How to Find the Best Home Insurance in Ottawa
CAA, Square One, and TD tend to be the best home insurance companies for most homeowners in Ottawa based on average premiums, customer reviews, and financial stability ratings. Compare quotes from at least three home insurance providers to find the best rate and coverage for your Ottawa home.
The best home insurance companies in Ottawa
The best home insurance company for you in Ottawa depends on your insurance needs, home age and value, and insurance history.
* Average rates shown are estimated monthly premiums for a 1,500 square foot two-storey home built in 2006 with an estimated reconstruction cost of $550,00–$600,000.
Best overall: Square One
Why it’s our pick: Square One combines the three most important things in any home insurance provider: competitive prices, robust coverage, and a solid reputation for paying out claims when trouble hits.
Best for home and auto bundles: Intact
Why it’s our pick: Intact’s multi-line discount for bundled home and auto insurance was 19%, well above the industry average of 7% from other carriers.
Cheapest rates: CAA Insurance
Why it’s our pick: If you’re looking for a budget home insurance company in Ottawa, CAA may fit the bill, with below-average rates for most applicant profiles.
Best for new homes: TD Insurance
Why it’s our pick: TD’s below-average rates for new build homes, high-value home insurance product, and positive reputation for efficient home insurance claims make it an excellent choice for new or high-value homes.
Best for older homes: RBC Insurance
Why it’s our pick: RBC offers below-average rates for homes built before 1980, as well as for homes with aging roofs.
Best for new homeowners: Allstate
Why it’s our pick: Allstate’s sample rates for an older “starter home” with no previous history of property insurance were well below the industry average, making it a good option for homeowners just starting out.
Which insurers handled the 2026 Canada Day storm best?
On July 1, 2026, a historic storm dumped 118.4 millilitres of rain on Ottawa, more than doubling the previous record and flooding over 7,000 basements across the city.
In the wake of the mass flooding, Ottawa residents on Reddit’s r/Ottawa forum swapped stories about their insurers’ response to the flood. Most homeowners agreed that insurers were overwhelmed with the sheer volume of claims, but while some described overall positive experiences with prompt action from adjusters and claims specialists, others complained of drawn-out and denied claims, even weeks after the storm.
Mostly positive: Aviva, Square One
“I'm with Aviva, they have been overwhelmed and slow, but relatively easy to get ahold of someone and no push back on covering the claim.” —Anonymous Reddit user, July 13, 2026
“I feel very lucky to be getting as reasonable attention as possible from my insurance. With Aviva (and have extensive water coverage) and had assessors out at our house by the 8th.” —Anonymous Reddit user, August 4, 2026
“We have Square One insurance and they have been very helpful with directing things as we recover.” —Anonymous Reddit user, July 13, 2026
Mostly negative: CAA
“The lady who took my call at CAA insurance said something like "What do you want me to do about it" instead of giving me some guidance. The other lady who called me back 5 days later was confused thinking the flood happened in June.” —Anonymous Reddit user, July 13, 2026
“I'm with CAA and while my adjuster is friendly, the service has been awful. Today was the first time someone came to see my house. Almost two weeks just to have someone come and say, "yup, there was a flood here!" —Anonymous Reddit user, July 13, 2026
A mixed bag: belairdirect, Desjardins, TD, belairdirect
“We are also with Bel-Air, they have been slow but they are definitely communicative. They have sent crew to do clean up, put fans and dehumidifiers, take sample, document and pack our things and then do the demo. We have got a quote from them for the re-build but considering how long it will likely take, we will just take the cash and do it ourselves. Ours is really just install of drywall, flooring and baseboard. Their quote is fair.” —Anonymous Reddit user, August 4, 2026
“I’m with Desjardin. Have all the coverage. Also my spouse is a former renovator and is doing the work himself. Desjardin paid us in full last week.” —Anonymous Reddit user, July 13, 2026
“Called Desjardins while it was still raining (i.e. promptly). Desjardins took 6 days for an adjuster to contact. Still waiting for actual confirmation of denial/coverage. They sent a inspector/contractor that did the bare minimum and just set up a dehumidifier and removed baseboards. I get that the demand is out of their control, but it has not been a good experience.” —Anonymous Reddit user, July 13, 2026
“TD has been nice so far. Full riders for all kinds of flooding, so they'd better be.” —Anonymous Reddit user, July 13, 2026
“I am with TD. They have been slow for our case. We called them on Canada day evening and assignment to adjuster was quick, but the rest of the process had been very slow. Difficult to connect with and talk to my adjuster. Initial visit from the assigned company was about a week later and then hasn't been no communication from either the adjuster or the restoration company for a week. No work has been done except for asbestos sampling. I understand they are overwhelmed but when many clients hit by the same event, they aren't better.” —Anonymous Reddit user, July 13, 2026
What are the different types of home insurance policies in Ottawa?
Home insurance policies in Ottawa include homeowners’ insurance, tenant insurance, and condo insurance policies. If you own a home in Ottawa, you likely need a standard homeowners’ insurance policy.
By default, most home insurance policies in Ottawa are comprehensive policies, meaning that they’ll cover all perils except those listed in your policy as excluded. If you’re working with a tight budget or trying to insure a unique and high-risk home, you may have other options.
How to choose the right home insurance in Ottawa
Home insurance protects the most important financial investment most Canadians will make in their lifetime. Before settling on a quote, make sure you’re getting the right coverage for your investment.
Step 1: Understand your home’s rebuild value
To be sure you’re getting the right home insurance, you’ll need a clear picture of what your property is worth.
Start by calculating your home’s reconstruction cost. You can use online calculators or work with a licensed insurance advisor to reach a general estimate of the cost to rebuild your home from scratch. Every insurance company that gives you a quote will do their own analysis of rebuild costs, but bringing your own estimate to the table can help you evaluate the strengths of each offer.
You can also create a home inventory to estimate the total value of your personal property. While this may seem daunting, going room-by-room and using a checklist like the one provided by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) can speed up the process.
Take careful note of any high-value items that might exceed your policy’s standard limits—think jewellery, bikes, sporting equipment, wine, collectibles, art, and more.
Step 2: Assess your risks
Now consider the realistic threats your home faces, considering both personal factors and Ottawa-specific ones:
- Flood risk: Some Ottawa homes are at elevated flood risk due to their location on major waterways including the Ottawa and Gatineau Rivers. If you live in a high-risk flood plain, you’ll likely need an overland flood endorsement on your policy, which can add to the cost of coverage.
- Property age: Older homes may have outdated wiring capable of causing house fires, aging plumbing prone to water damage, and a lack of modern security and safety systems. You can mitigate some of these risks with renovations and upgrades, but older homes will still typically carry higher premiums.
- Local crime rates: Property crimes in Ottawa have already increased 28% in 2026, with inner-city neighborhoods and central entertainment districts tending to experience the highest proportion of incidents. Areas with higher crime rates may see higher home insurance costs.
Weigh the risks you’re finding against your assets and emergency savings. How heavily would you need to rely on insurance in a disaster? How comfortable are you taking on a higher level of risk in exchange for lower coverage and premiums?
When applying for home insurance quotes, you may be tempted to hold back or tweak information that has the potential to raise your rates, such as the age of your roof or the smoking status of household members. Never provide a property insurance company with inaccurate or incomplete information. This is considered insurance fraud and could void your coverage, cause future claims to be denied, or even incur legal penalties.
Step 3: Decide which coverage and endorsements you need
Standard home insurance for Ottawa homeowners includes coverage for your dwelling, private structures, contents, additional living expenses, and personal liability. You may also want to add optional coverage such as:
- Sewer backup coverage, overland water coverage, or an extended water damage package including both options
- Service line coverage
- Earthquake coverage
- Claim forgiveness (available only for homeowners with no claims history)
- Identity theft protection
- Legal expense coverage
- Home equipment breakdown coverage
A licensed insurance broker can help you review all available optional coverage and determine which types of coverage are appropriate for your home.
Step 4: Compare quotes and customize limits
You can request online home insurance quotes from individual insurers or through a platform like PolicyMe, which lets you compare rates from multiple companies with a single application.
Be sure to look at the amount of coverage included in each offer, not just the price tag. While all insurance providers will offer the same basic coverage, you’ll see different default limits, included endorsements, and available add-ons. A lower amount of coverage could save you money in the short term, but don’t discount the long-term benefits of a slightly more robust policy.
When you get home insurance quotes with PolicyMe, you’ll have access to a licensed advisor who can help you ensure you’re comparing the same coverage between companies.
Step 5: Lower your premium without sacrificing coverage
With home insurance rates continuing to climb year over year, smart savings strategies are essential for homeowners in Ottawa.
- Bundle multiple insurance products: If you own a car, buying home and auto insurance from the same provider can almost always save you money. Even if you’re happy with your current car insurance, it’s worth comparing bundled quotes to know your options.
- Avoid minor claims: Home insurance exists to be used, but filing insurance claims will raise your premiums. Treating your policy as a safety net for catastrophes and covering minor damage out of pocket can help you earn and keep a claims-free discount.
- Check your discount eligibility: Insurance companies frequently offer more discounts than they advertise publicly. Ask your insurance advisor for help maximizing your discounts.
- Fortify your home: Ask your insurance company about home upgrades, such as a monitored alarm system or impact-resistant shingles, that could reduce your premiums.
- Shop often: Request new Ottawa home insurance quotes every year to stay on top of pricing trends and make sure you’re still paying the best rate for a policy that meets all of your insurance needs.
How much is home insurance in Ottawa?
Ottawa’s average home insurance costs range from as low as $100–150/month for smaller, newer homes to $200–$300/month for older homes and properties located in dense urban neighbourhoods.
In general, if you own a standard home in Ottawa, you’re likely to see home insurance quotes ranging from $2,200–$3,600 per year.
Real home insurance quotes for four Ottawa properties (2026)
*Quote was requested for a first-time homeowner with no history of prior home insurance.
Why Ottawa homeowners may pay more for home insurance
On average, Ottawa homeowners pay less for homeowners insurance than residents of nearby cities like Toronto and Montreal. But some homeowners in Ottawa may see higher prices, and as the city’s climate risk climbs, it’s important to understand the unique factors that make Ottawa a challenging home insurance market:
- Extremely cold winters: Winter in Ottawa is significantly colder, snowier, and longer than in Toronto. Deep freezes and heavy snow can damage homes through burst pipes, spring runoff, and wear and tear on aging roofs. Not all of this damage is covered by home insurance, but some is, and the cost of claims passes on to insureds.
- Earthquake hotspot: The Ottawa Valley sits within the Western Quebec Seismic Zone, a moderately active earthquake zone that experiences earthquakes every five days on average. While most quakes are minor, some may be severe enough to cause structural damage to homes.
- Flash floods: Ottawa sits at the meeting point of three rivers and frequently experiences heavy rain and snowmelt, particularly in the spring. Homes with basements are particularly vulnerable to flash flooding, which can cause damage not covered by standard home insurance.
- Property crime: Ottawa’s non-violent crime index is higher than the Greater Toronto Area’s, making theft and vandalism serious concerns for some homeowners.
- Canada’s second Tornado Alley: Historically, the Prairies have seen most of Canada’s tornado activity, but experts say that’s changing. From 2017 to 2023, Ontario saw more tornadoes each year than Alberta or Saskatchewan, including destructive EF-2 and EF-3 storms.
If you own a home in Ottawa, it’s important to know the basics of weather preparedness to minimize threats to your property. You should know:
- How to inspect your home before a thunderstorm
- How to check that your sump pump is in working order
- How to prevent your pipes from freezing during severe cold
- How to secure furniture in your home in the event of an earthquake
- How to make sure your home is safe after a tornado
- How to use sandbags to prevent water entering your home during flash floods
What does home insurance in Ottawa cover?
Home insurance in Ottawa covers the cost to repair, replace, or rebuild your home and personal property if it’s damaged by a covered cause of loss (or peril). It also covers your personal liability if you’re found legally responsible for bodily injury or property damage to others.
Common coverage add-ons
- Sewer backup: Water damage caused by a backup from a public sewer or water line isn’t covered by standard insurance, but you can add back the coverage with a separate deductible.
- Overland water: Overland flood insurance covers water damage caused when water enters your home as the result of heavy rain or the overflow of a nearby body of water (such as the Ottawa River). Like sewer backup, this comes with a separate deductible.
- Extended water damage: Many carriers combine sewer backup and overland flood coverage into a single, more robust water damage endorsement.
- Scheduled personal property: For high-value items like jewellery, art, and sporting equipment, scheduled personal property riders can raise coverage limits to match the actual value of your belongings.
- Service line: If an underground service line (e.g., power and telecommunications lines, water pipes) breaks on your property, this endorsement helps to cover excavation, repair, and cleanup costs.
- Equipment breakdown: This endorsement covers certain types of mechanical failure of your home equipment and electronics. This may be a worthwhile investment, especially if your home relies on smart equipment or high-value systems like a wine room.
Covered and excluded causes of loss
Home insurance is designed to cover damage to your home and property that is both sudden and unexpected. Fire insurance is the basis of all home insurance policies, but a range of weather and other common causes of loss (known in the insurance industry as perils) are included in standard coverage.
Some perils are never covered by home insurance. Others, such as sewer backup and earthquake, aren’t covered by standard policies but can be covered if you add an endorsement to your policy.
FAQ: Home insurance in Ottawa
This article is for general information only and is not insurance or legal advice. Examples and any sample quotes or rate ranges are illustrative and do not constitute an offer or guarantee of coverage, price, or eligibility. Actual coverage, discounts, and premiums depend on your individual circumstances and the insurer provider; if there is any discrepancy, your policy and insurer documentation govern. For advice about your situation, speak with one of our licensed insurance professionals.