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Home insurance

Do you offer insurance outside Ontario?

We offer auto insurance in Ontario and Alberta, home insurance in Ontario, Alberta and BC, as well as numerous lifestyle insurance policies depending on your province.

*Note that you need a valid Ontario or Alberta driver’s licence to apply for auto insurance through Onlia.

Can you insure my cottage?

You bet! We offer insurance for seasonal homes like cottages.

Do I need insurance if I rent?

It’s not mandatory, but many landlords require that you have it.

Having tenant’s insurance can cover your personal property if it’s damaged or stolen. Even if your landlord has home insurance, their coverage won’t extend to your stuff, which means that if your apartment gets flooded and your electronics and furniture are damaged, you’re on your own.

Tenant’s insurance also covers living expenses if something happens to your place and you can’t live in it until it’s repaired, and it’ll cover you for liabilities.

Why should I get home insurance?

Home insurance helps you safeguard the investment you’ve made in your home, whether you own or rent. If something ever happens to it, or your belongings, home insurance can cover the cost to get your life back on track.

Home insurance isn’t mandatory in Ontario, but most financial institutions require that you have it before you can get a mortgage. Some landlords also require that tenants show proof of home insurance before providing a lease.

I'm a landlord, can you insure my property?

Our sister company, aha Insurance offers landlord insurance. You can get a quote here: ahainsurance.ca

Why am I not eligible for Onlia home insurance?

​Give us a call at 1-844-472-7905 and we'll try to find the best option for you.

That being said, there are certain situations where we can’t offer insurance for people. This can be due to numerous factors, including where the home is located, or how many home insurance claims have been made in the past.

Do you offer renter's insurance?

Tenant insurance is available for those renting their home. It covers your belongings in case they’re damaged or stolen at home, or someplace else.

If you're new to Onlia, start a quote for home insurance.

For existing customers, you can navigate to the Change Requests tab in your account, select Home, and then select Add a property.

What is business use at home?

Business use refers to any regular or occasional activity conducted in your home for financial gain. This can include a trade, profession, or occupation.

How do I get a quote?

With Onlia you can easily get an insurance quote online. Just answer some questions and you'll get a price right away.

Some situations will require you to speak to an Onlia insurance broker team member, but otherwise you can get an insurance quote and policy anytime online.

If you have an Onlia account, and looking to add a product, ensure you are signed in or give us a ring at 1 844-472-7905.

How do I confirm my quote?

Once you get your quote, head to checkout. Your final price could change once all the final checks are done with your carrier.

I can't find my home address.

The addresses we have available are acquired from Canada Post records. Sometimes we’re unable to find addresses, make sure you’re entering your address properly and check again.If the address still isn't showing, just give us a call at 1 844-472-7905.

Please keep in mind that you need to have a valid mailing address. A P.O. Box is a legitimate mailing address.

Why do you want to do a credit check?

Running a soft credit check helps us provide the lowest quote we can. The check is instant and does not affect your credit score.

By consenting, you’ll be eligible to receive a discount of up to 50% on your premium. The exact percentage is determined by your credit score

You have to call brokerage to get a quote if you don’t consent.

Can I buy Onlia home insurance through a broker?

You can't buy Onlia insurance through a broker. We set up our insurance to be easy to purchase and manage online.

If you're a new customer, click here to start your quote.

If you're an existing Onlia customer, you can add a vehicle or home in My Account.

I live in an apartment inside a house. What property type do I select?

If you live in a unit inside a house, select Renters as your property type.

What if I only rent one room in a house?

Give us a call at 1-844-472-7905 and we'll find the best option for you.

What if I rent the basement in a house?

If you rent the basement in a house, select Renters as your property type when you’re getting a quote.

Can I get temporary insurance?

We don’t offer temporary insurance, and our policies are usually one year long. If you cancel your policy midterm with us, you may be subject to a short rate cancellation fee.

Do I need extra coverage for valuables?

Depending on the what the high valued item is, we might be able to increase your coverage with some additional documents. Call us at 1 844-472-7905 to speak with a broker.

Do I need insurance if I rent?

It’s not mandatory, but many landlords require that you have it.

Having tenant’s insurance can cover your personal property if it’s damaged or stolen. Even if your landlord has home insurance, their coverage won’t extend to your stuff, which means that if your apartment gets flooded and your electronics and furniture are damaged, you’re on your own.

Tenant’s insurance also covers living expenses if something happens to your place and you can’t live in it until it’s repaired, and it’ll cover you for liabilities.

Why should I get home insurance?

Home insurance helps you safeguard the investment you’ve made in your home, whether you own or rent. If something ever happens to it, or your belongings, home insurance can cover the cost to get your life back on track.

Home insurance isn’t mandatory in Ontario, but most financial institutions require that you have it before you can get a mortgage. Some landlords also require that tenants show proof of home insurance before providing a lease.

Why do I need liability coverage in my home insurance?

If you get sued (knock on wood), claims can easily exceed millions of dollars in expenses – that’s where liability coverage comes in. It will reduce the risk of having to pay out of pocket.

What other coverages do you offer?

Onlia insurance will work with you each step of the way. Whether you’re online or working with a broker, we use your postal code and our insurance-to-value estimator to consider many factors about your property, including its construction, size, and location. We also consider other factors, like if you have a pool, finished basement or business activities on your property.

What do the coverage percentages mean?

 Believe it or not, the selling price of your home isn’t really related to its insurance value. Your insurance policy doesn’t factor in the cost of the land your home is built on, but rather it’s designed to cover the costs associated with rebuilding your home after a major or total loss (like a fire). In addition to reconstruction costs, your insurance policy covers the teardown, removal, and disposal of debris. If your home is older, the builders may incur extra costs bringing the rebuilt structure up to current building codes.

What is guaranteed replacement cost?

Guaranteed replacement cost coverage means that we will cover the building replacement cost, even if it exceeds your policy’s limits.

What does “all perils” mean?

A peril is an event or circumstance that causes or may cause a loss.

An insurance policy that covers “all perils” would cover all events that may cause a loss, except for those specifically excluded from your policy.

To find your policy exclusions, view your policy in your account, navigate to Risks and Policies, and select the policy document you wish to view.

What coverage do I get with Onlia home insurance?

With your Onlia secondary or seasonal home policy, you’ll get premium coverages and features, including:

• Home and Detached Structures - This covers your home or any other structures on your property that get damaged.
• Personal Property - Your valuables will be covered if they’re stolen or damaged in your home, or anywhere else.
• Personal Liability - This includes legal protection if someone is injured on your property, or if their property is damaged. It’ll also cover anyone in your household that’s affected.
• Home Improvements - We’ll cover any improvements you make to your home, like an upgraded kitchen.
• Home Sharing - You’ll be covered if you rent out your home – or a part of it – on a short-term basis.
• Guaranteed Replacement Cost - We’ll pay to repair or rebuild your home, even if it exceeds your policy's limits.
• Inflation Protection - We’ll increase the limits of insurance to match the rate of inflation.

Additional living expenses, identity theft, and legal assistance are not covered under the secondary or seasonal home policy.

Can I increase my coverage for high-value items?

No, sorry. Your personal property coverage for secondary/seasonal homes includes a maximum of $2,500, per item category. It's currently not possible to increase the coverage per high-value item.

Do you offer earthquake coverage?

Some of our carriers can provide an optional earthquake coverage. Contact us to confirm if you have this coverage, or if you'd like to purchase it.

How do I customize my coverages?

Sign into your account, and navigate to the Change Requests tab. Select the type of policy you want to manage (auto or home), then select "Manage my coverage".

Do you provide coverage for wind/hail storms?

We provide coverage for your home for windstorms or hail, including loss or damage caused by the weight of ice, snow, or sleet.

Do I need to inform my insurance if I own a pet?

For your basic, garden-variety dog or cat, generally no, although we may want to know what kind of dog it is. However, if you have any exotic pets or farm animals, or you’re operating a home-based business, then we need to know. Animals are great, but they can pose a risk to your home or business. Not sure about your furry friend? Call us at 1 844-472-7905.

How do I customize my coverages?

Sign into your account and navigate to the Change Requests tab. From there, select Home and then Manage My Coverage.

How much coverage do I need as a tenant?

The evaluation for tenants coverage is based on the value of all your contents up to $200,000. A single policy covers the replacement cost for Personal Property (contents) and Tenant Improvements and Betterments. Contents insurance covers the cost to repair or replace clothes and most household items. Even if you think your belongings have little value, the cost of replacing everything at once adds up.

Can you provide an insurance quote for me?

At Onlia, we've put everything online so that you can easily get a quote and buy insurance through the Onlia website. If you'd prefer to kick it old school and speak to a broker instead, you can call us at 1 844-472-7905. If you're an existing customer, you can log into your account to add a new policy to your existing ones, or give us a call and we can sort you out.

If you're a new customer, click here to start your quote.

How do I purchase my policy?

With Onlia, you can do everything online, from getting a quote to purchasing your policy.Some situations will require you to speak to an Onlia insurance broker team, but otherwise you can get an insurance quote and policy anytime online.

If you have an Onlia account, and looking to add a product, ensure you are signed into your account or give us a ring at 1 844-472-7905.

Can I buy a policy for someone else?

Only the registered owner(s) of either the home or car can purchase insurance for that item. Insurance is a legal contract, and unfortunately, you can not agree to a contract on behalf of someone else. This ensures that if something happens where a claim needs to be filed, the right people are getting the help they need.

Can I buy a policy and be covered the same day?

The earliest you can start a policy is tomorrow.

You can buy insurance up to 30 days in advance.

Can you cancel my insurance policy with another company?

Unfortunately, we can’t cancel a policy with another company for you. Like buying a policy, only the policy owner can do that.

I've submitted my order. What now?

After you finish your quote and submit your order, you’ll receive a welcome email. If you don’t see an email arrive from us to the primary email address you listed on your account, be sure to double-check your junk/spam folder. If not, contact us and we’ll get to the bottom of it.

Where can I see my policy?

Your policy and all important documentation can be viewed in your account. Simply log in, and navigate to the Risk and Policies tab. Select the policy you need documents for, and click to view.

Is there any paperwork to fill out to buy a policy?

We've made applying for and buying insurance an easy process that can be completed online or by giving us a call. By completing an application for insurance with us, you agree to all the legal rules and regulations that come with insurance policies in Ontario.

You can set up your insurance quickly, and when it's convenient for you 😊

I haven't received the email to confirm my purchase.

Check your spam/junk folder – the email might be hiding in there.

If not, or if you're experiencing issues activating your account, please contact us and we’ll get to the bottom of it!

I found a cheaper quote elsewhere. Is there anything you can do?

Unfortunately, we cannot provide a cheaper quote or price match with another insurance company. Car insurance is strictly regulated in Ontario; each insurer is required to file the rates they charge with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA). This means there can be no deviation in price unless this governing body approves.

When will my insurance take effect?

Effective dates can be as early as the next day and purchased up to 30 days in advance. Simply select the date that you want the coverage to take effect and confirm all the required steps in the process.

Will you cancel my old insurance company?

Unfortunately, we can’t cancel a policy with another company for you. Like buying a policy, only the policy owner can do that.

How do I add a second homeowner to my policy?

You can add another homeowner to your policy when you're getting a home quote.

If you already have a home policy, email us at support@onlia.ca, and we'll help you add a second homeowner.

Note that any immediate family members that you live with are automatically covered under your policy.

How long does it take to get approved for insurance?

For existing insurance customers, your new Onlia insurance policies can be effective as soon as the next business day.

My landlord or mortgage company is asking for proof of insurance

Your Confirmation of Insurance lists all the coverages on your policy. This should be sufficient for your landlord or to show to your mortgage company.

You can download your Confirmation of Insurance in your account:

Click Risks and Policies at the top of the page.
Find the policy you're looking for, and click Confirmation of Insurance to download. 

Please note that we do not directly contact landlords or mortgage companies due to privacy and security reasons.

I keep getting an error message. What do I do?

We’re sorry you’re not getting to where you need to be! Email us at support@onlia.ca with details about what you're experiencing and we'll provide you with a solution ASAP.

Please include this information:

• Which web browser you’re using

• Device type (iPhone or Android, PC or Mac)

• What step you're on (e.g. entering your driver's licence, payment, etc.)

• A screenshot of the error message

How do I purchase my policy?

With Onlia, you can do everything online, from getting a quote to purchasing your policy. You can get started with a quote here.

Some situations will require you to speak to an Onlia insurance broker team, but otherwise you can get an insurance quote and policy anytime online.If you have an Onlia account, and looking to add a product, ensure you are signed into your account or give us a ring at 1 844-472-7905.

How does your daily premium structure work?

Our daily premium structure is the first of its kind in Canada. With Onlia, you'll pay only for the exact number of days you have insurance in a month (rather than paying a monthly average, or an entire year upfront).

For example, let's say your premium works out to be $5 a day:

• $5 a day x 31 days = $ 155 a month

• $5 a day x 30 days = $ 150 a month

Most months are 31 days, so we quote you for that number. You'll pay a little less in shorter months. Payments are withdrawn every month on the 10th.

Every dollar counts, right?! 😉

How do you calculate my price for home insurance?

Several variables come into play when calculating your home insurance premium.

The most important ones include your postal code, the age of your home, building type, and structural details like the number of storeys, kitchens, and bathrooms in your home.

We’ll use these details to help predict the likelihood of damage caused by things like water, fire, wind/hail, and crime.

Do I get a discount for bundling my car and home insurance?

Onlia offers a bundle discount of up to 50% on home insurance, and 15% on car insurance.

Is tax included in my price?

Any applicable taxes are included in the price you’re quoted for.

No tax is applied to car insurance. An 8% provincial tax is applied to home insurance.

What discounts can I get on home insurance?

Here are Onlia's available discounts for homeowners, tenants, and condos on existing accounts:

Home & Auto Bundle (up to 50% for home and up to 15% for auto)
Insure your car and home with Onlia under the same account.

Credit Score
Get a discount on your premium when you consent to a credit check when adding a home product to your account. The higher your score, the more your premium will be discounted. This is a "soft" credit check and has no impact on your credit score. You'll never be charged more because of your credit score -- you can only save!

Monitored Alarm System
Protect your home with an alarm system that's monitored by a home security service or company. 

Mortgage-Free 
Applicable for customers who own the insured property outright. This discount is available for homeowner insurance only. 

Discounts you qualify for are automatically applied to your total premium.

My rate is lower than expected. Why?

Did you find a great insurance price? That’s awesome! The price you see is the price you pay – there are no catches or extra fees.

The rates for insurance we can offer are regulated and approved by the provincial government. Your price is based on several factors. Where you live, what kind of car or home you have, and your insurance history – these are a few important details in calculating your price.

How do discounts work?

Our online customer journey will automatically provide you with all of the applicable discounts and savings. The discounts and premium shown are based on your answers, your assets and your levels of coverage. Doesn’t control feel great?

What does single limit mean?

This section of the policy provides insurance for your Dwelling, Detached Private Structures, Personal Property, and Additional Living Expense under a single amount of insurance. You will find this single amount of insurance shown on the Coverage Summary under Amount of Insurance. This is the maximum amount we will pay in any one occurrence for loss or damage under one or more of the coverages provided under this section.

How are my tenant premiums calculated?

Unlike home insurance, which covers the property itself, tenant insurance is based on the contents of your property. When it comes to property insurance, your premium is affected by some key underwriting variables:

• Postal code and street address
• Valuation of contents
• Hydrant protection (fire hydrant, firehall or unprotected)
• Construction type, size, and age of property, including any upgrades to the roof, plumbing, heating or electricity

What is covered by my home insurance?

When you have home insurance with Onlia, you’re covered for almost any type of damage to your home. The building, its contents, alternate accommodation, and liability are all covered – this includes your possessions when you’re travelling anywhere in the world.

Pretty awesome, right? We cover these types of damage to your home:

• Fire
• Lightning
• Explosions
• Smoke
• Water damage
• Wind and hail
• Riot
• Vandalism
• Falling objects
• Damage caused by vehicles, like cars, aircraft, and watercraft. 

For secondary or seasonal homes, the same rules apply, but the coverage amount is a cash limit instead of a percentage based on the total value of the home.

Are my spouse/children/significant others covered?

Any children in your custody will be covered under your policy, along with any immediate family members who live with you.

Is my outdoor property covered?

Your coverage includes things like outdoor trees, plants, shrubs, lawns, permanently installed outdoor equipment, outdoor furniture, BBQ, and outdoor swimming pools.

Is my self-storage unit covered?

If you’ve stored items in a unit on the grounds of your condo building, then you’ll be covered for the contents up to your policy limits.

However, belongings in an off-site storage facility are only covered for a certain number of days, depending on your carrier – you’ll need to purchase insurance from the facility for coverage beyond that.

Does my home insurance cover identity theft?

If you or someone in your household is a victim of identity theft, your primary home insurance will cover the costs associated with recovering data and important documents.

What does my tenant insurance cover?

Your belongings will be protected if they’re ever stolen or damaged. You’ll also have liability coverage if a visitor is injured on the premises.

Is my roommate covered?

Your policy only covers your stuff, unless you added your roommate to your policy when you purchased it.

Am I covered if something gets stolen outside of my home?

Items that are temporarily away from your home anywhere in the world are covered up to a value with your standard coverage. 

Note that belongings in a storage facility are only covered for a certain number of days, depending on your carrier – you’ll need to purchase insurance from the facility for coverage beyond that.

I can't live in my home, and need alternative accommodation. Does my home insurance cover this?

If something happens to your home that’s covered under your policy and you can’t live in it for the duration of the claim process, we’ll pay for alternate accommodations and living expenses until it’s repaired or rebuilt. For landlords, it’s the loss of net rental income.

Note: This doesn’t apply to seasonal homes (e.g., your cottage).

Is my stuff covered when I'm travelling? (e.g. luggage)

Items that are temporarily away from your home anywhere in the world are covered by your home insurance policy. 

One less thing to worry about on your trip – what’s not to love?

Is business use at home covered?

Business use at home is covered as long as your home-based business is an approved office, sales, or crafts business. For example, an accounting firm, a barbershop, or a pottery studio.

Is legal assistance covered?

Your primary home insurance policy covers legal assistance. Contact us at 1-844-472-7901 and we’ll connect you with legal counsel specializing in your situation. We can point you in the right direction if you’re looking for advice regarding:

• Identity theft

• Consumer agreements

• Landlord and tenants

• Employment

• Real estate

• Criminal law

• Wills and estates

• Family law

• Civil litigation

• Immigration

• Taxation

Do I need extra coverage for valuables?

Depending on the what the high valued item is, we might be able to increase your coverage with some additional documents. Call us at 1 844-472-7905 to speak with a broker.

Does my home insurance cover flooding?

Our sewer backup coverage pays for damage caused to the storm drain, eavestrough, downspout, septic system or sump. This is optional coverage, but it’s included by default when you get a home insurance quote.

To find your policy limits, see your Confirmation of Property Insurance in your account, under Risks and Policies.

If you’re a property owner, water damage due to plumbing issues (like a burst pipe) falls under Home and Detached Structures coverage.

I'm renting out my home. Will I still be covered?

If you’ll be renting out your home, notify us and switch your coverage to a cottage and landlord policy. A cottage and landlord policy will protect your home if the actual structure is damaged.

Your policy won’t protect your tenants against liability or personal loss. Depending on where you live, you can make it a requirement that your tenant(s) have their own insurance to cover their belongings.

I'm a student away at school. Is my stuff covered?

When you’ve got insurance with us, you can keep your mind on your studies, and not on your stuff.

If you’re attending a school, university, or college and are temporarily away from home, your stuff will still be covered.

My home is under renovation. Is it still covered?

Renovations are definitely one of the circumstances that require you to update your home insurance policy. We offer a builders risk endorsement to be added to your policy. Before construction starts, call an Onlia insurance broker to review your renovation project and requirements for the best insurance solution.

Also call us if:

• You’ve started a home-based business
• Finished your basement or added a pool
• Your home is vacant or unoccupied for a period of time
• You’ve acquired some valuable belongings and would like to review your policy limits
• Any of your renovations are valued at over $10,000 – this would require a new evaluation on the property to make sure it’s properly insured to value

Do you cover wood stoves?

Your woodstove is covered, unless it is the primary source of heat for your home.

Will you cover damage to my roof?

We’ll cover losses to the roof of your dwelling, and detached private structures, based on the depreciated replacement cost, up to your policy limits.

Do you provide coverage for wind/hail storms?

We provide coverage for your home for windstorms or hail, including loss or damage caused by the weight of ice, snow, or sleet.

How long can I leave my house?

Whether you’re taking off for a weekend getaway or a week’s vacation before you leave, you always want to make sure:

• Doors and windows are shut and locked
• Gates to the backyard are closed
• All faucets and water sources are shut off
• Big electronic items are unplugged

If you’re gone for more than four (consecutive) days during a season when you would normally heat your home, insurance companies may not cover any loss or damage if any part of a plumbing, heating, or air conditioning system freezes.
Take the following precautions:

• Have someone you trust to visit your place to maintain the heating for each day you’re gone
• Shut off the water supply and drain all the pipes, as well as any domestic water containers”
• Have your heating system connected by a monitored alarm to a 24-hour service station
• Whenever you’re planning a trip, it’s best to double-check the terms of your policy to make sure you’ve got enough coverage.

Where can I find my coverage limits?

Your coverage details, limits, and policy documents can be conveniently viewed in your account. Simply log in and navigate to Risks and Policies, and select the policy you want to view details of.

What does my condo corporation cover?

Your condo corporation’s insurance policy only covers items that are originally part of the building and its common areas like walls, roofs, floors, elevators, swimming pools and any associated out buildings. That’s why it’s important to get condo insurance, which is designed to cover:

• Your personal liability, should someone hurt themselves while visiting your home
• Any investments you’ve made to upgrade the unit
• Your shared responsibility of common areas
• Your condo unit, in case your condo corporation’s insurance doesn’t cover your loss fully