Seasonal residence / Home insurance
Whether you like heading up North or you want to spend all summer on the beach, seasonal properties are a great way to get away when the weather is nice. Season properties can be anything from a small cabin to a big cottage – whatever you prefer to call a home away from home. Like any property though, you need housing insurance, even if you aren’t there year-round.
Seasonal insurance on your home works just like any other Ontario home insurance – it protects you, your belongings, the house itself, and anyone living there or visiting. If you own a seasonal property in Ontario, let us help you find the best home insurance.
What is Seasonal Residence Insurance?
If you’re already a year-round home or any other property, you’re likely familiar with a home insurance policy. Seasonal home insurance is similar and covers many of the same things. There are a few differences, though. For instance, many other factors can affect your rates that may not apply to your primary home insurance. These include:
- If the home is on an island and/or is accessible only by boat
- How far away the home is from a fire-hydrant and/or a proper firehouse
- How long the property is left unattended during the year
Extra Coverage
For most seasonal residences, there are extra coverage options if you want to add more to your insurance policy. These extras help you round out your coverage and achieve complete peace of mind.
For example, you may have personal watercraft like boats or jet skis that stay at the cottage. It’s always smart to ensure these things as well. Or, perhaps you’re interested in renting out your cottage to others when you’re not using it. This is a great way to make some extra income, but you should make sure you’re fully covered under all circumstances.
Basic Coverage
Your standard seasonal home insurance policy protects a few main areas:
- The home itself. The building and any other structures on the property are protected in the case of theft, vandalism, or damage from natural causes like fire or animals. Other structures can include things like a deck, shed, or hot tub.
- Your personal belongings. Like the building itself, coverage applies to your things, as well. This includes things like clothing, furniture, or electronics that are kept inside the home or other buildings on the property.
- Liability. Good liability coverage protects you from the financial implications should someone’s property become damaged or they become injured on your property. If they pursue legal action, liability insurance helps cover legal fees.
Most of the time, you’ll have the option to add your cottage or cabin to the home insurance policy you have on your primary residence. You can add it as a secondary residence and bundling like this often gets you reduced rates.
Enjoy a Worry-Free Summer
Having a seasonal property is fun and exciting, and shouldn’t ever come with extra stress. We can help you find the right insurance for you and your summer get-away. Once you have proper home insurance on your seasonal home, you can enjoy every single, sunny moment stress-free thanks to your seasonal insurance.
