Quick Facts About Home Insurance in Windsor
- Windsor home insurance is LESS expensive than the Ontario average.
- The average annual cost of home insurance in Windsor is around $1,022.
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
What Risks Affect Homeowners in Windsor?
Many things can cause home damage. Here are common risks to watch out for as a homeowner in Windsor:
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. As recently as August 2023, summer storms resulted in many floods in Windsor and other areas in Essex County.
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. In addition to the wildfires themselves, the resulting smog may damage your home.
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 Windsor Usually Cost?
Home insurance in Windsor costs around $1,022 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, October 2024
Postal Codes With the Most Expensive Home Insurance in Windsor
L1S and L1N postal codes have above-average home insurance rates in Windsor.
Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
---|---|
L1S | $1,021 |
L1N | $1,062 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
Postal Codes With the Least Expensive Home Insurance in Windsor
The L1T and L1Z postal codes have some of the cheapest home insurance rates in Windsor, since they have lower crime rates due to lower population density.
Postal Code | Average Annual Home Insurance Premium |
---|---|
L1T, L1Z | $972 |
Quote data from MyChoice.ca, October 2024
Housing Data in Windsor
Is living in Windsor right for you? Research can help you find the answer. Here’s a look at Windsor’s housing landscape based on the 2021 Census of Population to assist your research:
Type of Occupied Dwelling
The census surveyed 94,275 households and found that 60.1% or 56,625 live in single-detached homes, making them the most popular dwelling in Windsor. Apartments are the second-most popular dwelling type, with a 13% share for high-rise apartments. Meanwhile, low-rise apartments and duplexes have 11.4% and 4.2% shares, respectively.
Owner vs Renter Stats/Condo vs Non-Condo Owners
Out of the 25% sample data taken by the survey, 58.960 households or 62.5% of Windsor’s residents, are homeowners. The remaining 37.% rent their homes.
Condominiums are rare in Windsor. Only 8.5% of Windsor residents live in condominiums, while the remaining 91.5% live in non-condo properties.
Private Dwellings by Period of Construction: New or Older Homes?
Over two-thirds of homes in Windsor are over four decades old since 68% of the city’s households live in homes built before 1980. Homes built in the new millennium are comparatively rare, with a cumulative share of 13.7% for homes built between 2001 and 2021.
Major Repairs or Just Maintenance Needed?
While most homes in Windsor are old, they’re relatively well-cared for. Only 6,775 households, or 7.2% of the city’s residents, said they needed major repairs for their homes. The remaining 92.8% only needed minor repairs and regular maintenance.
Homeownership Rate by Age in Windsor
Homeownership in Windsor is notably low among individuals aged 25 and younger, falling in line with the average ownership for city residents, like those who live in Windsor. As age increases we can see that the average homeownership rate does as well with roughly 69.5% residents aged between 40 and 75+ owning their home in Windsor.
Age Group | Homeownership Rate |
---|---|
15 to 24 | 15.4% |
25 to 39 | 47.5% |
40 to 54 | 63.8% |
55 to 74 | 69.8% |
75 and over | 75.4% |
Average Home Price in Windsor by Dwelling Type
Below are the average values of homes in Windsor, categorized by dwelling type:
Type of Dwelling | Average Value |
---|---|
Detached | $576,000 |
Semi-Detached | n/a |
Freehold Townhouse | $665,000 |
Windsor Population Growth
Windsor’s population increased steadily from 217,188 to 229,660 people between 2016 and 2021. This indicates a growth rate of roughly 5.7% over these five years, underscoring Windsor’s steady progress as a city and its attraction for new residents.
This is by no means an exclusive list of risks typically excluded from a home insurance policy in Windsor. Talk to your home insurance provider to see what’s covered by your policy in case of loss or damage.
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.
Why Do I Need Home Insurance in Windsor?
Home insurance isn’t legally required in Windsor. 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 Windsor:
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.
Coverage for loss or damage
Your home is at risk of suffering expensive damage or loss due to natural disasters or other perils like theft and vandalism. A home insurance policy can keep you from becoming house-poor if you need to rebuild your home or find a new one. It can even cover the cost of temporary housing as your home is repaired.
Mortgage terms
Lenders and financial institutions like banks may require you to get a home insurance policy as a condition for getting a mortgage loan.
FAQs About Home Insurance in Windsor
How can you get cheaper home insurance in Windsor?
If you’re trying to save money on your preferred home insurance coverage in Windsor, visit our Ontario page for practical tips.