Quick Facts About Home Insurance in Midland
- Midland home insurance is MORE expensive than the Ontario average.
- The average annual cost of home insurance in Midland is around $1,414.
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2024
What Risks Affect Homeowners in Midland?
Many things can cause home damage. Here are common risks to watch out for as a homeowner in Midland:
Crime
While crime levels differ from city to city, there’s always a risk of your home being damaged in criminal acts like vandalism and theft. In fact, Ontario has the highest crime rate in Canada, with a Crime Severity Index of 88.3.
Flooding
Flooding in Ontario is extremely common because so many things can cause it. Some common flood causes include snow melts, heavy rains, and ice jams. Worse still, flash floods can happen with little to no warning. These frequent, sudden floods make flooding the costliest cause of property damage in the province.
Fire
On average, Ontario experiences around 1,000 major forest burns each year. These fires can damage homes and force people to evacuate in extreme cases. Fire departments across the province often issue fire bans that restrict the use of fire pits and other similar items to avoid house fires. As a side effect of forest fires, some areas in Simcoe County, including Midland, may also be exposed to poor air quality and dangerous breathing conditions.
On-property accidents
Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere, regardless of how safe your home is. People may hold you liable for slips and falls that happened on your property, which is where home insurance comes in. Home insurance policies can cover numerous costs related to a slip and fall lawsuit.
How Much Does Home Insurance in Midland Usually Cost?
Home insurance in Midland costs around $1,414 annually. Home insurance premiums are affected by factors like your home’s age, roofing type, proximity to fire hydrants, and more. Using your home as a place of business may also influence your home insurance rates. Using your home for business means more people coming in and out of your property, increasing your liability and risk of losing belongings.
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2024
Housing Data in Midland
Midland’s motto is persequi qualitatem vitae, meaning “in pursuit of quality of life.” The town takes these words to heart by maintaining its position as one of the top places to live in Canada. Popular with tourists and residents alike, Midland hosts various recreational activities like swimming, hiking, and cruises. You can also attend the many festivals in summer, like the Butter Tart Festival.
Located just a 30-minute drive away from Barrie, many Midland residents commute there to work. If you don’t want to commute, Midland has a sizable tourism industry that draws in thousands of visitors every summer.
Another good thing about living in Midland is that its homes are more affordable. The average home price in Midland is $160,000 under the average price in nearby Barrie, and $230,000 under the average price in Toronto. If you’re looking for a place fit for raising a family, Midland is a good choice.
Planning to move to Midland? You can learn more about its housing landscape by checking statistics. Here’s a look at key housing data in Midland from the 2021 Census of Population:
Type of Occupied Dwelling
Out of the 7,850 households surveyed, nearly two-thirds (65%) of them live in single-detached houses, making them the most popular dwelling type in Midland. Low-rise and high-rise apartments were second and third-most popular, with a 12% and 6.8% share of residents, respectively.
Owner vs Renter Stats/Condo vs Non-Condo Owners
Based on the 25% sample data taken in the survey, 65.7% of Midland households own their homes, with the remaining 34.4% being renters. The census also recorded that 440 families, or 5.6% of Midland’s residents, live in condominiums, while the remaining 94.5% reside in non-condos.
Private Dwellings by Period of Construction: New or Older Homes?
61.7% of Midland’s occupied dwellings were built in 1980 or earlier, meaning most of the town’s households live in old homes. Homes built after 2000 are in the minority, with only a cumulative 16.1% share between 2001 and 2021.
Major Repairs or Just Maintenance Needed?
Despite the old age of most Midland homes, only a small portion of them (8%) needs major repairs. The remaining 92% only needed regular maintenance and minor repairs.
Homeownership Rate by Age in Midland
Homeownership rates in Midland are fairly consistent compared to other small towns in the area, with the highest percentage of homeownership occurring in residents ages between 55 to 74, whereas the lowest percentage is with the youngest age group of 15 to 24 at 18.2%.
Age Group | Homeownership Rate |
---|---|
15 to 24 | 18.2% |
25 to 39 | 49.1% |
40 to 54 | 65.2% |
55 to 74 | 72.4% |
75 and over | 69.5% |
Midland Population Growth
Midland’s population increased steadily from 16,864 to 17,817 people between 2016 and 2021, which correlates to a growth rate of roughly 5.7% across the five years.
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 Midland. 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 Midland?
Home insurance isn’t legally required in Midland. That said, having a policy is still a good idea. Home insurance protects you from unforeseen events that cause costly damages. Instead of paying to fix it out of pocket, your policy can lighten the financial load. Here’s a quick look at the reasons why you should get home insurance in Midland:
Liability protection
Accidents happen; when you do, you want to be protected. Unforeseen events can damage your property or get somebody injured on your property. Home insurance policies foot the liability costs of these incidents, meaning you don’t have to shell out as much for legal fees, medical expenses, and other costs you must pay.
Home and belongings protection
Protecting your home and its contents is often the primary reason people get home insurance. A home insurance policy can cover repair and replacement costs if any of your belongings are damaged due to unforeseen events.
Mortgage requirements
Most mortgage lenders require you to get home insurance. Your lender has a financial interest because they have a stake in the house, so they’ll require you to have a home insurance policy to protect their investments.
How You Can Get Cheap Home Insurance in Midland
If you’re trying to save money on your preferred home insurance coverage in Midland, visit our Ontario page for practical tips.