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Planning to host a holiday party this year? A big responsibility, sure, but one that comes with so many pay-offs. Just make sure you’re taking cautionary measures when hosting to keep your guests safe and ensure everyone enjoys themselves. 

Insurance can play a significant role in keeping us safe when we choose to host holiday gatherings—or even just plan to celebrate the holidays at all. Here’s Mitch’s top insurance tips for the holiday season. 

Insurance is a great back-up plan for if things go wrong, plus it can give you the peace-of-mind you may need to go about your hosting duties without worry of an expensive lawsuit. All the same, nothing beats preventative measures to help mitigate or even avoid potential mishaps before your event starts. 

As the homeowner you’re responsible for the safety of your guests. You could be sued for damages, injuries, or property loss if something happens on the premises. If you’re serving alcohol at your event, that only heightens the risk of something going wrong.  

So, before you host a holiday party, make sure to do the following: 

Fire safety is important for everyone, especially during the holiday season. Home insurance may cover accidental fires, but it’s better to avoid a mishap altogether than have to risk anyone’s safety. 

The Government of Canada has its own list of health and safety risks associated with candles. Around the holidays, we often light more candles than usual—if not for celebrating, than sometimes simply because it’s darker at this time of year. This only multiplies the existing risk of human error causing candle fires. 

So, what to do? Well, here’s our top tips: 

The Government of Canada also notes that between 1999 and 2008, candles were responsible for roughly 800 fires each year. This resulted in a yearly average of eight fire deaths, 115 fire injuries, and over $26 million in property damage. 

Candle fires are almost always caused by human error, and Health Canada has reported that candles with multiple wicks can increase the risk of fire. This is because, when all the wicks are lit, it produces an extremely intense heat which is likelier to ignite nearby materials. Candles with added decorations of ribbons, paper, or that have outer layers of non-wax can also be dangerous. 

You are legally responsible if anything goes awry because of serving liquor at your event. While hosting an event at your home is much different than a large, commercial establishment, you could still face a liability claim if you overserved a guest only to have them drive and get into an accident. 

Mindfulness around liquor is key here. Yes, once again your insurance may help cover you if you’re responsible for guests who overdrink at an event you’re hosting, but it’s better not to get into those kinds of situations to start. They can have serious consequences. 

We recommend the following: 

Everyone wants to have fun, and sometimes alcohol is part of that equation – especially during holiday parties. At the same time, when a lot of people get together and alcohol is in the mix, sometimes things happen. It doesn’t mean you need to take alcohol out of the picture altogether, you just need to practice common sense when serving it to your guests. 

One critical component of any home or tenant insurance policy is third-party liability. This protects you, the homeowner, as well as members of your household if you or they are ever held responsible for someone else’s injuries, their property beginning damaged, the destruction of belongings, etc. 

An example of this would be a guest attending your home for a holiday party who winds up having an allergic reaction to the casserole you served. They might sue you for their medical bills, time off work due to their illness, etc. – which would be covered by your insurance. 

While it’s always better to avoid these things in the first place, your insurance is there to help you if all else fails.  

Have any questions about home insurance, hosting duties and liability, or something else? Give us a call at Mitch Insurance and our brokers would be happy to help. And of course, happy holidays! 

Do you have a second property or home you’re thinking of leveraging to make some extra money? Vacation rental services, such as Airbnb or Vrbo, are great opportunities to do just that. Hosting is popular for good reason, but  with it comes the risk of damage to your property.  

Here’s what you need to know before you rent your home on a vacation rental service. 

Not all properties meet “rental” criteria. For example, rented apartments or condos will generally require the permission of the landlord or condo board before you can list your space on a home sharing or vacation rental service. Many leases or condo agreements will have clauses stating penalties for sub-leasing, so it’s important to be aware of these before listing your property. 

Short-term renting or “sub-leasing” is also not allowed in certain provinces in Canada. For example, B.C.’s government has introduced rules to limit short-term rental activities. Residents will only be able to rent out a single primary residence plus an additional secondary suite as their “short-term rental.”  

Allowing strangers into your residence, whether that’s a home you’re currently occupying or own but don’t live in, presents an uncertain level of risk that not all insurance companies are willing to take on. Make sure to seek insurance advice from your broker before listing your property on any home sharing services.  

Some insurers (with prior notice) will permit short-term rentals, whereas other companies will not. Note that even those that do may have certain conditions or time restrictions. Here’s a breakdown: 

Worth noting: Regardless of the provider, in Ontario insurance companies generally will not permit you to sublet a property. If a subletter should cause damages, it’s unlikely those damages will be covered.

There’s a lot of horror stories out there when it comes to vacation rental services, although Airbnb specifically has certain safety checks in place, such as having guests scan their government-issued ID and a two-way review process where guests can review hosts and vice versa.  

In the end, it’s the host’s decision on who they rent to. We recommend creating your own house rules to ensure guests are aware of the expectations, such as not permitting smoking, parties, quiet times after dark to be mindful of neighbours, etc. While you can’t know 100% which guests will be great and which won’t be, it’s good to be proactive to minimize your risk. Keep in mind any restrictions around stay-length that your insurer may have as well.  

A good way to ensure a positive experience all-around is to do some research on what the local vacation rental prices are like and what kind of amenities or offerings are appealing to guests. Fresh towels, hygiene products, etc., can go a long way to improve a guest’s experience, and they’re inexpensive. Plus, with an idea of what others are charging for their short-term rentals, you can ensure you’re not overpricing or underpricing your rental endeavour. 

Being a good host isn’t as simple as having a property and listing it on your platform of choosing. You’ll also be expected to interact with the guest and respond to all queries regarding booking within the first 24 hours. Guests and hosts are generally expected to have a continuous communication even during a booking, so it’s ideal that you’re able to keep up with this. 

Have any questions about renting out your home on a vacation rental platform or homesharing service, like Airbnb? Mitch’s home insurance brokers are here for you. While not all insurance companies offer coverage for short-term rentals, we’re happy to help you find coverage that works for you – and at a great price. Enjoy hosting (plus that supplemental income!) and peace-of-mind all in one.  

Around 20% of households in Canada have a dog, with roughly 7.9 million pet dogs residing in the country. That’s a lot of Fidos. 

Most pet dogs will get into the odd trouble here and there, like digging in the garbage or chewing up your favourite pair of shoes. But dog bites? Many of us could never imagine our beloved family pet hurting someone else, but over 500,000 dog bites occur each year in Canada. When you’re buying insurance, your provider may request to know the breed of your furry friend because certain breeds can be a higher risk of bite-related lawsuits than others. Let’s explore that a little more in-depth.

Both tenant and home insurance providers have a vested interest in your pet—namely, your dog. (You could have a really mean cat, but cats don’t generally bring about lawsuits!) 

Specific dog breeds may have higher risk factors, regardless of how well behaved or friendly your pet is. Insurance companies use statistic-based data to analyze the likelihood of certain dog breeds being involved in bite claims. A dog that poses a higher risk, also called a “banned breed,” may mean your insurance rates will be higher to reflect that risk or you could be denied coverage altogether. In other instances, claims related to that animal simply won’t be covered. 

Again, it’s not about how friendly your individual dog is. Insurance companies rely on data from past claims, so if they’ve seen a larger number of bite cases from one breed, that breed may be considered “banned,” cost more to insure, or be omitted from coverage. 

Here are some of the dog breeds that tend to face restrictions from insurers: 

This might be one of the more obvious ones, especially given their history of being controversial. Pit bulls, or technically any dog with the “bully breed” label (Staffordshire terrier, American Pit Bull terrier, American bulldog, Bullmastiff are associated with a higher risk of incidents, and their build makes them likelier to cause greater harm when things go wrong. Pit bulls often get a bad name, and obviously not every pit bull is a bite risk but given their reputation insurance companies may consider your family’s Pit bull or bully breed a “banned” dog. 

Often a movie villain classic, anyone who’s owned a Doberman pinscher knows what good companions these dogs can be. Unfortunately, bite statistics don’t weigh in their favour and their size and build doesn’t exactly help their case. Many insurance companies consider Dobermans a banned breed.  

Rottweilers were bred as working dogs, both to herd livestock and pull carts full of game. Their large size and media portrayal as dangerous and aggressive may have contributed to their bad image, but bite statistics are also a consideration. Some insurance companies ban these dogs.  

Wolfdogs, or wolf hybrids, top the list when it comes to banned breeds; most insurance companies won’t offer liability coverage to dogs with wolf lineage, will rate that household higher, or won’t insure that renter or homeowner altogether.  

Huge in stature and often employed as guard dogs, the Cane Corso is banned by many insurance companies due to their guard dog instinct to protect and defend. 

Although the breeds listed above are the most popular, they’re not the only dogs that insurance companies may ban or adjust rates for. Others include: 

Less than half (40%) of Canadians who own dogs have pure-bred dogs, meaning that some 60% of pet dogs are mixed breed. So how do insurance companies react to dogs that are mixed breed? 

Some dogs are so mixed you can’t reliably tell what breed(s) they are. DNA tests claim to be 90% or higher in accuracy, but a lot of veterinarians and dog genetic experts disagree with this. Technically, a DNA test could say your mixed breed dog is 80% German Shepherd, but the reality could be very different. How can an insurer then decide if a dog belongs to a “banned” breed?  

As the policyholder, you’re required to be upfront about the information you provide your insurance company. If your dog is a mixed breed containing German Shepherd, Pit bull, or some other DNA, you are required to inform your insurance company of this. Mixed breeds can be any percentage of different breeds, ranging from 99% Chihuahua and 1% pit bull to 16 different mixes. Regardless, it’s up to the individual insurance company how they’ll weigh mixed breeds; a dog that’s 80% Shih Tzu, 10% Chihuahua, and 10% Pit bull probably won’t impact your insurance, but again—it depends. 

While we all love our furry friends, claims data may cause an insurance company to be a little more wary. 

Give us a call if you’re concerned about the impact your dog may have on your policy, have questions about your insurance, or want some extra help finding the right coverage for your needs.  

This year is Canada’s costliest on record for weather disasters. With properties damaged and destroyed, many people have been left to pick up the pieces. Luckily, insurance is there for us during times of need. 

Included in your home insurance, contents insurance, protects your personal belongings in case of a disaster. The catastrophic weather events of 2024 have caused many homeowners to file claims for damaged or destroyed furniture, appliances, and other possessions. However, not enough policyholders realize that having a home inventory before making a claim can not only speed up the settlement process but may also be crucial to securing your payout. Here’s our tips for creating a home inventory list. 

A home inventory is a detailed list of all your belongings. For insurance, it helps to speed up the claims process after your property has been stolen, damaged or destroyed because you have an easy way to show that you owned the items, what their condition was before the incident, and in some cases you can even prove their value. Your inventory list should include all your possessions, plus photos/videos and any receipts or warranties that might support proof of ownership. 

It can be challenging to remember all of the items you owned after a disaster like a fire. Having a list prepared in advance so you can simply check off what’s missing or damaged is a lot easier.  

Creating a home inventory is fairly straightforward, but if you own a larger property with a lot of belongings then you might want to set aside a few hours on the weekend to do it. Combing through all your earthly possessions, photographing them, and finding proof of purchase isn’t really something you can do on a 15-minute break. 

Luckily, there’s tons of tools nowadays that exist to help simplify the process. Check out the following digital apps for support when making your inventory: 

Once you’re ready to begin and have set aside the time to start your inventory, follow these tips: 

Depending on the size of your home, the task of doing an inventory can feel overwhelming, to say the least. Start with a walkthrough. This will help you decide where to begin. You might want to tackle the kitchen first, since this is usually where you’ll have a lot of appliances. Once you’ve captured all the belongings in one room, you can move to the next. 

When creating your inventory, make sure to do more than just list item names. Provide measurements of appliances, where they were originally purchased, the make/model (if applicable), and what you paid for the item. It’s best to have receipts or warranties for this step, but you may also have to make do with what you have on-hand.  

Make sure to also include all items kept in your basement, attic, garages, or any detached structures you have. If you keep any items in self-storage, you should list them as well as they will be covered under your home or tenant insurance policy.  

Use your cell phone to take photos and videos as you do your walkthrough. If you record videos, make sure to describe the contents, including purchase date and brands. The apps mentioned earlier in this guide can also help to create a more in-depth list.  

A professional appraiser’s job is to assess the value of your belongings (and home). This can help you create a more in-depth inventory list and ensure you’ve left nothing out. You can include the appraiser’s notes in any future claims to show proof of ownership and the value of the items. 

Something to keep in mind for whenever you make a big purchase is to always keep the receipts, warranties, instruction manuals—anything that can serve as proof of purchase when needed.  

Not only will these help with your inventory, but it can also be handy when drawing up a budget or if you ever want to sell any of your belongings through Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, etc. 

Some insurance providers have content inventory aids or checklists you can use to go through your belongings.  

When filing a claim, make sure to complete and submit these aids or templates. If your insurer doesn’t offer these resources, you can submit your own homemade inventory list. Some insurance companies will also allow you to make adjustments or additions to your inventory after submission. 

Inventories may also be submitted when applying for a policy, as they can help you (and your provider) to gain a clearer idea of how much coverage you need to protect all your belongings. 

Although an inventory isn’t always necessary when filing a claim or applying for a policy, it’s one of the best ways to ensure your swift and fair settlement and to secure enough coverage for your needs. Talk with a broker if you have more questions about home inventories or need help on starting yours! 

2024 is the highest year for weather disaster costs that’s ever been recorded in Canada, with four major weather events occurring in the short span of one month. A record-breaking 228,000 claims resulted from these events. Compare this to last year, where there were 160,000 claims for the entire year.

The tropical storm Debby recently passed by areas of Quebec, including Montreal, and cost over $2.5 billion in insured damages. This is miraculously even less than Calgary’s recent summer hailstorm, tallying over $2.8 billion in damages. Weather is becoming more extreme in Canada with each year that passes. What does it mean for your insurance? 

Before we sink our teeth into the impact of weather on insurance, let’s look at the rising costs of extreme weather. Although there is an upward trend in the severity of weather, there’s more to it than simply worsening conditions. There are several factors at play. 

First and foremost is the rising cost of construction materials and labour, which makes properties more expensive to repair when there’s damage. Inflation also plays a role, with houses from decades ago that once had a market value of $200,000 now being worth well over $800,000. The same damages that might have occurred when the house was first purchased would be much more expensive in present day, even if the incident wasn’t necessarily more severe. Aging infrastructure is also a major contributor. Cities with older sewer systems and buildings may be more prone to damage than newer construction, leading to higher costs. And finally, there’s the weather itself, which is becoming more extreme. From extreme heat to an increase in burned areas in Canada due to wildfire, our weather’s only getting worse. 

“The trend is going to continue,” says Mitch Insurance CEO, Adam Mitchell. “What was once described as a 100-year storm is clearly not the case anymore. Toronto, for example, has had three 100-year storms in just the last 11 years.”  

As weather events become both more frequent and severe, the more damage output there will be. Coupled with these other factors, we could be looking at a potentially sharp increase in costs in the coming 20, 10, or even 5 years.  

Extreme weather affects everyone—not just the people whose homes and cars were actually damaged.

The premiums everyone pays their insurance provider goes into a pool of funds. While some of these funds are used for operational expenses and profit, most are reserved for paying future claims. It’s part of the deal. You pay your premiums and your insurance company pays for any covered claims. Providers need to ensure that their pool of funds is big enough to be able to pay claims for all their clients. When the cost of claims rises, the pool must get larger as well. To manage this, insurers spread the risk around by increasing rates across the board. In fact, there’s a common saying in the insurance world which really summarizes the whole situation: “The premiums of the many are meant to pay the losses of the few.”

If your insurance company or geographical area is getting particularly hit hard by severe weather, then that impact on premiums will likely be greater.

Not all insurance companies are impacted the same way by severe weather, and so rate increases among different insurers could vary. Someone you know could see a 15% increase, where you might only see an increase of 5%. It really depends. 

In 2023, Mitch saw an average rate for home insurance prices for its new clients between June-August sit at $1,660. For existing clients renewing policies, that average was less at $1,581.

The same month range (June-August) in 2024 has proven much different. For new clients, the average rate was $2,159, and for existing clients renewing policies that average sat at around $1,711. That’s a pretty tremendous increase from the previous year!

If you’re someone whose seen significant rates increases in recent years, or even in the last couple of months, it might be worth looking for a better deal. Finding the best home or the best car insurance company in Ontario for your needs can be tough without the help of a broker, though, so we do recommend working with a member of our team to help you find the lowest possible price.

You can be impacted by Canada’s extreme weather in several ways, but we’re going to focus on two for sake of brevity: if your property has been damaged in a weather event and if your rates have increased because of damages felt country wide.   

If your home or vehicle has been damaged by hail, wildfire, high winds, flooding, etc., odds are that your insurance policies will cover you. Auto insurance can be a tad trickier as most weather damages to vehicles will fall under optional comprehensive coverage. So it’ll only be covered if you’ve elected to purchase that coverage. 

It can be difficult to file a claim following a mass weather event because thousands of other homeowners and drivers will be doing the same. We advise trying to get your claims submitted as soon as possible to expedite the process. Document everything: take photos, videos, and make sure you send this to your insurance provider as evidence when filing your claim. This is a requirement of your insurer to do so, and failing to do so may complicate or even invalidate your claim.

Even if you haven’t needed to make a claim throughout all this extreme weather we’ve been having, your rates still may have increased. It can feel frustrating to see your rates rise, especially when you’ve done nothing wrong.  

The best way to manage increasing premiums? Make sure you’re shopping the entire marketplace and looking at all available options to find the best coverage and price. “With no change coming to these storms in the near future, it’s important to regularly review your policies with a professional broker,” says Mitchell.  

“Some coverages like overland water have changed in the past several years and you may not have the right coverage in place to make sure you’re properly protected.”  

Mitch Insurance understands this is a difficult time for many, but we’re here to help. Give us a call if you need assistance finding the coverage suited to your needs, review your policy regularly, and help you shop the market for a better deal if your rates have already risen.

Own a heritage home? Heritage homes come in all shapes, forms, sizes, designs, etc. Did you know older homes may require specialized insurance because they’re considered higher risk than a standard, modern home? 

Home prices in Canada are projected to go down in 2024 and 2025, so, if you’re looking to buy a property in the next short while—especially a heritage one—read this guide on how to insure a heritage home. 

Each province has its own definition of what a heritage home is. In Ontario, it’s the Ontario Heritage Act  that gives municipalities the ability to designate a property as being of provincial significance – i.e, worthy of a heritage label.  

When buying a home or looking at a listed property to determine if it’s a heritage property, you’ll want to ask a real estate lawyer or the salesperson to check with the local municipal register. There should be a list of properties within the area that are deemed as having cultural value.  

Buying a heritage home is like acquiring a piece of provincial history. However, keep in mind that as heritage homes tend to be older, they may not meet modern safety and building standards. You’ll likely need to confirm that all the home’s systems are in good working order and have its structural integrity assessed.  

Generally, yes. Since older homes tend to have higher repair and maintenance costs, insurers will generally rate them higher. There’s also the safety perspective to be considered; older homes may have outdated systems (plumbing, electrical, heating, and so on) which could pose a higher chance of causing damages due to an unexpected malfunction.

Heritage homes also may need specific materials when being repaired, which can be more expensive and aren’t as easy to find. There may also be parameters that are required to be met in order to keep the integrity of the home’s “look.” This can increase the time period it takes to do repairs. 

And since owning a heritage home requires a certain level of diligence and careful maintenance, it takes a special type of homeowner to live there. The house may also need non-standard materials and special expertise if repairs are required, which costs more, so this will be reflected in the insurance rates paid to cover a heritage home.  

Heritage homes can be complex to insure and may not always qualify for standard home insurance. . Every insurer handles heritage homes differently, and some may even refuse to insure them altogether. As a result, some heritage homes may require high-risk home insurance.In certain cases, insurers will send out agents or professional appraisers to do an inspection of your heritage home—which is a step sometimes also required for standard home insurance, except for homes with older roofs.  This inspection will help determine if a policy can be issued and, if so, what your premiums will be. 

It’s wise to work with a broker when looking for insurance for a heritage home. They can help you shop around and compare options to find the right coverage at the best price. A broker can also recommend ways you can minimize risks and potentially lower your premiums, such as updating electrical wiring, plumbing, and heating to improve the home’s safety.   

While we do recommend updates and renovations to keep premiums down—especially updating older home systems—in some cases you’ll have restrictions on what or how you can renovate. In Ontario, you’ll have to give your municipality 60 days’ written notice before renovating your property. In some cases, you’ll even require written municipal consent to make changes and you could encounter resistance if your renovations will affect the home’s heritage attributes.  

Insurance can be confusing, and it can be even more complicated when insuring a heritage home. Not every insurance company will cover a heritage home, and you could end up in a specialty market. You may also need to take some extra steps to protect your home and investment, such as doing renovations, documenting certain features, and more. 

Here are some tips to keep in mind when insuring a heritage home: 

Many of Mitch’s brokers are trained in insuring heritage homes, so they’ll be able to recommend coverage options for you, offer advice, and help you find the right policy for the best price. 

Give us a call and request a free, no-obligation home insurance quote today! 

Halloween, for many children, is a delightful evening full of spooks and treats—but for homeowners, the holiday can be truly frightening given the potential liabilities that come with dozens,  or even hundreds, of visitors stopping by in one night.

Almost 50% of Canadian households participated in Halloween in 2023, and this year will likely be just as busy. As a homeowner, it’s good to be prepared.

Your home insurance will protect you from most mishaps on Halloween night, so don’t worry. Vandalism, trips and falls, eggs smashed on your roof—it’s there for you irrespective of the time of year, and insurance doesn’t take holidays off.  

Insurance is designed for things unexpected and accidental, which generally most incidents that happen during the holidays fall under the definition of. If you’re at all concerned about the number (or nature) of visitors coming to your home, you might want to call up your broker the few weeks before Halloween to discuss your coverage and go over any potential gaps. 

Here are some examples of claims that could be covered by your property (or car) insurance on Halloween: 

Halloween costumes may be fun and even frightening, but they’re not always the most practical for walking around. 

Plus, it might be dark and there might be plenty of obstacles in your driveway and around your home (cords, decorations, signage, etc.) to trip on. If a child or parent injures themselves while walking up to your door to trick-or-treat, they may sue you for your negligence in adequately preparing your property. Luckily, your home or tenant insurance contains liability coverage that would help pay the cost of their medical bills or any legal case that may arise. 

While not necessarily always on Halloween night, Mitch has seen its fair share of slip and fall claims due to wooden porches becoming slippery or wet with frost and snow. Just because your driveway, walkway and porch are clear, doesn’t mean they’re not a hazard. Make sure everything is well lit and, if you’re aware something may be slippery, leave signage to warn visitors.  

While “egging” (the act of throwing raw eggs at someone’s house) might seem pretty harmless, it can damage paint, shingles, and even break windows. Vandalism and theft are both covered events in most home or tenant insurance policies, so you can generally depend on your insurance to pay for any needed repairs if your home is damaged after being egged. Note, however, that any payout is subject to your deductible, so you’ll have to pay that amount first before your provider covers the remainder. 

Some acts of vandalism or break-ins require you to provide a copy of the police report to your insurer for your claim to be considered. This isn’t always the case, but it’s a good idea to ask for a copy when you report the incident.  

Whether your home is lit up or not, thieves will sometimes use Halloween as a prime opportunity to break in and steal valuables. Your home insurance will cover theft, but it also helps to keep receipts for all your most valued belongings (other proof of purchase works too, like warranties or manuals) to show to your provider if they’re stolen.  

At Mitch, we’ve seen garages are a common target, especially on a night like Halloween if no one is home. Garages are much easier to break into than homes and are darker, so people seldom see thieves coming and going. If you’re not going to be home on Halloween, make sure to lock up, consider motion sensor lights or cameras, and keep your valuables indoors and secured. 

While no incident is 100% preventable, taking action in advance can help to reduce your risk of things going wrong. Here are some of our tips for preparing for trick-or-treaters on Halloween night: 

Not wanting to partake in the festivities? Turn off your lights and avoid the decor. Most of the time, this will signal to trick-or-treaters that you’re not participating in Halloween. This obviously won’t stop vandals and may even be more enticing to potential thieves who view your unlit home as unoccupied, so turn on security alarms and be vigilant. You may wish to invest in motion-sensor alarms as well. 

Cars are a frequent target of vandalism on Halloween, so make sure to park your vehicle in a garage if possible. If you can’t, consider investing in some outdoor lighting for your yard and driveway. Remember to lock your car as well.  

If you are participating in Halloween, make sure to keep your walkways and driveway well-lit. Dark and spooky might set the mood, but it’s also a quick way to send a trick-or-treater to the ER with a sprained ankle. Make use of lawn lights, porch lights, and turn on all your motion sensor lights (if you have them) to ensure kids and parents have a clear view of where they’re walking.  

Also, keep your walkways clear. Decorations are great, but make sure they’re not in the footpath of your visitors and that any cords are covered and clearly marked so as not to serve as a tripping hazard. 

Check the packaging of your treats to see if they’re allergy-friendly. Most brands that are manufactured in facilities without peanuts and tree nuts will have a label saying as much. Allergy-conscious parents will appreciate it!

About 500,000 dog bites occur every year in Canada. It doesn’t matter how friendly Fido is, all dogs can bite. With all the noises, costumes, and strangers coming up to the house, Halloween can be an especially difficult time for pet dogs. For their safety and for the safety of others, it’s a good idea to put your pets away in a secure room (or crate, if they’re crate-trained) with their bed, treats, and some calming music to drown out the background noise. Some vets will even prescribe anti-anxiety medications for holidays that can be particularly stressful for sensitive pets.   

Mitch has seen its fair share of mishaps. If you’re concerned about the extent of your coverage come Halloween, we’ve got your back. Give us a call to discuss your policy and to see what is and isn’t covered. And—happy Halloween!  

Splitting expenses is common nowadays, whether it’s to share an Uber, a delivery, or housing. Many people live with roommates to bring down the cost of rent, especially with the rent for the average two-bedroom costing $2,000+. But is insurance something you can split when you have a roommate?  

Bottom line: yes, you can share tenant insurance with your roommates, but let’s explore why that might not always be the best choice. 

Tenant insurance covers everything that home insurance does except the physical property itself. You can break down tenant insurance into its three separate categories: contents insurance, third-party liability insurance, and additional living expenses.  

Contents insurance covers a person’s possessions, including all appliances not original to the unit, furniture, clothing, electronics, sports equipment, and so on. It provides coverage up to a specific dollar limit and certain items (jewelry, watches, computer software, etc.) may have special limits.  

Third-party liability insurance, or personal liability insurance, covers you for legal action taken against you because of accident taking place both inside of your home and while out and about (even on vacation!) that result in injury to others or damages to another person’s property. Having to pay for someone’s medical bills after you’ve overserved alcohol to a guest is a prime example of this. 

Additional living expenses coverage is designed for reimbursing tenants for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of an insured loss forcing them to leave their home. This covers any costs beyond what would be considered typical for the period in which you have to live elsewhere.  

To enjoy a clean insurance history in the event of a loss (and not having to split your policy’s limits between you and your roommates) yes, each roommate should have their own insurance. Because tenant insurance isn’t mandatory, no roommate technically requires it, but it’s very common to have landlords ask that their tenants acquire their own insurance policies and to make it a condition of the rental agreement. Insurance is recommended either way, since the landlord’s policy won’t cover a tenant’s belongings and the tenant wouldn’t have liability or additional living expenses coverage without purchasing their own policy, first.  

Sharing tenant insurance with a roommate or roommates can save you money, since you’d be splitting the cost with multiple people. However, as far as insurance policies go, tenant insurance tends to be rather cheap – usually averaging between $20-$40/month.  

If that roommate is trustworthy and continues to make payments, avoids making claims for small issues, and is with you long term, it can be a good idea. Plus, if your landlord requires you to carry insurance, this is an effective way to ensure that you’re both covered and meeting your lease obligations.  

While there are some benefits to sharing tenant insurance with a roommate or roommates, there are plenty of disadvantages. For one, sharing a policy means sharing a claims history. Whenever your roommate submits a claim, that’ll show up on your record as well and can increase your premiums. This means even if you move out and get a new solo policy, your premiums will still be influenced by the claim your roommate previously filed.  

You’re also dependent on the payments that your roommate makes. If they were the one in charge of making payments and forgot, you could risk having your policy cancelled. At the same time, they could also cancel the policy at any point for whatever reason and leave you uninsured. 

Having a shared policy also means you share your coverage limits. IIf your unit is damaged by a fire, your possessions will be covered up to a certain dollar amount. What if all the belongings you and your roommates have exceed those limits? How would you decide whose things get a replaced and whose don’t? If you’re not the sole owner of the policy, you could land yourself in some hot water. 

Finally, roommates can come and go, and there’s no guarantee your current one will be around forever. How do you decide who gets the policy and who needs to apply for a new one? In certain cases, it may be easier for the roommate staying to keep the policy (to avoid having to update the address), but the roommate who initially purchased the policy may want to keep it and update the address when they move to a new place.  

Proceed with caution. While it’s possible to share a tenant insurance policy, it’s not advised. Make sure that you trust the roommate or roommates you’re sharing a policy with and that they’re not just someone you’ve met online. 

You may also want to record and document all of the possessions that both of you have. This can help ensure your contents insurance is adequate in covering both your and your roommate’s belongings. Be honest about payments and who’s responsible for what. 

You may also want to get an insurance broker into the mix. They can give you advice and recommend tips on ways to save on your premium. They can also help you bundle your policies if, say, you have an existing car insurance policy. Mitch’s insurance brokers can help walk you through getting a tenant insurance policy. Give us a call if you have questions.  

A 2023 study said only 47% of Canadian students live at their parent’s home while attending school, meaning over half will go away. When living away from home for the first time, unexpected events can occur. That’s why having insurance is essential for your child while they’re away at school. But when they move out, you might wonder: do they need their own insurance?  

If any of the following is true, then it makes the most sense to insure your child under your existing insurance policy: 

This means your child may not need their own insurance policy—tenant or otherwise—to be covered. Just like they were covered when they were living at home, they’d be covered at school, too. This is true regardless of if they’re in Ontario or attending school in another province, or even in another country.  

Some post-secondary institutions will require students to carry insurance, like if your child is living in a dorm on campus or a university residence. Getting insurance for your child is as easy as contacting your broker. In some cases, you may want to increase your contents coverage limits through a rider to ensure all belongings will be adequately covered. Usually, contents coverage will contain a sublimit for belongings away from home—between $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the policy. 

For children living away from home whose belongings are covered under their parents’ home or tenant insurance policy, it’s important to make an inventory of all their belongings. Since the onus of proof usually falls on the policyholder, having a detailed list of their property as well as physical evidence (like receipts, warranties, etc.) can speed up the claims process and ensure a swift and fair settlement. Be sure to include all electronics, clothes, appliances, textbooks, and furniture in this list, as the overall value of these can add up very quickly.  

It’s important to remember that any claims your child files under your home or tenant policy will affect your insurance. If you prefer to avoid this, you may want to consider a separate policy.

Some car insurance providers offer what’s called a “student away from home discount,” which can reduce the cost of adding a student to your policy by up to 50%. That said, the discount can vary depending on how far away your child will attend post-secondary. Be sure to ask your insurance broker if your situation qualifies you for any discounts.  

On the topic of auto insurance discounts for students, some providers also offer reduced premiums for full-time students with a certain grade average. Some auto insurance providers have found a correlation between academically successful individuals and good driving behaviour, and may reward good students with cheaper auto insurance. 

For students moving away permanently or who only go to school part-time, are financially independent, or are living off-campus, it may make more sense to have their own insurance. If your child will be living with roommates, each roommate will likely benefit from having their own policy as they may not be covered by one another’s insurance. 

In this case, students moving out permanently may want to buy their own tenant insurance. Tenant insurance includes liability coverage, additional living expenses, and content coverage. Your child’s landlord may also require them to have tenant insurance before they can sign a lease. 

When you throw a car into the mix, whether it belongs to your child or one of your own, insurance can get more complicated. What if they’re going to the US for college? Will the car be covered out-of-province? Does it make more sense for your child to have their own auto insurance policy? 

Unless your child is entirely financially independent and planning to move out permanently, insuring them under your own auto policy may still make the most sense budget-wise. If they are out-of-province or out-of-the-country, they’ll need to return home once every six months to remain covered under an Ontario auto insurance policy. Having your child’s vehicle insured under your policy can qualify you for discounted rates, allow for more simplified paperwork, and offer flexibility in who can drive what car.  

In summary: if your child is bringing a vehicle with them to school and they’re not financially independent or planning to move out permanently, you can still insure their vehicle under your existing auto policy.  

Your child should, ideally, have their own auto policy if they’re permanently moving out. Also, if your child is not bringing the car but will drive your vehicle when they’re visiting or back for the summer, they’ll still be covered under your auto policy when they return. 

Our team of brokers are happy and prepared to discuss the insurance needs for you and your child during this transitional period. If you are concerned about coverage, want to discuss adding a rider, or are confused about what kind of protection your child may need while away at school, give us a call.