Why Use an Insurance Broker for Your Home Insurance?
Expert Guidance, Freedom to Choose, Zero Extra Fees
Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: insurance agents work for one company. Our team? We work for you.
When Sarah from Port Perry called us last month, she’d been with the same insurer for 15 years. Never shopped around. Never questioned her coverage. Turns out, she was paying 30% more than she needed to, and her insurance policy had a massive gap in water damage protection. (A pretty important detail when you live in this province, right?)
As independent experts, we represent your interests, not those of the insurance providers. We dig into multiple top Canadian insurance providers to find you options that make sense for your situation and your home. And when you need to make a change or file an insurance claim, we’re the ones fighting for you, not against you.
Our team holds licensing through RIBO (Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario), which means we’re not just some random person selling policies. We’re required to keep up with ongoing education and industry changes. Translation: We know what we’re talking about when it comes to your homeowners insurance in Ontario.
What Should Your Homeowners' Insurance Policy Include?
Comprehensive Protection for Your Property, Belongings, and Liability
- Dwelling & Structure Coverage - This covers your house and anything attached to it (like your deck or garage). Basically, if it's permanently part of your property, it's covered.
- Contents Coverage - All your stuff inside the house. Your furniture, electronics, clothes, that vintage vinyl collection you're oddly proud of. If someone breaks in or a fire happens, this coverage helps replace your belongings.
- Personal Liability - This is huge. If someone gets hurt on your property, maybe they slip on your icy driveway or your dog gets too friendly with the mailman, liability coverage protects you from potential lawsuits.
- Additional Living Expenses - If your home becomes temporarily uninhabitable (fire, flood, whatever), this part of your insurance covers your hotel, restaurant meals, and other living costs while repairs happen.
Most people focus on the dwelling coverage and forget about liability. Big mistake. According to recent industry data, liability situations in the province averaged $47,000 in 2023. That’s not pocket change, and having the right insurance is critical.
Add-On Insurance Coverage for Your Home
Extra Coverage Optimized for Local Hazards
A standard homeowners insurance policy might not cover everything, which is why tailored insurance add-ons are crucial.
- High-Value Personal Property Endorsements - Got expensive jewelry, art, or electronics? Standard content coverage has limits. These endorsements bump up protection for specific valuable items, ensuring your insurance reflects their true worth.
- Identity Theft and Cyber Coverage - Yeah, this is a thing now. Identity theft coverage can help with legal fees and restoration costs if someone steals your identity.
- Optional Legal Defence Coverage - For when life gets complicated and you need legal help related to your property.
The key is matching coverage to your actual risks, not just buying a generic plan.
How Brokers Optimize Your Home Insurance Premium
Personalized Pricing Strategy With Zero Hidden Costs
Insurance pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your insurance premium depends on your building type, location, age of the home, local crime rates, and flood risk. Even your credit score can affect pricing in some cases.
Here’s how we approach it: we analyze your specific situation and find the sweet spot between coverage and cost. Maybe you’re comfortable with a higher deductible to lower your monthly insurance premiums. Or perhaps bundling your home and auto insurance coverage saves you 15% (which it often does).
And here’s the best part, we get paid through commissions from the insurance providers we partner with, not from you. So our expert service costs you exactly zero extra dollars to get a better insurance policy.
Last year, we helped a couple in Oshawa save $800 annually just by switching carriers and adjusting their deductible. Same coverage, better price. That’s the power of shopping the market for your home insurance.
Why Roughley Brokers Stands Out
Local Knowledge, Personal Service, Expert Advocacy
We’re not some faceless call center. We’re your neighbours, licensed and local in Durham Region with offices in Oshawa, Bowmanville, and Port Perry.
When you call us, you’re talking to real people who understand the local insurance landscape. We know which areas are prone to flooding, which insurers are best for an older Ontario home, and how to navigate the process when things go sideways.
Client-first focus means we actually review your home and needs comprehensively. We provide a complete insurance review, not just “here’s a quote, take it or leave it.” We dig into the details of your policy because that’s where the important stuff hides.
Is a Broker Right for Your Home Insurance Needs?
Ideal for Homeowners Managing Risk & Complexity
This level of service isn’t for everyone. If you want basic coverage and don’t care about optimizing costs or understanding your policy, a direct insurance policy might work fine for a home.
But if you’re someone with a home in a flood-prone area, valuable possessions, multiple properties, or you just want tailored advice and ongoing support, that’s where we shine. The right home insurance protects your biggest investment.
We had a landlord client who owned three rental properties. Managing the insurance for all three separately was a nightmare. We consolidated everything, saved them money, and now they have one point of contact for all their insurance needs.
Don’t settle for cookie-cutter policies. Get tailored protection from licensed experts.
Broker-Driven Quote Process Explained
Streamlined Steps, Big Savings Without the Hassle
Our process isn’t complicated:
- Share your details - Home type, location, coverage needs, any specific concerns.
- We do the legwork - Fetch and compare quote options from multiple insurance carriers.
- Review together - We explain options clearly and make recommendations based on your situation.
- Choose and finalize - Pick your policy, get everything set up, and sleep better at night.
The whole thing usually takes 30-45 minutes. Compare that to spending hours calling different insurers individually to get a quote (and probably still missing some options).
Home Insurance Questions, Answered
Is home insurance mandatory in this province? Legally?
No. Practically? If you have a mortgage, your lender requires it. And honestly, even if you own your home outright, going without insurance is like driving without a seatbelt, technically possible, but not smart.
What's the difference between your role and an agent's?
Agents work for one insurance company. We work for you and can access multiple insurers. It’s like having a personal shopper versus being stuck with one store.
Does my policy include water or sewer damage coverage?
Maybe. Your specific insurance policy might not include it, as many policies exclude sewer backup and overland flooding. This is why reading your policy (or having us explain it) matters.
How do I bundle home and auto insurance coverage? Can I save?
Usually, yes. Most insurers offer multi-policy discounts ranging from 5-25%. We can show you exact numbers based on your situation.
Bundle Your Insurance for a Better Home Policy
Simplicity, Savings & Policy Integration
Bundling isn’t just about saving money (though you typically will). It’s about simplicity. One renewal date, one point of contact, one relationship to manage for all your insurance needs.
Plus, if you need to make changes or file an insurance claim, having everything with one advisor makes life easier. We recently handled a client’s auto accident and home water damage issue simultaneously, and streamlined everything through one process. This is a major benefit of having a comprehensive insurance relationship.
Ready to Work with an Expert?
Get a Tailored Homeowners Insurance Quote
Look, insurance isn’t exactly thrilling. But having the right coverage when you need it? That’s peace of mind you can’t put a price on.
Whether you’re buying your first home, switching from another insurance broker, or just want to make sure you’re properly protected, we’re here to help you get the right home insurance policy.
Licensed through RIBO | 70+ years serving Ontario homeowners | Rated 4.8 stars on Google
Get a Quote
We’ll find you the right coverage.
Roughley commercial clients may qualify for special discounts on your home & auto.
Connect in Oshawa
- 1000 Simcoe Street North Oshawa, Ontario L1G 4W4
- 905.576.7770
- insure@roughleyinsurance.com
Contact in Bowmanville
- 31 King Street West Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 1R2
- 905.697.4257
- insurebowmanville@roughleyinsurance.com
