Home Insurance – Alberta
Your home is your sanctuary – where you gather with family and friends, keep your most precious belongings, and where your most memorable moments take place. Not to mention, it’s likely one of the biggest financial investments you’ll ever make. So, it makes sense that you’d want to protect it with a comprehensive home insurance policy.
Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or a seasoned property owner, there’s nothing more nerve-wracking than the unexpected. From burst pipes to natural disasters, there’s a range of unforeseen events that you’ll want to make sure your home is protected from.
Get a home insurance policy in Alberta for peace of mind – so you can focus your time on things that really matter.
Get InsuranceHome insurance in Alberta, explained
Home insurance in Alberta is the safety net you need for peace of mind. It offers protection from the unexpected, ensuring you’re not on the hook for 100% of the expenses to repair your home, replace your belongings, or find alternate accommodations while your home’s being repaired.
Home insurance in Alberta comes with a number of standard coverages to make sure you’re protected – plus, you can level up your policy with additional coverage for even more security.
What does Alberta home insurance cover?
Home insurance in Alberta covers a few main things: the structure of your home, your belongings inside it, and your liability as a homeowner. Home insurance protection can also extend to other structures on your property, cover things like expenses you incur if your home becomes unliveable due to an insured loss, and more.
Also referred to as property insurance in Alberta, dwelling coverage helps cover the cost of rebuilding or repairing the structure of your home, including fixtures, plumbing and heating, in the event of an insured loss.
Also called contents insurance in Alberta, this protects your personal belongings that are inside your home. They’ll be repaired or replaced if they’re damaged or lost due to an insured loss. Most standard home insurance policies will protect them whether they’ve been damaged at home or anywhere in the world. We recommend insuring your personal property for its replacement cost value. Replacement cost value ensures that you can replace yesterday’s purchases at today’s prices.
This provides protection for additional structures on your property like a shed, guesthouse, or gazebo, and fixtures attached to land such as a driveway, sidewalks, patio, fence and swimming pool.
Suppose your home can’t be occupied due to a covered insurance loss; your home insurance policy will cover Additional Living Expenses (‘ALE’) over and above your normal living costs during this time. The additional cost of alternative living arrangements will be covered, including increased food costs until you’re back home or have access to cooking facilities in your temporary accommodation.
Provides protection against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or family members may cause to other people. It pays for both the legal costs and any court awards, up to the limit of your policy, if you’re held legally responsible. It covers you whether you are at home or away.
If your home is left vacant due to a move or new construction, you are vulnerable to losses from vandalism and other mishaps. When a home is vacant for more than 30 days coverage will cease unless a vacancy permit is added to the policy. Some coverages will be eliminated as soon as the property becomes vacant, such as vandalism.
This covers damage caused by sudden accumulation of ground water or surface water, such as excessive rain, overflowing rivers, spring run-off or melting snow that enters through doors or windows.
As a homeowner you may not realize that you are responsible for underground service lines, such as water, sewer, natural gas, power and telephone, that run from city property lines to your home. This coverage pays to repair or replace underground service lines that accidentally break, leak, tear, rupture, collapse or arc.
This coverage insures your property for damage by the backup of sewers and drains (does not include flood protection).
Get help through the recovery process if you or someone in your household is a victim of identity theft.
This covers common equipment in your home like heating and air conditioning systems if they fail to operate because of mechanical or electrical failure.
If your home requires repairs, this coverage protects you for any additional costs to repair or replace the home as a result of updated by-laws.
You can add certain belongings to your policy for extra coverage – think jewellery, fine art, and expensive sports equipment. Some of these items along with others may have a maximum limit payable – always speak to your broker about your policy to understand the limits of your coverage.
Many homeowners are opting to add personal cyber protection to their home insurance policy. With more elements of day-to-day life being online, it’s more important than ever to protect your personal information and digital identity.
How much is home insurance in Alberta?
How much you pay for home insurance in Alberta depends on where you live, your home, and more.
What factors determine the cost of home insurance in Alberta?
How much you pay for home insurance in Alberta depends on the coverage you choose, the type of home insurance you need and other factors including:
Depending on how old your home is, it could be more at risk of a claim compared to others.
Your address provides insight into whether your area is prone to flooding, at risk of crime, and other common types of claims made. Your homes proximity to emergency services like a fire station or fire hydrant will affect the risk and therefore, your premium.
Some materials are harder to work with, could pose an increased risk, or increase the cost of repairs/replacement. The materials used during the construction of your home will affect the limit of insurance required.
Your home insurance premium can be reduced when you’re eligible for discounts. Most insurance companies in Alberta offer discounted rates for things like consenting to a credit check, having a good claims history, and more.
How to save on home insurance in Alberta
One way to save on home insurance is to review and optimize the coverages that are included on your policy. Another option is to increase your deductible to save on your home insurance premium – this means that you’ll pay less on a monthly basis, but would have a higher deductible to pay if you make a claim.
Plus, many insurance companies in Alberta offer a menu of discounts you may be eligible for, bringing down the cost of your insurance.
Discounts on home insurance in Alberta
Mature customer
Customers 55+ can save more on home insurance.
Claims-free
Get rewarded for having a good home insurance claims history.
Monitored alarm system
Protect your home with an alarm system to deter break-ins and theft.
Renewal
Enjoy a loyalty discount when you stay with your insurance provider for multiple consecutive years.
Mortgage-free
No mortgage on your home? Get an extra discount on your home insurance coverage.
Multi-line
Bundle your home and car insurance with the same provider for added savings.
Water leak detection device
Get ahead of water damage with a leak detection device.
Why choose Westland for your home insurance needs?
Expert advisors go above and beyond
Our advisors go the extra mile every step of the way and do the legwork to provide personalized home insurance coverage in Alberta to suit your lifestyle.
Our large network of insurers means more choice
We have a large network of insurers that we can tap into - guaranteeing great rates and options - so you know you’re not missing out.
We work hard to make things simple
Whether it comes to finding the right home insurance coverage or navigating a claim, we keep things simple and use language that everyone can understand
Example of an Alberta home insurance claim
A tornado passed through your neighbourhood and ripped your roof clean off. What now? Depending on your coverage, your home insurance policy can help you recover from the damage that’s been left behind.
Coverages that may kick in to protect you include:
Building/dwelling coverage
Damage to the structure of your home could be covered under your building/dwelling coverage.
Additional Living Expenses
You’ll have to find alternative living arrangements while your home is being repaired. The cost of temporary living arrangements will be covered, even extending to the additional cost of meals over and above your normal food costs until you’re back home or have access to cooking facilities in your temporary accommodation.
Personal Property coverage
Some of your personal belongings were lost or damaged by the storm. Your Personal Property coverage could step in to help repair or replace it.
Connect with us
Our expert advisors are waiting to help you find the perfect home insurance.
Find a branch
Come in and speak to an advisor to get a customized policy made just for you.
Request a quote
Start an online quote at your convenience, and we’ll help you select a plan that works for you.
FAQs about Alberta home insurance
Do you need home insurance in Alberta?
While home insurance isn’t required by law, many lenders require that you have it before getting a mortgage. It’s a small investment to ensure you’ll have peace of mind in case of an emergency – and can help you avoid dipping into your emergency or retirement funds.
Who has the best home insurance rates in Alberta?
The rates you receive will differ depending on the insurance company. That’s one of the many perks of choosing Westland – we’ll help you compare policies from different providers, customize your coverage, and find you the right policy at a price you’ll be comfortable with.
Who insures mobile homes in Alberta?
Many insurance providers we work with offer policies for mobile homes and RVs. Learn more about insurance for mobile homes.
What property and perils are excluded from my policy?
Typically, coverage does not apply to damage caused by flood, surface water, water that backs up through sewers or drains, earth movement, nuclear damage, war, etc. Also excluded are any aircraft, automobile, RV, certain watercraft; and certain bodily injury or physical damage caused by an intentional act of the insured. Other exclusions may apply.
What happens if I have a fire?
How do I collect for my personal property? Whether your policy pays for the replacement or just the depreciated actual cash value of your possessions, you will be paid for personal property you can show you owned at the time of loss. It is a good idea to keep an up-to-date inventory in a secure place. Also, to help you remember what you had, it is helpful to take pictures or videos of each room.
If my items are stolen from my vehicle, is it covered under my auto insurance or my home insurance policy?
Your auto policy excludes coverage for any items carried in or on the vehicle, unless permanently attached. You would need to claim theft of your belongings through your home insurance policy, and it could be covered under Personal Property coverage.
Types of home insurance in Alberta
Condo insurance
Suited for condo owners, condo insurance protects your unit, what’s in it, and renovations and upgrades you might make inside it. Made to complement your condo corporation’s insurance, it’s the protection you need to safeguard your investment.
Tenant insurance
While a landlord policy will protect the structure of the home, renters will still want tenant insurance – also referred to as renters or contents insurance – to cover personal belongings.
Insurance for rental properties
Get the right protection for your rental property to safeguard your investment. Be covered for rental income loss, commercial use, and personal property you’ve trusted your tenants with (like yard maintenance equipment).
Cabin & cottage insurance
Protect your home away from home with a policy for your cottage or cabin. With specialized coverage, we’ll help you find the right policy for even the most remote locations.
Mobile home insurance
Similar to homeowner’s insurance but reflects unique aspects of a mobile home. Mobile home insurance policies offer typical coverages that ensure you can get back to normal as quickly as possible.
Need some help?
Visit Client Support
Check out our resources page for helpful content or connect with our client support team.
Contact Client Support