From typical post-war singles, to those located along creeks, ravines, the Bluffs, every house in Scarborough is different. Neighbouring properties can have very different insurance risks. One may have previous basement flooding, another may have slope or runoff issues, and another may have old plumbing or electrical systems.
The median premium is very close to the Ontario median, but individual premiums can be very different throughout Scarborough. Knowing the insurance risks and premium helps determine priorities, such as mitigating flood risk, determining accurate replacement cost etc.
The cost can also vary based on size of home, year built, age of the roof, etc.
Key Facts About Home Insurance in Scarborough
Scarborough’s median of $2,294 is close to Ontario’s benchmark, while its local areas vary by $712.
The local variation makes an address-specific quote important. Consider basement water intrusion, slope or ravine exposure, and upgrades to an older home.
| Median Annual Home Insurance Premium | $2,294 |
| Median Monthly Home Insurance Premium | $191 |
| Scarborough Premium vs. Ontario Median | 2.0% more expensive |
| Lowest-Premium Postal Code Area | M1V ($1,939) |
| Highest-Premium Postal Code Area | M1M ($2,651) |
What Does Your Postal Code Mean for Home Insurance in Scarborough?
Rates start as low as $1,939 in the northeast (M1V) and work their way up to $2,651 in the M1M area near the Bluffs.
Keep in mind, however, when looking at quotes, it’s not necessarily an east/west pattern. Always be sure to check for proximity to water, elevation of property, previous sewer issues, condition of home, etc.
| Postal Code Area | Median Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| M1V | $1,939 |
| M1S | $1,953 |
| M1X | $2,100 |
| M1P | $2,121 |
| M1E | $2,330 |
| M1K | $2,376 |
| M1N | $2,477 |
| M1J | $2,586 |
| M1G | $2,595 |
| M1M | $2,651 |
How Much Does Home Size Matter for Insurance in Scarborough?
Above 2,500 sq. ft., the premium rises and reaches $3,792 in the largest band.
Areas of property located below grade can be particularly susceptible to water damage. Include additions, attached garages, finished basements, etc. when figuring rebuild amounts.
| Home Size | Median Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Under 1,000 sq. ft. | $1,812 |
| 1,000-1,499 sq. ft. | $1,943 |
| 1,500-1,999 sq. ft. | $2,198 |
| 2,000-2,499 sq. ft. | $2,294 |
| 2,500-2,999 sq. ft. | $2,923 |
| 3,000+ sq. ft. | $3,792 |
Home Insurance Rates by the Age of Your House in Scarborough
The differential between oldest and newest is $771.
Sometimes, evidence of major improvements to the electrical, plumbing, roofing, or drainage systems can take precedence over the age of the property during underwriting. This is particularly true in Scarborough, as many of the homes were built during the mid-20th century.
| Year Constructed | Median Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | $2,611 |
| 1940–1959 | $2,514 |
| 1960–1979 | $2,388 |
| 1980–1999 | $2,294 |
| 2000–2009 | $2,078 |
| 2010–2019 | $1,959 |
| 2020 or newer | $1,840 |
Is Home Insurance More Expensive in Scarborough Than in Nearby Locations?
Scarborough is priced above Pickering, Ajax, and Markham, and close to Toronto and Etobicoke.
Check these GTA benchmarks to see if you may be paying too much. Maintain uniform water limits and deductibles for comparison.
| City | Median Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Scarborough | $2,294 |
| Toronto | $2,247 |
| Pickering | $1,891 |
| Ajax | $2,010 |
| Markham | $1,904 |
| Etobicoke | $2,267 |
Read More: How Scarborough Homeowners Can Build a More Useful Insurance Estimate
What Does Home Insurance Cover in Scarborough?
About 15% pays for enhanced water protection, while about 85% pays for the core policy, including protection for the house, belongings, and liability. The median premium is $2,294.
There may be substantial variations in water exposure for Scarborough properties depending on ravines, bluffs, and age of basement. Check your address eligibility for coverage, water deductible, and if sewer backup, overland water, and groundwater share a single coverage limit.
| Coverage Type | What’s Included? | Median Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Base Residence / Dwelling (Core Policy) | May include the home and detached structures, personal belongings, temporary living costs, personal liability, and insured comprehensive-policy risks. | $1,945 |
| Enhanced Water Protection (Separately Priced) | Depending on the insurer, sewer-backup, surface-water, or groundwater protection may be available. | $349 |
| Coverage Total | MyChoice standard home profile | $2,294 |
A comprehensive policy generally protects the dwelling and its contents against insured risks unless the wording specifically excludes them. Those risks can include fire, smoke, wind, hail, lightning, certain sudden water damage, falling objects, theft and vandalism. The policy’s limits, deductibles, conditions and exclusions still apply.
What Scarborough Homeowners Should Check
Terms and types of water protection vary by insurer. Check to see if your package includes protection against overland floods, groundwater and/or sewer backup.
- whether the package covers sewer backup, overland flooding and groundwater seepage.
- whether one claim can reduce a shared limit available to the other water coverages.
- whether water losses use a different deductible from the main policy.
- whether gradual water entry, deterioration or poor maintenance is excluded.
- if previous water claims or the home’s location reduce the available protection.
How the Age of Your Roof Impacts Home Insurance Rates in Scarborough
Find out from your insurer how they would handle a wind or water-damage claim. Does depreciation play a factor with older shingles? Is an inspection necessary?
The oldest category is $345 more expensive to insure than the most up-to-date roofs in Scarborough.
| Roof Age | Median Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| 0–5 yrs | $2,110 |
| 6–10 yrs | $2,202 |
| 11–20 yrs | $2,294 |
| 21+ yrs | $2,455 |
What Insurers Review About Electrical and Plumbing Systems in Scarborough
Most of the homes in the Scarborough quote database have copper electrical wiring, copper plumbing, and a breaker panel.
With an older property, have you looked for documentation of any upgrades? Have you disclosed upfront if there are any legacy / mixed systems? Have you considered an inspection / trade report?
| System | What We Saw in Scarborough Quotes | Why Insurers Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical wiring | About 98% had copper wiring, 1% had mixed wiring, and 1% had aluminum wiring. | Depending on the insurer, aluminum wiring, mixed wiring, or other legacy wiring can prompt requests for additional information or a home inspection. |
| Electrical panel | Fuse panels account for 2%, while circuit-breaker panels account for about 98%. | Fuse panels and/or older electrical items may limit insurance company choices and/or require an inspection. |
| Electrical service | About 20% had 200-amp electrical service, while the other 80% had 100-amp service. | Insurers will also want to ensure there is sufficient capacity to service the home and appliances. |
| Plumbing | PEX, copper/ABS, and PVC represent a minority of the sample. Copper/PVC represents about 13%, while copper represents about 80%. | Older or mixed-materials plumbing can be more likely to leak, so insurers will consider the condition, material, and age of your pipes. |
Read More: Why Roof Condition Matters When Insuring a Home in Scarborough
Which Local Risks Matter for Homeowners in Scarborough?
Here are several risks that Scarborough homeowners should be aware of:
Read More: What Scarborough Homeowners Should Check in Their Theft Coverage
Relative Home Insurance Risk Indicators in Scarborough
Scarborough has a Medium flood indicator notable given its ravines, bluffs, and aging drainage infrastructure, Medium tornado claims, Medium-High snowstorm claims, and Low-Medium claims for crime.
Properties should be assessed for potential for water to enter homes via the ground or sewers. Coverage for water should not be reduced to save on the premium. Properties located close to ravines or the Bluffs should check whether there are erosion or slope exclusions.
These hazard labels are qualitative in nature and are indicative of risk based on historical data; they are not property-specific predictions nor indicators of the frequency of claims.
- Flood risk indicator: Medium
- Crime risk indicator: Low-Medium
- Wildfire risk indicator: Low
- Tornado risk indicator: Medium
- Hurricane risk indicator: Low
- Snowstorm risk indicator: Medium-High
Which Extra Home Protections Matter in Scarborough?
Water alarms, sump backup, and automatic shut-off may be useful for properties near ravines or with finished basements. In other locations, security measures may be more relevant.
Make sure each device suits the property and confirm it with the insurer.
| Protection | Share of Quotes | Why It May Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic water shut-off | 3.5% | Can detect unusual water flow and stop the supply before a leak becomes worse. |
| Smoke detectors | 92.9% | Early detection of smoke or fire may enable people to react in a timely manner. |
| Deadbolt locks | 50.2% | Reinforces common entryways and may reduce vulnerability to forced entry. |
| Backwater valve | 2% | It can help to protect against wastewater/sewage backing up into your home. |
Read More: When Monitored Security May Benefit Homes in Scarborough
