Getting the best home insurance in Quebec is not just about finding a good insurance provider. It is also very important to choose the right home insurance coverage for your needs.
Home insurance policies come in different forms – basic, broad, and all-risk coverage. The type of coverage you choose will determine the price of your premium and the compensation you will get in case of damage.
You can save on premiums if you choose only basic coverage or if you underinsure your property. But if something bad happens, you will not get enough compensation to rebuild. That is a huge risk to take!
To help you understand your options, below is a brief overview of the types of home insurance.
Basic or Standard Coverage
This is the cheapest type of coverage if you are comfortable with taking risks. It only covers fire, burglary, or theft, among other risks.
You can only get compensation for risks that are indicated in your policy. Hence, some insurers call it a named-perils policy.
Broad Coverage
This type of policy costs a little more than a basic policy and covers a few more perils.
It protects your home from the same risks as in a standard policy but it gives homeowners more flexibility without a big price tag. This means you get more extensive protection at a lower price than a comprehensive policy.
One of the reasons it is much cheaper than comprehensive coverage is that while you get more extensive protection for the home, your contents have more limited coverage.
Some perils that are not likely to be covered by broad home insurance include:
- Overland water damage
- Damage due to terrorism, earthquake, and other natural disasters
- Sewer back-up
- Etc.
Please note that these risks are also not covered by standard home insurance. Named perils may vary from one insurer to the next.
In most cases, insurers do not include the above risks in both the broad or comprehensive policies because they are not common in Canada.
You can always speak to your home insurance provider if you wish to add extra protection to your policy.
Comprehensive home insurance
This is the widest and most expensive type of home insurance but it is ideal for homeowners who want well-rounded and reliable protection.
It protects your home and its contents from a longer list of perils including: