Second Home Insurance Ontario

A second home insurance plan covers damage to the building or property of your secondary home and protects you from personal responsibility if someone visits your property and is injured. For example, if a guest of yours were to fall down a flight of stairs or perhaps trip over an uneven stone patio and end up injured, you may end up facing a civil lawsuit. Having a comprehensive insurance policy would protect you.

Additionally, in order to meet safety and permit codes, second-home owners should find out if their policy covers restoration expenses or upgrading costs. It’s important that you know if your insurance would cover your second home’s replacement cost.

At R&R Plan Cottage Insurance, our team is prepped and ready to answer any questions you have about your second home insurance. We will work side by side to personalize your insurance plan so that it meets exactly what you need. We go above and beyond to ensure our clients are well informed about their comprehensive insurance policies.

A second home is a secondary home. While it’s not your primary residence, it is a dwelling you still intend to inhabit at various times throughout the year, such as weekends and holidays or for out-of-town business. A secondary home is usually purchased purely for your and your family’s enjoyment. Generally, you do not rent out the home when it’s not in use.

Seasonal homes are primarily used for recreational purposes, such as vacations and holidays. “Snowbirds” who travel down to Florida in the winter are a great example of people who often have seasonal homes. Generally, these homes are located quite some distance from their primary residence, such as near a beach or in a warmer climate. Also, people often rent out their vacation homes throughout the rest of the year to other vacationers to help supplement the cost of owning a seasonal home.

Typically, a second home insurance policy covers your property and its contents. It also includes liability coverage for any third-party claims due to injury or property damage. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of our R&R Plan second home insurance plan:

Provides coverage against: 

• Fire damage 
• Storm damage 
• Theft and vandalism 
• Building collapse 
• Damage from bears
• Liability coverage available for up to $5,000,000 
• Protection for an outbuilding, decks, and docks without any additional costs.

In the event that you do plan to rent out your second home when it’s not in use, you will need our short-term rental insurance. It offers coverage for up to six months for the following:

• Personal liability protection should a third party injure themselves on your property 
• Owner’s liability protection against loss or damage caused by your watercraft
• Rental income protection against financial loss due to damage or insured peril 

Yes, typically. Second home insurance is generally very similar to that of your primary residence insurance in that it protects the home, your belongings and your assets. However, the main difference is that the rate for home insurance on a second home is typically higher due to an increased risk of claims. 

The following are factors that typically affect your insurance premiums:

• How long your second home will be vacant.
• Where the second home is located.
• If you plan to rent it out.

Because second homes are often vacant for large periods of time, they are more open to break-ins and vandalism. They are also more prone to damage from a leak, fire, or infestation, which can go undetected for lengthy periods. Also, if your second home is a waterfront property, it will sustain higher insurance rates because it is at a bigger risk of damage from windstorms or hurricanes. Not to mention, if you do plan to rent out your second home for part of the year, you will need to buy additional short-term rental insurance.

The type of coverage you will need will depend on how you plan to use your secondary property. If you are planning to use it as a holiday or secondary home, you will want to get second home insurance coverage. However, if you are planning to use your second home as a seasonal property, you can get seasonal cottage insurance coverage. Also, if you plan to rent out your second home when not in use, don’t forget about our short-term rental insurance to protect your home from loss, damage or liability.

Secondary properties present more risks than someone may expect. This is why a comprehensive insurance policy is essential because it safeguards you from personal responsibility for any damages and related expenses. 

Second home insurance purchased in Ontario will provide secondary property owners coverage for the following:

• Property damage
• Third-party injuries or death
• Associated medical expenses
• Vandalism and theft
• Incurred legal fees as a result of a lawsuit

While second home and primary home insurances share many of the same characteristics, there are a few differences. These differences are because you only occupy your secondary property for short periods of time. 

At R&R Plan Cottage Insurance, we are excited to offer first-rate insurance policies for all second-home owners in Ontario. Here is how our insurance specialists are prepared to assist you:

Secondary Cottage Insurance 

With our secondary cottage insurance policy, we offer year-round, guaranteed replacement costs while protecting your cottage and personal belongings against the following:

• Fire damage 
• Storm damage 
• Theft and vandalism 
• Damage from bears, raccoons, and squirrels
• Liability coverage available for up to $5,000,000

Seasonal Cottage Insurance 

This seasonal cottage insurance policy protects your secondary home against the following: 

• Fire damage 
• Storm damage 
• Theft and vandalism 
• Building collapse
• Liability coverage available for up to $5,000,000 
• Protection for an outbuilding, decks, and docks without any additional costs.

Cottage Rental Insurance 

With the cottage rental insurance policy, you will have coverage that includes the following: 

1. Personal liability protection in the event a third party injures themselves on your property 
2. Owner’s liability protection against loss or damage caused by a watercraft (if “incidental” watercraft is included in your contract)
3. Rental income protection against financial loss due to damage or insured perils

This insurance plan will cover you for up to six months of the year.

Builders Cottage Insurance 

Start your secondary home construction while protecting your structure against damage and liabilities. This coverage includes:

• Protection of building materials both on and off-site 
• Coverage during transportation and construction

Additional Cottage Insurance 

Additional coverage options for secondary homes include:

• Protection from damage that results from squirrels, bears, raccoons, snow loads, freeze-ups, and short-term rental residents
• Protection for outbuildings, decks, docks, and outdoor equipment without any extra fees added
• Protection from damage that is caused by septic backup and flooding, earthquakes, fuel oil release
• Coverage for damage or total loss of motorized vehicles, campers, or trailers
• Coverage for buildings used for farming or other business operations

Before partnering with an insurance firm in Ontario, second-home owners should keep in mind that some features are not included in standardized second-home insurance plans. These omissions often include the following: 

• Septic backup and flooding 
• Earthquakes 
• Fuel oil release 
• Damage or complete loss of motorized vehicles, campers, trailers
• Buildings used for farming or other business purposes 

If you are uncertain of what coverages you need for your secondary home, please do not hesitate to talk with your insurance advisor at R&R Plan Cottage Insurance about our additional coverage options.

Whether second home insurance is mandatory depends on the provincial laws in which your secondary home resides. In accordance with Ontario law, house, condo and tenant insurance are not required. Be that as it may, it is often necessary for secondary property buyers to demonstrate proof of insurance to banks and lenders before they will advance a mortgage. 

Despite not being mandatory, having second home insurance is extremely beneficial for homeowners. Your second home is likely furnished with personalized items that you should have insured in the event of unavoidable perils. Plus, it’s common for second-home owners to make costly renovations to their second home to help it become the home they’ve always dreamed of. Having second home insurance will help ensure you don’t lose it all if disaster strikes!

Just like primary home insurance, second home insurance should be bought as soon as you purchase your secondary property. Your first thought may be to wait until closer to the first time you will use the property, but that puts you at a higher risk of having to pay out of pocket for unexpected property damage or lawsuits. What if, during the next thunderstorm, lightning strikes a nearby tree and damages your roof? Or if your home gets broken into and vandalized because vandals discovered it was sitting vacant? 

Securing your second home insurance immediately after signing the deal on your new mortgage will guarantee you and your second home are safeguarded from any unexpected events, including legal liability, vandalism, theft, fire, natural disasters and more.

Purchasing second home insurance is easy when you partner with our exceptional team at R&R Plan Cottage Insurance! Our free online insurance calculator is ready to help get you started with a free insurance quote in just minutes. 

But first, there are several factors to keep in mind that can affect your insurance quote. Before you get started, here’s what you need to know:

1. How often will you use the property?
2. Where is it located?
3. Do you have road access all year round?
4. When was your recreational property built?
5. How will you maintain your cottage during the winter months?
6. Do you have a boat that requires additional insurance?

R&R Plan Cottage Insurance is Ontario’s only online cottage insurance quote provider. Our goal is to make insurance a simple, fast, and convenient process for all cottage owners in Ontario. Get your free quote today!