Three houses with similar replacement costs may have very different insurance needs, particularly if one is located in the middle of the city in a flood-prone area (basement water risk), one is located in the middle of nowhere far from the closest fire hall (fire risk) and the last one is located far north (wildfire risk). Conditions will vary throughout Ontario for those risks.
This page looks at premiums for a standard profile in Ontario, how rates vary in different cities in Ontario and how much premiums vary based on the age of the house or roof. Use these tables of homeowners insurance quotes in Ontario to find out more about rebuilding costs, the importance of water coverage and older roofs, electrical, plumbing, heating, etc. Quotes in this table are from MyChoice data as of Jan. 2026.
Ontario Home Insurance: Key Premium Facts
The median home insurance premium for a home with a standard profile in Ontario is $2,250/yr or about $188/mo. Treat it as a benchmark only, as premiums will be different for your home depending on replacement cost, fire protection available, risk of basement water, condition of systems in an older home, etc.
| Median Annual Home Insurance Premium | $2,250 |
| Median Monthly Home Insurance Premium | $188 |
Which Ontario Cities Have the Highest Home Insurance Premiums?
Cities in northern Ontario have the highest rates in the data, including the most expensive city, Sudbury ($2,990) followed by Timmins ($2,978) because this may be attributed to several factors including the distance to fire-protection and other key services and contractors, wildfire risk, and bad winter-related losses.
Kenora and Elliot Lake are also above the $2,250 Ontario median. However, it’s always best to compare similar levels of coverage before blaming the discrepancy on geography.
| City | Median Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Sudbury | $2,990 |
| Timmins | $2,978 |
| Kenora | $2,892 |
| Elliot Lake | $2,853 |
| Sarnia | $2,782 |
| Sault Ste. Marie | $2,742 |
| Chatham | $2,731 |
| Windsor | $2,672 |
| North Bay | $2,671 |
| Orillia | $2,580 |
Where Are Home Insurance Premiums Lower in Ontario?
| City | Median Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Aurora | $1,742 |
| Newmarket | $1,803 |
| Burlington | $1,827 |
| Richmond Hill | $1,832 |
| Oakville | $1,857 |
| Pickering | $1,891 |
| Markham | $1,904 |
| Stratford | $1,932 |
| Vaughan | $1,945 |
| Thornhill | $1,950 |
Does My Home Size Impact My Insurance Rate in Ontario?
The premium growth is relatively steady for the first four size bands, and rises sharply for anything over 2,500 sq. ft. If you’re looking at rebuilding a large house in Ontario, the primary consideration isn’t the size of the property; it’s the actual cost to rebuild including the finishes of a basement, any additions or garages, and expensive building materials. Don’t look at the home’s sale price, look at the insurer’s estimated replacement cost.
| Home Size | Median Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Under 1,000 sq. ft. | $1,800 |
| 1,000-1,499 sq. ft. | $1,901 |
| 1,500-1,999 sq. ft. | $2,054 |
| 2,000-2,499 sq. ft. | $2,250 |
| 2,500-2,999 sq. ft. | $2,614 |
| 3,000+ sq. ft. | $2,916 |
Does the Age of My House Impact My Rate in Ontario?
In Ontario, for example, the profile goes down from $2,448 for a house built before 1940 to $1,948 for a home built in 2020 or after. A house being older doesn’t necessarily mean it’s higher risk, but your insurer will be interested to know when the roof, wiring, plumbing and heating systems have been upgraded. Make sure you have your permits and invoices handy as these will allow your insurer to better assess risk rather than relying only on the age of your home.
| Year Constructed | Median Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | $2,448 |
| 1940–1959 | $2,390 |
| 1960–1979 | $2,308 |
| 1980–1999 | $2,250 |
| 2000–2009 | $2,110 |
| 2010–2019 | $2,030 |
| 2020 or newer | $1,948 |
Understanding Your Home Insurance Coverage in Ontario
Enhanced water protection represents 15% of the representative annual home insurance premium for a standard Ontario home profile, while the home policy represents 85% of the premium.
The provincial result for Ontario includes very different homes and risks. First review the estimate on your dwelling. Then tailor your water, wildfire and winter-weather coverage to your specific location.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included? | Median Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Base Residence / Dwelling (Core Policy) | Rebuilding protection for the home and detached structures, contents, additional living expenses, liability and insured comprehensive risks. | $1,912 |
| Enhanced Water Protection (Separately Priced) | Water endorsements may include coverage for sewer backup, overland water, groundwater, or above-ground water. | $338 |
| Coverage Total | MyChoice standard home profile | $2,250 |
*In general, a comprehensive policy protects the structure of the building and its contents against any cause of loss (peril) unless excluded. Fire, smoke, wind, hail, lightning, some kinds of water damage such as from a burst pipe, weight of falling objects, theft, vandalism, etc., can be included. Coverage will be subject to policy limitations, deductibles, exclusions and other conditions.
Does My Roof Age Impact My Home Insurance Rate in Ontario?
Premium prices increase progressively with roof age. There’s a $342 difference between the lowest and the highest age category.
If your roof is getting close to its 20th birthday, call your insurance provider and find out what happens when it turns 20. Is there an inspection requirement, a special deductible for hail/wind coverage or does the insurer simply pay out claims for actual rather than replacement value?
Keep photo-documentation of the condition of your roof on hand, in addition to documentation about its installation.
| Roof Age | Median Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| 0–5 yrs | $2,068 |
| 6–10 yrs | $2,158 |
| 11–20 yrs | $2,250 |
| 21+ yrs | $2,410 |
Read More: Why Roof Condition Matters When Insuring a Home in Ontario
What Risks Affect Homeowners in Ontario?
Certain parts of Ontario are situated closer to bodies of water or faults, and thus their houses may be more susceptible to damage or loss from these events:
Read More: How Severe Winter Weather Can Test Home Insurance in Ontario
Relative Home Insurance Hazard Indicators in Ontario
Ontario has a variety of risk drivers at play: flood, tornado and snowstorm claims are all Medium-High; wildfire claims are Medium; and crime claims are Low-Medium.
The practical priority depends on the address: urban basements need careful water wording, rural properties need fire-protection details, and older homes need accurate rebuilding and system information. Match deductibles and endorsements to the exposure rather than treating provincial labels as a substitute for a local quote.
These directional MyChoice claim-risk indicators use the historical significant-event record and the location context discussed on this page. They are not an actuarial forecast for a particular address.
- Flood-related Claim Probability: Medium-High
- Crime-related Claim Probability: Low-Medium
- Wildfire-related Claim Probability: Medium
- Tornado-related Claim Probability: Medium-High
- Hurricane-related Claim Probability: Low
- Snowstorm-related Claim Probability: Medium-High
Ontario Home Insurance Trends: What Is Driving Costs?
According to the homeowners’ home and mortgage insurance price index from Statistics Canada, the typical price of insurance has gone up by 36.5% in Ontario from December 2020 to December 2025 for a constant insurance profile, though your increase at renewal could be more or less than this.
Extreme weather is more frequent and severe and increases losses. For example, the July and August floods in Ontario resulted in over $1 billion in insured losses, which was the second-costliest flood season ever in Ontario. Replacement costs have risen 23.5% in Canada from December 2020 to December 2025 to rebuild your home if it’s damaged or destroyed.
Take time to review your policy at renewal and make sure the cost to rebuild is accurate. Don’t assume that the limits from last year will be adequate this year. Double-check recent renovations, your water coverage (endorsements), your roof, the settlement basis, deductibles , additional living expenses and so on. Make sure you’re comparing apples-to-apples when shopping for a lower premium. Prices can be misleading if limits or exclusions have been added.
Smoke detectors and deadbolts appear much more often in the quote data than sump pumps and backwater valves, a notable mismatch where flooding and sewer backup are recurring concerns. Basement owners should consider the device that fits the drainage setup and confirm that it is installed and maintained to the insurer’s requirements.
What Additional Protections Do Ontario Homeowners Choose?
Smoke detectors and deadbolts are common in the quote data, while sump pumps and backwater valves appear far less often. That is a notable mismatch for a province where flooding and sewer backup are recurring concerns. Homes with basements should consider which water-control device fits the drainage setup, then confirm that the device is installed and maintained to the insurer’s requirements.
| Protection | Share of Quotes | Why It May Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Sump pump | 12.3% | Helps remove water collecting below basement level before it rises indoors. |
| Smoke detectors | 83.8% | Provides early warning of smoke or fire and may help occupants respond sooner. |
| Deadbolt locks | 41% | Strengthens common entry points and may reduce forced-entry exposure. |
| Backwater valve | 5.3% | Helps prevent sewage or drain water from backing up into your home. |
Read More: How Garage Damage May Be Covered at Properties in Ontario
FAQs About Home Insurance in Ontario
How much is home insurance in Ontario?
For the standardized MyChoice profile used on this page, the median annual premium is $2,250, or about $188 per month. Treat this as a benchmark rather than a universal price. The address, rebuilding value, construction, roof and system updates, claims history, deductible and optional coverage can all change an individual quote.
Is home insurance mandatory in Ontario?
No. Ontario law does not require homeowners to buy home insurance. A mortgage lender will usually require property insurance and may ask to be named on the policy because the home secures the loan. Owners without a mortgage should still weigh the cost of rebuilding the home, replacing belongings, living elsewhere after a covered loss and responding to a liability claim.
Do I need home construction insurance in Ontario for my renovation?
Tell your insurer before work begins. A small renovation may only require an updated dwelling value, while major structural work, an addition or a period when the home is vacant may require a builder’s risk or course-of-construction policy. Confirm the arrangement before materials arrive, and keep permits, contracts and invoices so the finished work can be reflected accurately.
What is the home insurance claims process in Ontario?
Once everyone is safe, limit further damage when it is reasonable to do so and contact the insurer or broker promptly. Document the loss with photos or video, keep damaged items unless disposal is authorized and save receipts for emergency work and temporary accommodation. The insurer will review the policy, assign an adjuster when needed and explain the deductible and settlement. If a dispute remains, follow the insurer’s complaint process first, then consider the General Insurance OmbudService; FSRA accepts complaints involving possible regulatory non-compliance.
Can you cancel home insurance in Ontario?
Yes. Check the policy’s cancellation instructions and ask the insurer to confirm the effective date and any refund or charge in writing. Arrange replacement coverage before cancelling if the home will remain insured, and notify the mortgage lender when the insurer or policy changes. A lapse can leave the property uninsured and may make later coverage harder or more expensive to obtain.
Do I need home insurance for Airbnb in Ontario?
A standard home policy should not be assumed to cover short-term rental activity. Tell the insurer before listing the property or accepting guests. Depending on how often and how much of the home is rented, you may need an endorsement or a different policy. Platform protection is not a substitute for checking the home policy’s property, liability, theft and water-damage terms.
I have a vacation home in another city in Ontario. Can I insure that home too even if I don’t always live there?
Yes. A seasonal or vacation property may be added to a primary-home policy or insured separately, depending on the insurer. Coverage can be narrower than it is for a principal residence because the property may sit unoccupied or be farther from emergency services. Disclose how often it is used and whether it is rented, and check named perils, water restrictions, winterization duties, contents, outbuildings and liability.
Is fire insurance mandatory in Ontario?
There is no separate Ontario law requiring homeowners to buy fire insurance. Fire and smoke are commonly insured perils within a home policy, and a mortgage lender will generally require property insurance that protects its interest in the home. Confirm the dwelling limit, settlement basis, deductible and exclusions instead of assuming every fire-related cost is covered.
Can I bundle home insurance with auto insurance in Ontario?
Yes. Some insurers offer a discount when home and auto policies are placed together. Compare the combined price against separate quotes with the same limits and deductibles, and check how a claim, renewal or cancellation of one policy could affect the other. A bundle is useful only when both the price and coverage remain competitive.
It’s my first time owning a house in Ontario. What type of home insurance should I get?
Start with the cost to rebuild the home—not its purchase price—and compare comprehensive and named-perils options. Review contents, additional living expenses, personal liability, sewer backup, overland water and groundwater, plus any risks specific to the address. Choose a deductible you could comfortably pay after a loss, and have a licensed representative explain exclusions before you remove coverage to lower the premium.
Who has the best home insurance rates in Ontario?
No insurer is consistently cheapest for every Ontario property. Each company applies its own eligibility and pricing rules, so the lowest provider can change with the address, rebuilding value, construction, claims history and coverage selected. Compare several quotes using the same limits, deductibles and endorsements so a lower price is not the result of weaker protection.
Will I be charged if I switch home insurance providers in Ontario?
Possibly. Cancelling before the policy’s expiry date may trigger a short-rate cancellation charge or reduce the refund, depending on the contract. Ask the current insurer for the exact cancellation amount, compare it with the expected savings and start the replacement policy before the old one ends. Switching at renewal often avoids a mid-term cancellation charge.
What companies offer high-risk home insurance in Ontario?
There is no permanent list because insurer eligibility changes by property and risk. Homes with repeated claims, older unupdated systems, vacancy, prior cancellations or unusual construction may need a specialty market. A licensed broker can check standard and specialty options; compare exclusions, deductibles, settlement terms and insurer eligibility rather than selecting on price alone.
What is a home insurance peril?
A peril is a cause of loss, such as fire, wind, hail, theft or vandalism. A named-perils policy covers only the perils listed, while a comprehensive policy generally covers accidental direct physical loss unless the cause is excluded. Water, earthquake, wear and tear, repeated leakage and maintenance-related damage require especially careful wording because they may be excluded, restricted or available only by endorsement.
