With so many moving parts, home insurance can be challenging to understand. But if you want to protect yourself, your home, and your loved ones, there are a few basic things you need to know.
Keep reading to learn all about home insurance in Kingston, including how the process works, what affects your premiums, and where to find the best insurance providers for you.
How Does Home Insurance Work In Kingston?
When you get a home insurance quote in Kingston 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 | $944 |
| Enhanced Water Protection | – Sewer Backup Endorsement – Ground Water Endorsement – Overland Water Endorsement – Broad Water Damage Endorsement | $188 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,132 |
*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 Kingston, as it’s identified as one of the most flood-prone cities in Ontario in our latest study.
Home Insurance Price in Kingston by Dwelling Type
Below is the average home insurance price in Kingston, categorized by dwelling type:
| Type of Dwelling | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Detached | $1,132 |
| Semi-Detached | $1,041 |
| Freehold Townhouse | $973 |
Does Where You Live in Kingston Affect Your Home Insurance?
Yes, where you live in Kingston can affect your home insurance. Insurance providers take into account various factors related to your location when determining your home insurance rates and coverage. Here are some ways in which the location within Kingston can impact your home insurance:
Postal Codes With the Most Expensive Home Insurance in Kingston
K7K is the most expensive postal code in Kingston when it comes to home insurance.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| K7K | $1,164 |
Postal Codes With the Least Expensive Home Insurance in Kingston
People living in the K7N postal code area can enjoy some of the cheapest home insurance rates in Kingston.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| K7M | $1,103 |
How Kingston Home Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
Kingston’s home insurance rates are on the lower side in Eastern Ontario, noticeably more affordable than Belleville, Cornwall, and Prince Edward County.
| City | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Kingston | $1,132 |
| Belleville | $1,667 |
| Brockville | $1,246 |
| Cornwall | $1,501 |
| Prince Edward County | $1,465 |
| Peterborough | $1,204 |
How Much Does Home Insurance in Kingston Usually Cost?
The cost of home insurance in Kingston is around $1,132/year. This is much lower than Ontario’s average of $1,423/year.
Common Home Insurance Discounts in Kingston
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 Kingston:
| Discount Type | Average Percentage Savings | Average Discount Value |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Line (Home + Auto) | 11.4% | $129 |
| Claims-Free Discount | 16.5% | $187 |
| Alarm System (Burglar) | 7.5% | $85 |
| Alarm System (Fire) | 5.0% | $57 |
| Membership Discount (CAA) | 10.0% | $113 |
| Non-Smoker Discount | 7.5% | $85 |
What Risks Affect Homeowners in Kingston?
Canadian homeowners across the nation experience similar natural and man-made risks, but there are a few risks specific to the Kingston area. These include:
Probability of Significant Disasters in Kingston
On July 8, 2013, although Kingston received the heaviest rainfall, the same weather system brought elevated water levels and stormy conditions near Kingston.
The following MyChoice probability scores for Kingston 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 Kingston 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 Kingston
Learn more about the average Kingston home, based on housing data in the 2021 Census of Population:
Homeownership Rate by Age in Kingston
Below are the homeownership rates in Kingston, categorized by different age groups.
| Age Group | Homeownership Rate |
|---|---|
| 15 to 24 | 7.1% |
| 25 to 39 | 38.2% |
| 40 to 54 | 64.5% |
| 55 to 74 | 68.6% |
| 75 and over | 62.4% |
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 Kingston. 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 Kingston?
Home insurance is not mandatory in Kingston, but we highly recommend getting a policy. Here’s why:
How You Can Get Cheap Home Insurance in Kingston
Visit our Ontario page for practical tips and learn how to save money on home insurance.