Quick Facts About Home Insurance in Niagara Falls
- Niagara Falls home insurance is MORE expensive than the Ontario average.
- The average annual cost of home insurance in Niagara Falls is around $1,343.
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
What Risks Affect Niagara Falls Homeowners?
If you’re a Niagara Falls homeowner, you’ll need to be more vigilant against certain risks that may damage or destroy your home and belongings. These are some of the most common risks faced by Niagara Falls homeowners which may affect the amount of coverage you’ll want from a policy:
Very cold winters
Winter can damage both the exterior and interior of your home, with common winter-caused problems being frozen pipes, sidewalk cracks, and leaky roofs. Niagara Falls residents should also be wary about melting snow trickling into their homes and causing water damage.
Crime rates
According to the 2021 Canada Crime Severity Index, the rates for both violent and non-violent crimes have gone up in the Niagara region. Niagara Falls homeowners can protect their property from intruders by installing security systems, changing to stronger locks, and putting up strong fencing.
Flooding
Flooding is a major concern for many Canadian homeowners, but Niagara Falls homeowners should be especially vigilant because of the numerous surrounding waterways. Because of rain and melting snowfall, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority periodically issues flood watches to warn residents of riverbank floods.
How Much Does Home Insurance in Niagara Falls Usually Cost?
The average cost of home insurance in Niagara Falls is around $1,343 annually. Note that your own quotes may be affected by different factors like your neighbourhood’s claim history, discounts received for bundling with auto insurance, and the age and size of your home.
For example, if your neighbourhood has well-maintained roads or has fire hydrants nearby, your quotes may be lower. On the other hand, if you live in a neighbourhood where more insurance claims have been filed or there’s greater exposure to certain risks, your premiums may be higher.
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
Postal Codes With the Most Expensive Home Insurance in Niagara Falls
L2E and L2G postal codes have above-average home insurance rates in Niagara Falls.
Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
---|---|
L2E | $1,423 |
L2G | $1,364 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
Postal Codes With the Least Expensive Home Insurance in Niagara Falls
Households in the L2J postal code have some of the cheapest home insurance rates in Niagara Falls.
Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
---|---|
L2J | $1,276 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
Housing Data in Niagara Falls
Wondering about the average age and condition of homes in Niagara Falls, or how many rent their homes instead of owning them? Here’s a quick overview of Niagara Falls housing data according to the 2021 Census of Population:
Type of Occupied Dwelling
Nearly two-thirds of Niagara Falls’ occupied dwellings are single-detached houses (66.1%). Only 13.2% of occupied dwellings in Niagara Falls are apartments in buildings that have fewer than five storeys.
Owner vs Renter Stats/Condo vs Non-Condo Owners
Most Niagara Falls residents own their private residences (70.4% of a 25% sample data set), while only 29.6% declared that they were renting their homes. 92.1% of Niagara Falls residents surveyed live in occupied dwellings that are not condominiums, compared to just 7.9% of residents living in condominiums in Niagara Falls.
Private Dwellings by Period of Construction: New or Older Homes?
Nearly a third of private dwellings in Niagara Falls (30.9%) were built in 1960 or earlier, while 29.9% were constructed from 1961 to 1980. Newer homes are fewer in this city, with just 6.9% of homes constructed from 2016 to 2021.
Major Repairs or Just Maintenance Needed?
Most Niagara Falls homes are in good shape, with 94.6% of homes needing only regular maintenance and minor repairs. Just 5.4% of occupied Niagara Falls private dwellings need major repairs.
Homeownership Rate by Age in Niagara Falls
Homeownership in Niagara Falls falls within the average range in relation to other cities with real estate at a similar price point, naturally, homeownership rates increase with older residents. In Niagara Falls the highest rate occurs with the oldest age group of 75 and over, at 76.9% and the lowest rate occurs at the youngest age group of 15 to 24 at 23.7%.
Age Group | Homeownership Rate |
---|---|
15 to 24 | 23.7% |
25 to 39 | 53.9% |
40 to 54 | 71.2% |
55 to 74 | 76.6% |
75 and over | 76.9% |
Average Home Price in Niagara Falls by Dwelling Type
Below are the average values of homes in Niagara Falls, categorized by dwelling type:
Type of Dwelling | Average Value |
---|---|
Detached | $639,000 |
Semi-Detached | $539,500 |
Freehold Townhouse | $632,500 |
Niagara Falls Population Growth
Niagara Falls’ population increased steadily from 88,071 to 94,415 people between 2016 and 2021, indicating a growth rate of roughly 7.2% over the specified 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 Niagara Falls. 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 Niagara Falls?
You don’t really “need” home insurance in Niagara Falls, but it’s still highly recommended for homeowners because of the protection it affords. Natural disasters or unpredictable situations like break-ins or fires can result in damage or even total destruction, resulting in huge expenses you may not be able to handle. Here’s how home insurance can help:
Protection for your house and possessions
Both your home and personal belongings have financial and sentimental value, but they can be damaged or lost at any time by unpredictable causes. A home insurance policy financially prepares you for perils like hail storms and flooding so you’re not worrying over hefty bills.
Protection for additional structures
Apart from your main house, your home may also have attached structures such as a tool shed or garden gazebo. A home insurance policy can also cover these structures from included risks so you won’t be out of pocket if they need repairs or replacement.
Mortgage conditions
If you took out a mortgage, your Niagara Falls bank or lending institution may have required you to get home insurance before you receive your loan. This is because your lender now has a financial interest in protecting your house and its attached structures from risks, and home insurance is seen as an assurance that these will be covered in the case of unforeseen events.
How You Can Get Cheap Home Insurance in Niagara Falls
If you’re trying to save money on your preferred home insurance coverage in Niagara Falls, visit our Ontario page for practical tips.