With so many moving parts, home insurance can be challenging to understand. But if you want to protect yourself, your home, and your loved ones, there are a few basic things you need to know.
Keep reading to learn all about home insurance in Kingston, including how the process works, what affects your premiums, and where to find the best insurance providers for you.
Quick Facts About Home Insurance in Kingston
- Kingston home insurance is LESS expensive than the Ontario average.
- The average annual cost of home insurance in Kingston is around $753.
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
What Risks Affect Homeowners in Kingston?
Canadian homeowners across the nation experience similar natural and man-made risks, but there are a few risks specific to the Kingston area. These include:
Flooding
Whether from storms, thawed snow, or damaged piping, water can be a destructive force on your home. If moisture seeps into your house, it can significantly weaken the infrastructure, cause mould, and even pose a risk to your well-being. You can get flood protection as an add-on to your policy.
Earthquakes
While Kingston isn’t particularly prone to strong earthquakes, there have been more than 150 earthquakes that occurred within 500 km of the city within the last decade. Kingston is also close to Ottawa and Quebec, two cities that were seriously damaged in the 2010 Central Canada earthquake. Earthquake coverage is typically added to a standard home insurance policy.
Freezing
When it comes to natural disasters most Kingston residents are primarily concerned with harsh winter conditions such as blizzards and ice storms. Cold temperatures can freeze pipes, which can lead to extensive (and expensive) damage.
How Much Does Home Insurance in Kingston Usually Cost?
Because home insurance rates are determined by a variety of factors, there’s not going to be a definitive answer as to how much Kingston home insurance premiums will cost.
Insurance providers will look at the value and age of your home, where it’s located, and what policy type you prefer. Expect to get different quotes, as different companies will have different ways to assess your coverage needs and potential risk.
That said, the cost of home insurance in Kingston is around $753/year. This is much lower than Ontario’s average of $1,162/year.
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
Does Where You Live in Kingston Affect Your Home Insurance?
Yes, where you live in Kingston can affect your home insurance. Insurance providers take into account various factors related to your location when determining your home insurance rates and coverage. Here are some ways in which the location within Kingston can impact your home insurance:
Crime rates
The crime rates in your neighbourhood can influence your home insurance premiums. Areas with higher crime rates, including theft, vandalism, and burglaries, are considered riskier, and insurance providers may charge higher premiums to offset the potential risk of property damage or theft. Petty thefts and vandalism are considered relatively moderate in Kingston. Some areas with high crime include Chandler-Mowat, Cedar Hill, and the Market District.
Proximity to emergency services
The distance between your home and the nearest fire or police station, as well as the availability of fire hydrants in your area, can impact your home insurance rates.
Replacement costs
The cost of rebuilding or repairing your home in case of a loss is a significant factor in determining home insurance rates. Residential development costs in Kingston for a single detached home cost roughly $14,000 in central neighbourhoods.
Postal Codes With the Most Expensive Home Insurance in Kingston
K7K is the most expensive postal code in Kingston when it comes to home insurance.
Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
---|---|
K7K | $767 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
Postal Codes With the Least Expensive Home Insurance in Kingston
People living in the K7N postal code area can enjoy some of the cheapest home insurance rates in Kingston.
Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
---|---|
K7M | $745 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
Housing Data in Kingston
Learn more about the average Kingston home, based on housing data in the 2021 Census of Population:
Type of Occupied Dwelling
A third (33.1%) of occupied Kingston homes are in apartment buildings, but a large majority (48%) are single-detached houses.
Owner vs Renter Stats/Condo vs Non-Condo Owners
Most Kingston houses are owned (55.9%), while rentals come in second (44.2%). Condominium dwellings make up just 6.6% of the owned housing market, while 93.4% are other types of dwellings (e.g., semi-detached).
Private Dwellings by Period of Construction: New or Older Homes?
More than half of the homes in Kingston (52.7%) were constructed before 1980. Only 5% of houses in Kingston were built from 2016 to 2021.
Major Repairs or Just Maintenance Needed?
If you have a Kingston home, chances are it only needs minor repairs and maintenance. Only 6.5% of homes in Kingston need major repairs.
Homeownership Rate by Age in Kingston
Below are the homeownership rates in Kingston, categorized by different age groups.
Age Group | Homeownership Rate |
---|---|
15 to 24 | 7.1% |
25 to 39 | 38.2% |
40 to 54 | 64.5% |
55 to 74 | 68.6% |
75 and over | 62.4% |
Average Home Price in Kingston by Dwelling Type
The price of a single detached house in Kingston is $670,750, significantly lower than the Ontario average of $800,000.
Type of Dwelling | Average Value |
---|---|
Detached | $670,750 |
Semi-Detached | $580,000 |
Freehold Townhouse | $547,500 |
Kingston Population Growth
Kingston’s population grew by 7.01% between the years of 2016 and 2021.
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 Kingston. 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 Kingston?
Home insurance is not mandatory in Kingston, but we highly recommend getting a policy. Here’s why:
Coverage for damage or loss
Natural disasters, theft, and vandalism can all damage your home. Aside from the stress it can cause, it can also be expensive to recover from – you may even end up house-poor if you can’t afford renovations or a new home. Thankfully, home insurance can cover the damages, plus the cost of temporary housing while your house is being repaired.
Coverage for liabilities
Home insurance can help you cover legal fees and settlements if someone is hurt or injured on your property.
Requirement for mortgage
Some lenders require you to get home insurance before you can get a home loan.
How You Can Get Cheap Home Insurance in Kingston
Visit our Ontario page for practical tips and learn how to save money on home insurance.