Homeowners Beware: Common Infestation and Animal Damage Exclusions
November 20, 2025
wildlife is a pleasure to experience — but not inside your home. Animals can move into your attic, walls, chimney or other nooks and crannies. Dealing with their waste, unpleasant smells and damage is frustrating (and potentially expensive).
Most homeowners insurance expressly excludes damage from: Birds Rodents Insects
Even if your problem doesn’t fit into one of...
Check Your Homeowners Insurance Before You Become a Home-Sharing Host
November 10, 2025
Are you offering your home on a home-sharing service? Most home-sharing and host services make renting out your house easy. They even offer $1 million in insurance coverage as part of their service. Like most people, you might ask yourself why you’d need more than $1 million in insurance.
It’s not the coverage amount as much...
Solitude Sheds and Other Structures: Does Your Homeowners Policy Cover Them?
September 5, 2025
If you’ve decided to build a solitude shed, let your insurance broker know. Sure, it might seem counterintuitive to tell others about your secret hideout. But the last thing you need is to spend your cash on a zen escape only to discover it’s not covered.
Insuring your outdoor structures, including solitude sheds
Most homeowners policies cover...
Clean Gutters Can Prevent Costly Home Damage
September 5, 2025
Gutters can be easy to overlook. But they can get clogged with decaying leaves and other organic matter, leading to damage and expensive repairs that your home insurance won’t cover.
Inspecting and cleaning your home’s gutters is crucial
Here are some top reasons gutter maintenance is a big deal for your home and budget.
Prevents roof, siding and...
When To File (or Not File) a Homeowners Claim
August 14, 2025
Home insurance premiums have been increasing, and obtaining coverage can be challenging in what's known as a "hard market."
When extreme weather and catastrophic events put demands on the insurance industry, this reflects in premiums and renewals. Insurance companies take on less risk and increase their rates to keep pace with rising claims, litigation and higher...
The Dangers of Lawn Chemicals
April 18, 2025
Many homeowners use chemicals that feed grass and kill weeds and bugs. These chemicals are specifically designed to be lethal, so you need to take safety measures to protect yourself, your family, your pets and your neighbors whenever you're treating your lawn or garden.
When used correctly, lawn chemicals do not pose any serious harm. Knowing...
Risk of Smart Devices in Your Home
January 30, 2025
Smart devices, from voice-activated assistants to smart bulbs and thermostats, are becoming more and more prevalent in our homes. While these devices offer convenience and more control over your home, they can leave you at risk for privacy and security issues.
Before you invest in the latest smart oven or dishwasher, learn how the connectivity of...
8 Important Safety Tips When Using a Wood Burning Stove
December 18, 2024
Did You Know?
The largest source of fire in Canadian homes comes from fuel burning appliances. The main causes of fire include: inadequate clearance between the wood burner and walls, floors and furniture; creosote buildup in the chimney; poorly or improperly installed chimneys and improper installation of the wood burner itself.
Wood Burning Stove Safety
Use these tips...
7 Ways to Help Prevent Ice Dams
November 5, 2024
Did You Know?
Ice dams are caused when melted snow re-freezes after uneven heat loss from your home. This causes the roof to warm above freezing temperature, allowing snow to melt and then re-freeze before it reaches the roof’s edge. If this cycle repeats consistently, an ice dam forms and water collects behind it. Above all, ice...
