There are many reasons to get Container House insurance in Calgary. First of all, you want to make sure your house, cottage, or tenancy is covered for damage, theft, and flooding. Secondly, you want to know if you are overpaying for home insurance, and if you are, you want to know if you have access to a more affordable insurer. We can help you connect with a live insurance broker who will give you the information you need to insure your house in Calgary. You can also request a quote from at least 10 Canadian home insurers, so you can compare rates.
Typical Home Insurance Premiums
Home protection prices are different for rented and owned properties. Tenants insurance for rented homes covers the basic contents of a house and some liability (you may need a separate policy for fine art, wine collections, furs, and other expensive, atypical items). Tenants insurance is often cheaper than homeowners insurance.
Homeowners insurance covers the building and its exterior, as well as risks connected to theft, fire, earthquake, etc. Since the value of the building is much higher than the contents of a rented unit, homeowners insurance premiums are significantly higher than are the premiums for tenants insurance.
In order to have a broader picture of home insurance rates in Canada, here are statistics of the average home rates in Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, and Canada. These statistics are provided by InsurEye.
In Alberta, monthly house insurance rates are typically $84 for homeowners and $49 for renters.
In Ontario, monthly home insurance rates are typically $78 for homeowners and $42 for renters.
In British Columbia, monthly home protection rates are typically $85 for homeowners and $47 for renters.
Across Canada, monthly home insurance rates are typically $77 for homeowners and $41 for renters.
Examples of Calgary Home Insurance Quotes
Home insurance quotes in Calgary depend on the size of a building, its location, and possible risks (like flooding). The following examples of house insurance quotes will help you better understand how much home insurance can potentially cost you:
· For a 2,800 square foot, two-storey house in Calgary, in the neighbourhood of Altadore near River Park, expect approximately $98 monthly ($1,176 a year).
· For an 850 square foot, two-bedroom condominium on the 12th floor in downtown Calgary, next to Central Memorial Park, the insurance costs are approximately $23 a month ($276 a year).
· For a one-storey house in Calgary, in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, located close to 4th St NW and the Trans-Canada Highway, the insurance is approximately $62 monthly ($744 a year).
Flooding Coverage for Homes in Calgary
Since Calgary often sees flooding, every homeowner should be prepared for the possibility of this risk and should understand the main aspects of home protection and flooding. One thing you should keep in mind is that home protection in the flood-endangered areas of the city is more expensive because of the much higher risk.
There are four main types of flooding. It is important to remember that your home insurance policy treats each of them differently:
1. Overland flooding occurs as a consequence of water (rain or melting snow) entering your house from the outdoors. Standard insurance in Calgary does not cover expenses from overland flooding. However, some companies do provide coverage for this type of flooding at an additional cost.
2. Roof leakage can be covered or not covered, depending on the factors that caused it. If the roof was in poor condition from the beginning, your insurance provider will not cover the damage. Your home insurance will most likely cover damage from a natural cause, like hail.
3. Your insurer will cover plumbing issues, only if you comply with the rules in your policy, such as having somebody visit your home while you are not there for extended periods of time (for example, while you are on vacation).
4. Sewer backup happens when wastewater is driven back into your house. Traditional home protection does not cover this type of flooding. However, you can always purchase this type of coverage as an addition to your home insurance policy.
The Difference Between Condo and Tenants Insurance in Calgary
Owners of condos can purchase homeowners insurance for their condo. The condominium corporation purchases commercial condo insurance. The difference between these two policies is in what part of the condo they cover. The homeowners insurance covers the contents of the condominium. The coverage also includes protection for upgrades, locker contents, third party liability, theft, additional living expenses, and sometimes special insurance assessments.
The commercial condominium corporation’s insurance covers the building’s exterior (envelope), together with its infrastructure and common areas.
Condo renters in Calgary need tenants insurance to cover the contents of their condos. This type of protection is usually mandatory and is part of the rental contract. In addition to the coverage of contents against theft, fire, and other hazards, the insurance also extends to third party liability and additional living expenses. Living expenses are for the cases when the condo is unlivable (due to earthquake, flood, fire, etc.), so the renter is forced to live in a hotel or rental unit until the condo repairs are complete.
Purchasing a home, especially if it’s the first time, can be an intimidating process, so it’s not surprising that you’re trying to do it right. Of course, timing is an important part of the home buying process, but in the Jupiter real estate market, when is the right time, exactly? Unfortunately, there is no perfect time to buy a home in South Florida, but there are some clues that can help you to make the wisest decision.
How Does the Florida Real Estate Market Differ?
Jupiter, FL and the surrounding areas like Hobe Sound, Tequesta, Palm Beach Gardens and the Treasure Coast are known as an ideal place to buy a home, not only because of the beautiful weather and proximity of some of the best beaches in the country, but also because home buyers enjoy great features and an impressive return on investment. There are, however some considerations to keep in mind when purchasing a home in Florida.
You’ve probably already noticed a difference in the typical home buying “season.” Though the winter months may be a bit of a down time in most real estate markets, it’s a more vibrant time in Jupiter. In fact some make their home in Florida only during the cooler months. It’s also important to recognize that there are some subtle differences in the home buying process because of the coastal location. For example, insurance is a must, but it’s generally lower if you purchase a home built after 2002, so getting the mix of location, home features and timing right is important when you buy a home in Jupiter.
Is the Timing Right?
The traditional home buying seasons are spring and summer, but these aren’t the only options. In fact, you might have better luck buying your Jupiter home during the off-seasons. Sometimes peak season means that you’ll run into more completion and higher prices. In fact, there’s some wisdom in the suggestion that the best days to purchase a home are during the Christmas holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you’ll encounter many homeowners that are in a festive mood and it’s thought that only serious sellers place their homes on the market at this time.
Take a look at the local real estate listings for Jupiter, if houses have been sitting on the market for a while, it might be the time to make your move. If properties are selling quickly though, you might be in a seller’s market, which can raise prices and leave you frustrated. It’s completely acceptable to rent a Palm Beach County home while you are waiting for the right time to arise.
Whenever you begin your Jupiter home search, it’s a good idea to work with a real estate pro that is familiar with the local market. The best time to buy may vary from year to year, and even from neighborhood to neighborhood. What’s vital to consider though, is whether the timing is really right for you.
Where are Your Finances?
You may have great credit and a great job, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the right time to buy a home. Most lenders will want you to make a large down payment, 20% of the home’s price, in many cases. This isn’t always the case however, and some homeowners are surprised when they learn that they qualify for special programs and down payment assistance. As a first time homebuyer, special assistance may be available to you through state programs, so reaching out to a Jupiter real estate expert for advice on timing isn’t a bad idea.
Once you have your down payment situated, you’ll still need to decide if you can afford the monthly mortgage. Before you even begin home shopping, you should have a solid understanding of how much home you can really afford. Monthly mortgage payments should be a large part of your calculations, but you should also keep in mind that you’ll have maintenance costs, homeowners association fees, insurance and other costs associated with the home.
If your credit is shaky, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t qualify for a home loan. It can make the process more difficult, however. If you can devote some time to repairing your credit score, it will make buying a home easier, so waiting can work to your benefit.
Buying a Home is Highly Personal
There’s a reason why buying a home is such a momentous experience. It’s a major step! As ready as you might feel to take that step financially, you might not be ready in other ways. Where are you at in your career? Would you consider a relocation, if a better opportunity was offered? Are you considering a marriage or divorce? Are you planning to have children, or do you have children who will soon be leaving the nest? These are just some of the questions to ask yourself before you sign on the dotted line. There are quite a few costs associated with the purchase of a home, so the longer you can stay put in your Jupiter home, the easier the purchase will be on your pocketbook.
