Author: Jean Boissonneault

Three insurers have declined you, your broker can’t find anyone to underwrite, and your record includes accidents, tickets, or lapses in coverage? You’re then part of Ontario’s residual market, the last-resort segment managed by the Facility Association. Here’s how it works — and, more importantly, how to get out in 3 years or less. What…

Three insurers have refused you, your broker can’t find coverage, your file accumulates accidents, traffic violations or coverage lapses? You then enter what’s called the Ontario residual market, a last resort managed by the Facility Association. Here’s how it works — and most importantly, how to get out in 3 years or less. What is…

The Ontario cottage — Muskoka, Kawartha, Georgian Bay, Haliburton — isn’t just a second home. To an insurer, it’s a totally different risk from a primary residence: seasonal occupancy, freeze/thaw, exposed dock, off-season theft. Average annual premium: $900 to $2,800 depending on region and value. Here’s how to structure your policy. Secondary residence vs seasonal:…

The Ontario cottage — Muskoka, Kawartha, Georgian Bay, Haliburton — is not just a secondary residence. In an insurer’s eyes, it’s a risk completely different from a primary home: seasonal occupancy, freeze/thaw damage, exposed dock, off-season break-ins. Average annual premium: $900 to $2,800 depending on region and value. Here’s how to structure your policy. Secondary…

Just signed your first offer on a house in Kingston, Guelph, or Barrie? Congratulations — you now have 30 to 60 days to arrange financing and deliver an insurance binder to the lender before closing. No binder, no closing. Here are the costly mistakes 4 in 10 first-time Ontario buyers still make. The insurance binder:…

You’ve just signed an offer on your first home in Kingston, Guelph, or Barrie? Congratulations — you now have 30 to 60 days to arrange your financing and obtain proof of home insurance to give to your lender before closing. Without an insurance binder, the transaction cannot proceed. Here are the costly mistakes that 4…

Driving for Uber on Friday nights, delivering DoorDash between shifts, or picking up a colleague through Facebook Ridesharing? Your personal Ontario auto policy does not cover you during those hours — unless you’ve added the specific endorsement. Here’s how rideshare insurance works in Ontario in 2026. What Uber and Lyft cover — and don’t Uber…

You drive for Uber on Friday nights, deliver for DoorDash between work shifts, or help a colleague via Facebook Ridesharing? Your personal Ontario auto insurance policy does not cover you during these hours — unless you’ve added the specific endorsement. Here’s how rideshare insurance works in Ontario in 2026. What Uber and Lyft cover —…

Toronto has been hit by two major urban floods since 2013 — the July 2013 storm alone generated $940 million in claims, the costliest natural catastrophe in Ontario’s history. The result: sewer backup and overland water are no longer « extras » — they’re coverages a broker insists on adding to every Ontario home policy. Sewer backup,…

Toronto has experienced two major urban floods since 2013 — the July 2013 flooding alone generated $940 million in claims, making it the costliest natural disaster in Ontario’s history. Result: sewer backup and surface water flooding are no longer « extras, » but coverages that an insurance broker insists on adding to every home insurance policy in…

Since January 1, 2016, every auto insurer licensed in Ontario must offer a winter tire discount. Ontario is the only Canadian province with this legislation. The average discount hits 5%, or roughly $90 to $130 a year for a typical Ontario driver. Here’s how to make sure you get it. What Ontario law actually says…

Since January 1, 2016, all auto insurers licensed in Ontario must offer a winter tire discount. It’s the only Canadian province to have legislated this. The average discount reaches 5%, or approximately $90 to $130 per year for a typical Ontario driver. Here’s how to ensure you qualify. What Ontario law says Section 227 of…