Though home insurance isn’t legally required, St. Catherines homeowners should still consider getting a policy. Home insurance covers your home and personal possessions in case they’re destroyed or damaged by an insured risk such as a flood or a fire. A policy also covers your liability if an accident results in injuries or damage to your home.
Learn more about how St. Catherines home insurance works, what its standard inclusions are, and what add-ons you can get for more protection. Discover how your home’s location affects your quotes and what risks you should be mindful of as a St. Catherines homeowner.
How Does Home Insurance Work In St. Catharines?
When you get a home insurance quote in St. Catharines 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 | $1,198 |
| Enhanced Water Protection | – Sewer Backup Endorsement – Ground Water Endorsement – Overland Water Endorsement – Broad Water Damage Endorsement | $238 |
| Coverage Total: | $1,436 |
*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 St. Catharines, as it’s identified as one of the most flood-prone cities in Ontario in our latest study.
Home Insurance Price in St. Catharines by Dwelling Type
Below is the average home insurance price in St. Catharines, categorized by dwelling type:
| Type of Dwelling | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| Detached | $1,436 |
| Semi-Detached | $1,321 |
| Freehold Townhouse | $1,235 |
Does Where You Live in St. Catharines Affect Your Home Insurance?
Yes, where you live in St. Catharines can affect your home insurance. Home insurance companies will look at different considerations to calculate your premiums, and one of these is your neighbourhood. Here are some ways that your location can make your quotes cheaper or more expensive:
Postal Codes With the Most Expensive Home Insurance in St. Catharines
The L2R postal code region tends to have above-average home insurance rates in St. Catharines.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| L2R | $1,468 |
Postal Codes With the Least Expensive Home Insurance in St. Catharines
Whereas the L2S postal codes have some of the cheapest home insurance rates in St. Catharines.
| Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| L2S | $1,412 |
How St. Catharines Home Insurance Rates Compare to Nearby Cities
St. Catharines’ home insurance rates are relatively high within the Niagara region, above Niagara Falls, Welland, and Burlington, though still close to Oakville.
| City | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
|---|---|
| St. Catharines | $1,436 |
| Niagara Falls | $1,329 |
| Welland | $1,277 |
| Hamilton | $1,235 |
| Burlington | $1,272 |
| Oakville | $1,425 |
How St. Catharines Home Insurance Rates Compare to Provincial Average
The average cost of home insurance in St. Catharines is $1,436 annually, slightly more than the Ontario average. Note that your quotes will go up or down depending on different factors like your neighbourhood’s claims history, your home’s proximity to fire hydrants, and the area’s crime rate.
If your neighbourhood has a lower crime rate, easier access to emergency services, and well-maintained infrastructure, this can result in more affordable home insurance premiums. However, if your area is more densely populated or has increased exposure to certain perils, this can increase the average rate in your postal code.
Common Home Insurance Discounts in St. Catharines
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 St. Catharines:
| Discount Type | Average Percentage Savings | Average Discount Value |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Line (Home + Auto) | 11.4% | $164 |
| Claims-Free Discount | 16.5% | $237 |
| Alarm System (Burglar) | 7.5% | $108 |
| Alarm System (Fire) | 5.0% | $72 |
| Membership Discount (CAA) | 10.0% | $144 |
| Non-Smoker Discount | 7.5% | $108 |
What Risks Affect Homeowners in St. Catharines?
If you’re a homeowner in St. Catharines, there are specific risks that you need to be vigilant against as they’re more likely to damage or destroy your home and belongings. Here are some common perils that may affect St. Catharines residents and the type of coverage they may need:
Probability of Significant Disasters in St. Catharines
On January 28, 1977, St. Catharines endured the same multi-day blizzard that paralyzed the Niagara Peninsula, cutting off many roads and highways.
The following MyChoice probability scores for St. Catharines 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 St. Catharines 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 St. Catharines
Wondering how many St. Catharines residents own their homes instead of renting them, or the average condition of a St. Catharines home? Here’s a breakdown of housing data in St. Catharines according to the 2021 Census of Population:
Homeownership Rate by Age in St. Catharines
The homeownership rates in St. Catharines vary by age group, with younger individuals aged 15 to 24 exhibiting the lowest rate at 16.8%, gradually increasing to 72.7% for those aged 75 and over. Notably, homeownership rates rise steadily with age, peaking among older demographics, reflecting a trend of increased homeownership as individuals progress through different life stages.
| Age Group | Homeownership Rate |
|---|---|
| 15 to 24 | 16.8% |
| 25 to 39 | 48.9% |
| 40 to 54 | 65.1% |
| 55 to 74 | 72.2% |
| 75 and over | 72.7% |
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 St. Catharines. 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 St. Catharines?
Home insurance isn’t mandatory for St. Catharines homeowners, but it’s still a good idea to get a policy for your peace of mind. Natural disasters can cause unexpected damage and destruction, as can accidents in your home. These can result in big bills you may have trouble paying without a policy to cover you.
Here are some compelling reasons why you should get home insurance in St. Catharines:
How You Can Get Cheap Home Insurance in St. Catharines
If you’re trying to save money on your preferred home insurance coverage in St. Catharines, visit our Ontario page for practical tips.