Home Insurance Quote Checklist for Canada
A home quote depends on the building and how it is occupied, not only its street address or market price. Compare reconstruction basis, dwelling and contents protection, liability, deductibles and optional hazards using the same property details.
Home Quote Checklist
Prepare the address, occupancy, construction and renovation details, roof and building-system ages, heating, protection devices, claims history and mortgage interest. Compare the same reconstruction basis, contents, liability, deductibles and water or catastrophe endorsements.
Home quote comparison checklist
0 of 5 items reviewed
Tick each item after reviewing it. Checks are kept for this page visit; download a copy to keep your progress and questions.
| Review item | What to check and ask |
|---|---|
| Match construction, floor area, roof, heating, plumbing, electrical and renovation details.Ask: Are any property details estimated or awaiting confirmation? | |
| Record who lives there and any rental, seasonal, vacancy, renovation or business use.Ask: Does the offer reflect how the property is actually used? | |
| Compare the dwelling amount and settlement basis used in each offer.Ask: How was the reconstruction amount established? | |
| List the named water or catastrophe options, with each limit and deductible.Ask: Which causes are included, optional or excluded? | |
| Match contents, valuables, living expenses, liability and mortgage interests.Ask: Which special limits or proof requirements should I review? |
Describe the property rather than its sale price
Prepare year built, construction type, square footage, number of storeys, roof type and age, electrical, plumbing and heating details, finished basement, detached structures and material renovations.
Insurance reconstruction cost is not the same as real-estate market value or the mortgage balance. Ask how the proposed dwelling amount and replacement-cost basis were established.
Disclose occupancy and use
Identify whether the property is owner occupied, rented, seasonal, vacant, under renovation or used for short-term rental or home business activity. List the people normally living there as the insurer requests.
IBC notes that coverage should suit the actual home and contents. A quote based on the wrong occupancy can be cheaper for the wrong reason.
Separate water and catastrophe options
Ask separately about sudden plumbing escape, sewer backup, overland flood, groundwater or seepage wording, service lines, earthquake and other location-relevant hazards. Record limits and deductibles for each option.
A generic “water damage included” statement does not show which water pathways are insured. Compare endorsement names and definitions, not only check marks.
Match contents, liability and settlement terms
Compare personal-property limits, valuable-item sublimits, Additional Living Expenses, personal liability, deductibles and replacement-cost or actual-cash-value wording. Identify mortgage interests and required proof of insurance.
List alarms, backwater valves, sump protection, leak detection and updated systems accurately; ask whether a stated discount is included in the quoted annual total.
Use your own numbers
Compare an existing property or contents limit with your own documented replacement estimate.
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