Home Insurance Questions

I bought several fairly expensive gifts for my wife and kids for Christmas, and I'm wondering if I need to buy any additional insurance to cover them. What's the deal?...  More

My washing machine sprang a leak, and the water ran onto my expensive carpeting, damaging a large section in the hallway. I am told it will cost $2, 000 to repair it. However, the condominium corporation says there is a deductible of $2, 500 on the policy that it carries. That's more than the cost of the repairs! I also have a condominium unit owner's policy that has a $500 deductible. Which policy pays for what?...  More

When I went to my cottage for the first time after the winter, I noticed that one of the porch steps was rotting away. I was going to replace it, but before I had a chance, the next-door neighbour appeared. Sure enough, he started up the steps and fell through the rotting wood, injuring his leg. As I watched him hobble away, muttering under his breath about my "negligence, " I began to worry about what would happen if he sued me...  More

A racoon chewed its way into my attic and caused all kinds of damage. As if that wasn't bad enough, now my insurance company is telling me that my homeowners policy doesn't cover it. And yet my neighbour's dog chewed the legs on her furniture a few years ago, and her insurance paid for the damage. What's the difference?...  More

I live in a part of the country that could be prone to earthquake. However, I rent an apartment, so I figure the landlord's insurance will kick in if the earth moves and the building is damaged. Am I right?...  More

I live in a part of the country that is prone to earthquake. Therefore, my insurance broker advised me to buy earthquake insurance on my house. But the price is enough to shake anyone up! I'm wondering if I really need this extra coverage. Wouldn't my homeowners insurance cover me if an earthquake hit?...  More

I live in an area of Atlantic Canada that is prone to flooding during severe storms. Does my insurance policy cover me against damage from flooding? If not, what can be done to protect my home?...  More

My kids were playing floor hockey in the basement, and, in the heat of the game, they accidentally knocked my freezer plug out of the wall. I didn't know it at the time, but when I went downstairs a few days later, I got wind that something terrible had happened -- a whole freezer full of spoiled food. As if that wasn't bad enough, my broker told me my insurance wouldn't cover the cost of replacing the food...  More

My husband and I recently moved into a new condominium development that surrounds a golf course to which we belong. We have bought our own golf cart, because we figured it would be handy for getting around the development, as well as on the golf course. But does our condo insurance cover it?...  More

I'm buying home insurance for the first time, and want to make sure I have the right coverage - at the best price, of course. What should I ask my insurance agent or broker before buying?...  More

I recently bought a new snowmobile. But before I hit the trails next winter, I need to find out how to insure it. Is it covered under my homeowners policy?...  More

With the arrival of winter (ugh!), I couldn't help thinking about the terrible ice storm that hit Quebec and eastern Ontario last year. Now I'm wondering whether damage caused by ice and snow is covered under my insurance policy....  More

I will be moving soon, but will be going back and forth between my current and new house for a month before moving day. Will my home insurance cover my belongings while they're at either place, as well as on moving day?...  More

I have some valuable jewellery that I inherited from my grandmother. My insurance broker tells me I should have it "scheduled", whatever that means! I thought it was already covered under my homeowners policy -- and now I'm supposed to pay more to have it "scheduled"? How come?...  More

The other day, we had a terrible thunderstorm. The giant elm tree in my backyard was struck by lightning and fell over, damaging the back end of my neighbour's house. She's pretty angry about it. Now I'm afraid I will have to pay, not only to remove and replace my tree, but also to fix her house. Will my insurance cover any of this?...  More

After years of apartment living, I finally found the perfect home for my family and me. After I had taken possession of the house - and a few weeks before we moved in - I decided to do some yard work. A few days later, a neighbour's child pulled the covering off an excavated trench that I was working on, fell in, and sustained head injuries. Now the neighbour is saying the hazard should have been better protected...  More

I was standing out on my porch the other day, chatting with my next-door neighbour, when my neighbour across the street got in his car and backed out of his driveway in a terrible hurry -- right into my beautiful flowering shrub! He not only ripped the shrub out of the ground, but made a huge rut in my lawn as well. Even worse, I find out that he's driving without car insurance! But more to the point, will my insurance cover my plant plight?...  More

Three dining room chairs were stolen from my house. My insurance will pay to replace them. However, I don't really need three chairs, so I thought I would replace them with two chairs of a better quality for the same amount of money. However, my insurer says I must replace all three. Can't I decide how to spend the insurance money I receive?...  More

When I lit a fire in my fireplace on the first cold day of the season, I didn't know that my chimney was blocked. Smoke billowed out and filled the room, covering it with soot. It ruined my walls, furniture, carpeting - everything! Now my insurance company is saying that only my walls and flooring are covered for smoke damage, and not my furniture, because I have something called a "broad form" policy. What does this mean?...  More

My wife and I are heading for Florida right after the holiday season, but my insurance broker told me we have to make certain arrangements with our house before we go. What did he mean? And besides, what business is it of the insurance company if we go away for a few months?...  More