race
– Occupation (unless you regularly work from home, as some insurers may increase your quotes)
Some factors you may never even have considered can impact your rates, such as your marital status and credit score. Talk to your insurance company to find out more about what can increase or decrease your insurance quotes.
How do Fort McMurray home insurance claims work?
Here’s how Fort McMurray home insurance claims generally work, step by step:
Report the damage or loss: Inform your insurer about the loss or damage to file your claims. Include all relevant evidence, such as detailed descriptions of the event, photographs, and videos.
Evaluation: An adjuster from your home insurer will schedule a visit to assess the extent and value of the damage or destruction.
Approval or denial: After evaluating your documents and inspecting the damage, your insurer will either approve or deny your claim. If approved, they will offer a settlement amount.
Claim resolution: You can accept your settlement or negotiate with your insurer. In some instances, you may also file a dispute with the Alberta Superintendent of Financial Institutions (ASFI).
Do Fort McMurray real estate prices affect the cost of home insurance?
Yes, Fort McMurray real estate prices affect the cost of home insurance. While real estate prices aren’t used as a factor for calculating your home insurance premiums, they may indirectly affect the cost of coverage because they affect the cost of rebuilding or repairing a home that’s been damaged or destroyed.
Because higher real estate prices make the cost of rebuilding higher, this affects the amount of coverage you’ll need in a home insurance policy. Consequently, higher real estate prices tend to increase home insurance costs.
Do I need home insurance in Fort McMurray for Airbnb?
Yes, you need home insurance in Fort McMurray if you plan to use your house for short-term rentals on Airbnb. Getting home insurance isn’t mandatory and Airbnb offers very limited host protection insurance.
For peace of mind, getting home insurance for short-term rentals can protect your home. Notify your insurer if you plan to use your home as an Airbnb to see how much additional protection will cost. Renting your home out without informing them may void your policy.
Are Fort McMurray home insurance fees tax-deductible?
Generally, Fort McMurray home insurance fees aren’t deductible for personal residences. However, there are some instances where your home insurance fees may be tax-deductible, such as if your home is a rental property or used for business purposes. Consult a tax professional to see if you’re eligible for any deductions connected to your Fort McMurray home insurance fees.