Quick Facts About Home Insurance in Scarborough
- Scarborough home insurance is LESS expensive than the Ontario average.
- The average annual cost of home insurance in Scarborough is around $978.
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
What Risks Affect Homeowners in Scarborough?
Like any Ontario city, Scarborough comes with several risks to homeowners. These potential threats include the following:
Landslides
Residents living near the Scarborough Bluffs should be mindful of rising water levels and unstable cliffs. Homes may incur damage from surrounding landslides.
Fires
Scarborough is just as susceptible to fires as the rest of Toronto. Homeowners should equip their properties with smoke detectors, sprinklers, and other essential safety equipment.
Harsh weather
Scarborough, like most other Toronto cities, is prone to extreme weather conditions like heavy rainstorms, high winds, and harsh winters. These severe weather conditions can cause water damage, roof damage, and falling objects.
Sewer clogging
Because of the harsh rains, Scarborough homeowners should anticipate severe sewer backups.
How Much Does Home Insurance in Scarborough Usually Cost?
The average cost of home insurance in Scarborough is $978 However, prices may fluctuate depending on which Scarborough neighbourhood you have a property in.
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
Does Where You Live in Scarborough Affect Your Home Insurance?
Yes, where you live in Scarborough can influence your home insurance rates. Here are a few factors that can impact your final policy rates:
Crime rates
While the crime rate in Scarborough is 3% lower than in the rest of Toronto, properties are still not immune to petty crimes. Homeowners should install robust security systems to protect against vandalism, break-ins, and theft. Neighbourhoods with higher crime rates can result in more expensive insurance premiums.
Neighbourhood
If you live in a more expensive neighbourhood or suburb in Scarborough, expect insurance rates to be higher. East Scarborough, which comprises Rouge Hill, Highland Creek, and West Rouge, typically have the highest insurance rates.
Distance from emergency services
Do you live near emergency services like fire and police stations? If so, expect your insurance rates to be lower, as your property will be within a lower-risk area.
Postal Codes With the Most Expensive Home Insurance in Scarborough
M1C tends to have homes with above-average home insurance rates in Scarborough.
Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
---|---|
M1C | $1,121 |
M1E | $1,071 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
Postal Codes With the Least Expensive Home Insurance in Scarborough
The M1B and M1E postal codes have some of the cheapest home insurance rates in Scarborough.
Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
---|---|
M1B | $972 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
Housing Data in Scarborough
To get a better picture of the housing landscape in Scarborough, review the following housing data from the 2021 Census of Population.
Type of Occupied Dwelling
Most Scarborough homes are apartments in building with more than five stories (41.5%). The next most popular dwellings are single-detached houses (34.2%), followed by apartments in flats or duplexes (9.8%). Approximately 7.1% of properties are row houses.
Owner vs Renter Stats/Condo vs Non-Condo Owners
There is an almost even split between owners and renters in Scarborough. 56.8% of people own their homes, while 43.2% rent them.
Private Dwellings by Period of Construction: New or Older Homes?
Most Scarborough homes were built before 1960 (35.7%), followed by homes built between 1961 and 1980 (32.8%). Only 2.9% of homes were built between 2016 and 2021.
Major Repairs or Just Maintenance Needed?
93.2% of homes only require minimal maintenance and minor repairs. By comparison, a small 6.8% of homes require major repairs and replacements.
Average Home Price in Scarborough by Dwelling Type
Below are the average values of homes in Scarborough, categorized by dwelling type:
Type of Dwelling | Average Value |
---|---|
Detached | $1,152,000 |
Semi-Detached | $975,000 |
Freehold Townhouse | $933,500 |
Scarborough Population Growth
Scarborough’s population slightly increased from 102,386 to 103,449 people between 2016 and 2021, indicating a growth rate of roughly 1% over the course of 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 Scarborough. 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 Scarborough?
While not mandated, there are many reasons why getting home insurance in Scarborough is a good idea. These include the following:
- To provide financial protection for personal liability, in case someone is injured on your property
- To rebuild your home in case of perils like fires, vandalism, storm damage, falling objects, and explosions
- To replace your personal belongings in case of loss
- To provide financial assistance in case your home becomes uninhabitable for any reason
- To meet mortgage requirements
- To provide yourself with peace of mind
How You Can Get Cheap Home Insurance in Scarborough
If you’re trying to save money on your preferred home insurance coverage in Scarborough, visit our Ontario page for practical tips.