Quick Facts About Home Insurance in Pembroke
- Pembroke home insurance is LESS expensive than the Ontario average.
- The average annual cost of home insurance in Pembroke is around $1,056.
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, November 2024
What Risks Affect Homeowners in Pembroke?
Many things can cause home damage. Here are common risks to watch out for as a homeowner in Pembroke:
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. The fire risk in Pembroke was so high, it was declared a Restricted Fire Zone in June 2023, which also led to the postponing of Canada Day fireworks.
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 Pembroke Usually Cost?
Home insurance in Pembroke costs around $1,056 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 Pembroke
With its low crime rate and excellent amenities, Pembroke is one of the best places to live in the Ottawa Valley. It also has varied recreational activities that range from white water rafting to snowmobile tours. While Pembroke exudes that small-town charm, it’s still relatively close to Ottawa, which is just 90 minutes away by car.
Planning a move to Pembroke? Check out the city’s housing statistics to learn more about the area. Here’s a look at essential residential data in Pembroke from the 2021 Census of Population:
Type of Occupied Dwelling
Out of the 6,540 households surveyed, over half (57.8%) of them live in single-detached homes. While single-detached homes are the most popular dwelling type in the city, low-rise apartments come second with a 25.8% share. Notably, there are no apartments in buildings over five storeys in Pembroke.
Owner vs Renter Stats/Condo vs Non-Condo Owners
There’s a nearly even split between homeowners and renters in Pembroke. Based on the 25% sample data, 57.8% of the city are homeowners, which coincides with the percentage of households living in single-detached homes. Meanwhile, the remaining 42.2% rent their residences.
Out of all the households surveyed, only 2.8% or 180 households live in condominiums, while the remaining 97.3% live in non-condo properties.
Private Dwellings by Period of Construction: New or Older Homes?
Nearly half (47.6%) of households in Pembroke live in homes built in 1960 or before. The second-largest portion of Pembroke households live in homes built between 1961 and 1980, with a 25.7% share. Homes built after 1980 are in the minority, which means most of Pembroke’s homes are relatively old.
Major Repairs or Just Maintenance Needed?
Despite the age of most homes in Pembroke, they’re generally well-kept. Only 8.4% or 550 of the city’s households reported their home needed major repairs. The remaining 91.6% of households only needed minor repairs and regular maintenance.
Homeownership Rate by Age in Pembroke
Homeownership in Pembroke is quite comparable to other small, rural cities in Ontario. There is an impressive 24.5% of residents aged 15 to 24 who are homeowners in Pembroke. The older age groups are more or less in line with other similar cities.
Age Group | Homeownership Rate |
---|---|
15 to 24 | 24.5% |
25 to 39 | 48.5% |
40 to 54 | 57.8% |
55 to 74 | 63.7% |
75 and over | 64.4% |
Pembroke Population Growth
Pembroke’s population increased steadily from 13,882 to 14,364 people between 2016 and 2021, which indicates a growth rate of roughly 3.5% 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 Pembroke. 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 Pembroke?
Home insurance isn’t legally required in Pembroke. 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 Pembroke:
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 Pembroke
If you’re trying to save money on your preferred home insurance coverage in Pembroke, visit our Ontario page for practical tips.