Most Ottawa homeowners focus on contractors, materials, and permits when planning a renovation — and completely overlook their home insurance. This oversight can be devastating. A fire during construction, water damage from plumbing work, or a contractor injury on your property could result in a claim denial if your insurer wasn't notified about the renovation. In 2026, Ottawa insurance companies are paying close attention to renovation activity because claims during construction are significan...
**Always Notify Your Insurer Before Starting:** - Any renovation costing more than $20,000 - Any structural modification (wall removal, additions, second storey) - Any roof replacement or significant exterior work - Basement finishing or conversion to living space - Electrical system upgrades (panel replacement, rewiring) - Plumbing system changes - Any renovation that will leave the home unoccupied for more than 30 days **What to Tell Them:** 1. Scope of work (what's being done) 2. Total budge...
One of the biggest misconceptions in home renovation is that your contractor's insurance covers everything. It doesn't. **What Your Contractor's Insurance Covers:** - General Liability: Damage your contractor causes to your property during their work (e.g., a painter drops equipment through your floor) - WSIB: Injuries to the contractor's employees while working on your property - Professional Liability (if carried): Design errors by the contractor **What Your Contractor's Insurance Does NOT C...
Renovations can increase or decrease your insurance premiums depending on what's done: **Renovations That May Increase Premiums:** - Adding a wood-burning fireplace: +$50–$200/year - Adding a pool: +$100–$300/year - Finishing a basement with a rental suite: +$100–$400/year - Home additions that increase square footage: Variable based on added area - High-value kitchen (premium appliances, custom millwork): Increases replacement cost **Renovations That May Decrease Premiums:** - Upgrading elect...
Learn from others' expensive mistakes: **Mistake #1: Not Notifying the Insurer** Consequence: Claim denial for any incident during renovation. Even if the incident is unrelated to the renovation (e.g., a tree falls on your house), the insurer may argue that failure to disclose material changes to the property voids the policy. **Mistake #2: Hiring Uninsured Contractors** Consequence: If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you may be personally liable. WSIB claims against uninsured...
Yes, for any renovation over $20,000, any structural work, electrical/plumbing changes, or renovations that leave the home unoccupied for 30+ days. Failure to notify can result in claim denial.
It depends. Upgrades to electrical, plumbing, roofing, and heating often decrease premiums. Increased replacement value increases premiums. The net effect is often neutral or even a slight decrease after a comprehensive renovation.
Partially. Your contractor's general liability covers damage they cause during work. It does not cover weather damage, theft, non-contractor incidents, or damage discovered after the project is complete. A course-of-construction rider from your insurer fills these gaps.
Also called builder's risk insurance, it covers materials on site, work in progress, and construction-related risks during renovation. It costs $500–$2,000 for a major renovation and is recommended for projects over $50,000.
Yes. If you didn't notify your insurer of significant renovations and a claim occurs (even unrelated to the renovation), the insurer may deny coverage based on failure to disclose material changes to the property.