Belleville home insurance may not be legally required, but there are still many excellent reasons to get it if you’re a homeowner. A home insurance policy can cover damage or loss of your home, personal possession, and attached buildings like your garage or tool she
It can even cover you if accidents in your home cause injuries or damage to your property. Home insurance policies have three varying levels of coverage, each with standard inclusions and optional add-ons for protection from more risks. Learn how Belleville home insurance works, reasons why you should get it, and how to get your preferred coverage at affordable quotes.
Quick Facts About Home Insurance in Belleville
- Belleville home insurance is slightly MORE expensive than the Ontario average.
- The average annual cost of home insurance in Belleville is around $1,244.
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2024
What Risks Affect Belleville Homeowners?
Belleville homeowners are exposed to several hazards that can result in damage or even total destruction of their homes or belongings. These are common risks that typically affect Belleville homeowners and should be serious considerations before choosing your home insurance coverage:
Flooding
Belleville is close to large bodies of water like the Bay of Quinte and the Moira River. When rainfall is unusually heavy, this may cause these and other water sources to overflow and seep into nearby structures. Belleville homeowners should be vigilant against increasing water levels and consider adding a rider for flood coverage to their home insurance policies.
Crime
The incidence of both non-violent and violent crimes has gone up in Belleville, according to data from the Canada Crime Index. A rise in Belleville crime rates means greater risk to your life, home, and personal property. Protect yourself against thieves and trespassers by installing security systems, getting strong locks, and putting fencing around your home.
Fires
A fire can be caused by a wide range of events, from defective appliances to a carelessly discarded match or cigarette. Homeowners should take precautions against fire hazards, especially if they live in densely populated parts of Belleville where fires are likely to spread more quickly.
How Much Does Home Insurance in Belleville Usually Cost?
The average cost of home insurance in Belleville is $1,244 annually. Note that this average can go up or down depending on several factors in your home’s location, such as access to emergency services, the quality of local infrastructure, and local real estate values.
For example, if your home is in a neighbourhood with a lower crime rate, has better roads nearby, or is close to fire hydrants, your home insurance premiums will tend to be lower. On the other hand, if you live in an area that exposes you to more perils and potential natural disasters like floods, your quotes will be higher.
Talk to your preferred home insurance provider to find out more about other considerations that may raise or lower your premiums. Don’t fret if your neighbourhood has higher costs than the city average, as there are still key measures you can take to get more affordable coverage.
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2024
Does Where You Live in Belleville Affect Your Home Insurance?
Yes, where you live in Belleville can affect your home insurance. Home insurance companies consider several different factors before offering you quotes, and one important factor is where you live in Belleville. Here are some ways that where you live in Belleville may affect your home insurance premiums:
Proximity to emergency services and infrastructure
Generally, the easier it is for you to access services like your local fire department or hospital, the lower your home insurance premiums will be. This is because home insurers will deem it more likely that you’ll have immediate help in case of emergencies, reducing potential damage or loss due to certain perils.
History of local claims
Your home insurer may charge higher premiums if you come from a neighbourhood that’s had many claims in the past. The more claims that have been made in an area, the more likely they consider you to file a claim as well, which increases the cost of insurance coverage and administration.
Risk of flooding
Belleville homes that are in flood-prone areas or are close to bodies of water are considered riskier to insure, so insurers will give you higher quotes if you live in these places.
Postal Codes With the Most Expensive Home Insurance in Belleville
K8R and K8P are the most expensive postal codes in Belleville for home insurance.
Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
---|---|
K8R | $1,319 |
K8P | $1,315 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2024
Postal Codes With the Least Expensive Home Insurance in Belleville
K8N is the least expensive postal code in Belleville for home insurance.
Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
---|---|
K8N | $1,213 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2024
Housing Data in Belleville
Curious about the average age and condition of homes in Belleville? Here’s a simple breakdown of housing data in Belleville according to the 2021 Census of Population:
Type of Occupied Dwelling
Over half of Belleville’s occupied dwellings are single-detached houses (59.4%, or 13,980 houses). 17.6% of Belleville’s occupied dwellings are apartments in buildings that have fewer than five storeys, while 9% are apartments in buildings that have five or more storeys.
Owner vs Renter Stats/Condo vs Non-Condo Owners
Nearly two-thirds of Belleville residents own their homes, with 62.5% of a 25% sample data set listing themselves as homeowners. Meanwhile, 37.5% of Belleville residents rent their private dwellings. The vast majority (92.6%) of those surveyed live in dwellings that are not condominiums, while a mere 7.4% live in condominiums.
Private Dwellings by Period of Construction: New or Older Homes?
Nearly half of Belleville’s private dwellings are older homes, with 32.7% of homes constructed in 1960 or earlier, 30.9% constructed between 1961 to 1980, and 10.6% constructed between 1981 to 1990. Only 7.1% of Belleville homes were constructed from 2016 to 2021.
Major Repairs or Just Maintenance Needed?
Most Belleville homes are in good condition, with 94% of all private dwellings needing only regular maintenance and minor repairs. A mere 6% of homes in the city require major repairs.
Homeownership Rate by Age in Belleville
The average homeownership rate among young adults is quite low in Belleville at 48.3%. People in their 50s and 60s have the highest homeownership rate of 69.7% among the Belleville’s homeowners.
Age Group | Homeownership Rate |
---|---|
15 to 24 | 10.3% |
25 to 39 | 48.3% |
40 to 54 | 65.2% |
55 to 74 | 69.7% |
75 and over | 66.9% |
Average Home Price in Belleville by Dwelling Type
The average price for a single detached house in Belleville is $519,000, way below the provincial average of $800,000.
Type of Dwelling | Average Value |
---|---|
Detached | $519,000 |
Freehold Townhouse | $549,000 |
Belleville Population Growth
Belleville’s population grew by 8.58% from 2016 to 2021, following the overall trend of population growth in Canada.
What Is Not Included in a Typical Home Insurance Policy?
Even if you’ve opted for a highly comprehensive home insurance policy, there are some risks that insurers explicitly don’t include as a covered peril. These are called “exclusions” by home insurers.
Here are the most common home insurance exclusions:
Criminal activities
If your home was damaged due to criminal activity, it won’t be covered by your insurance policy.
Damage from tenants
Generally, home insurance companies require specific coverage for homeowners/landlords who plan to rent out their properties. A standard home insurance policy won’t include coverage if you rent your home out and the tenant causes damage.
Earthquakes
Most policies exclude this risk, but you can cover earthquake losses and damage as an add-on to a standard policy.
Failure to maintain your home
Damage or losses caused by poor home upkeep (e.g., clogged storm drains, broken bannisters) won’t be covered, as your insurer deems it your responsibility to manage wear and tear.
Flood damage
Flooding is typically not covered by a standard policy, but it may be included as an add-on.
Home business activities
Home businesses will need separate home-based business insurance to cover home or equipment damage.
Insect damage
Because this is considered a preventable risk, most insurers don’t cover insect damage.
Mortgage or property taxes
These are separate expenses handled by policy owners as they’re unrelated to your home insurance policy.
Mould
Mould caused by poor home maintenance is typically excluded by home insurance policies. Note that this is separate from mould caused by an insured peril, which will be covered by your policy.
Vacant dwelling risks
Many insurers may void your insurance if you leave your home vacant for a prolonged period.
This is by no means an exclusive list of risks typically excluded from a home insurance policy in Belleville. Talk to your home insurance provider to see what’s covered by your policy in case of loss or damage.
Why Do I Need Home Insurance in Belleville?
You don’t “need” home insurance to be a homeowner in Belleville. However, it’s still a good idea to get a home insurance policy to cover huge expenses.
Home insurance isn’t mandatory in Belleville, but you may still need it to protect your home, belongings, and liability in situations that would otherwise put you out of pocket. Here are some compelling reasons why you should get Belleville home insurance:
Protection for your home and belongings
Despite taking care of and increasing your home’s safety, your property may be damaged, lost or stolen. In case of natural disasters or other unforeseen events causing damage or destruction of your home or belongings, a home insurance policy can provide much-needed funds to help you cover repairs and replacements.
Coverage for living expenses
Unforeseen events and natural disasters may cause serious damage to your home, but one of the unexpected consequences is lacking a place to stay and rest in the meantime. Home insurance policies typically cover temporary living expenses until any repairs or restoration are completed, such as the cost of staying in a hotel.
Liability coverage
Accidents happen despite our best efforts, causing injuries to someone in your home or damage to your property. A home insurance policy can cover costs related to your liability in these situations, such as medical bills, repair expenses, and even legal fees if you get sued.
How You Can Get Cheap Home Insurance in Belleville
Are you looking for ways to save money on your Belleville home insurance? Visit our provincial page for practical tips.