Insights & Resources
Insurance tips, industry updates, and helpful guides from our team of experienced brokers.
68 articles
The Ultimate Guide to Engineering Insurance in Ontario
PEO sets baseline insurance requirements for engineering firms, but most projects demand far more. This guide covers how engineering E&O works, how coverage differs by discipline, and the gaps that catch firms off guard.
Why Working with an Independent Insurance Broker Matters
As private equity reshapes Canadian insurance, truly independent brokerages offer something consolidators cannot: unbiased advocacy, personal service, and real community roots. Here is why it matters for your coverage.
Surety Bond Cost in Ontario: A Contractor's Pricing Guide
Surety bond premiums in Ontario typically range from 0.5% to 3% of the contract value for qualified contractors, plus an annual administration fee of $1,500 to $2,500. Here is what drives your rate and how to position yourself for the best pricing.
Surety Bond vs Letter of Credit: Which Protects You Better?
Both surety bonds and letters of credit guarantee construction obligations, but they protect you in fundamentally different ways. Here is what Ontario contractors need to know about coverage depth, cash flow impact, claims fairness, and the law.
Surety Bond vs Insurance: Key Differences for Contractors
They both involve premiums, underwriting, and financial protection — but a surety bond is not an insurance policy. Understanding the structural differences between these two financial instruments can save Ontario contractors from costly surprises when a claim hits.
Performance Bond vs Letter of Credit: Which Protects Your Project?
A performance bond guarantees project completion and protects your borrowing capacity. A letter of credit freezes your cash and pays out on demand with no investigation. Here is how Ontario contractors should choose between them.
Bid Bond vs Performance Bond: How They Work on Ontario Projects
Bid bonds and performance bonds serve different purposes at different stages of a construction project. Understanding the distinction, and how one leads to the other, is essential for any Ontario contractor pursuing public or bonded private work.
Performance Bond vs Payment Bond: What Ontario Contractors Know
Performance bonds protect project owners from contractor default. Labour and material payment bonds protect subcontractors and suppliers from non-payment. Ontario law requires both on public contracts over $500,000. Here is a complete breakdown for contractors and project owners.
Surety Underwriting: What Underwriters Look For and How to Get Approved
Surety underwriting is not insurance underwriting. A surety company expects zero losses and full repayment if a claim occurs. Here is what underwriters actually evaluate, why the Three Cs matter, and how Ontario contractors can position themselves for faster approvals and higher bonding limits.
Bank Guarantee Canada: Types, Costs, and How to Apply
Bank guarantees cost Canadian businesses 0.5% to 3% of the guarantee amount annually and typically require collateral. For many Ontario contractors, a surety bond offers better cash flow and lower upfront security requirements. Here is how both instruments work and when to use each one.
Fidelity Bond vs Surety Bond: Key Differences for Businesses
Fidelity bonds and surety bonds sound similar but serve completely different purposes. One protects your business from employee theft; the other guarantees your obligations to third parties. Here is what Ontario businesses need to know — including the fact that traditional fidelity bonds have largely been replaced by commercial crime insurance in Canada.
How to Get Bonded as a Contractor in Ontario: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting bonded opens doors to public contracts and larger private projects. Here's exactly what Ontario contractors need to get approved and how to build bonding capacity over time.
Commercial Surety Bonds in Canada: Types, Costs, and How They Work
Commercial surety bonds guarantee that a business or individual will meet a legal or regulatory obligation. Unlike contract bonds used in construction, commercial surety covers everything from professional licences and customs duties to estate administration and lost financial documents. Here is what Canadian businesses need to know.
Surety Bonds Explained: How the Three-Party Guarantee Works in Canada
A surety bond is not insurance. It is a three-party financial guarantee where a surety company backs your promise to perform. Here is how bonding works in Canada, what it costs, and how Ontario contractors get approved.
Types of Construction Bonds in Canada: A Contractor's Guide
Construction bonds are mandatory on Ontario public contracts over $500,000 — and increasingly common on private projects too. Here's what every contractor and project owner should know about bid bonds, performance bonds, labour & material payment bonds, and how to get bonded.
No-Fault Insurance in Ontario: What It Actually Means and How It Protects You
Ontario's no-fault system does not mean nobody is at fault. It means you file your claim with your own insurer for faster benefits, while fault is still assigned for premiums and lawsuits. Here is how the system actually works, what it covers, and the major changes arriving July 2026.
OPCF 43: How Ontario's Waiver of Depreciation Protects New Cars
A new car can lose 20-30% of its value in the first year alone. OPCF 43 ensures your insurer pays full replacement cost instead of depreciated value if your vehicle is totalled or stolen. Here is everything Ontario drivers need to know about this endorsement.
Why an Independent Insurance Broker Still Matters in Ontario
With more Ontario brokerages being absorbed by insurers and private equity, genuine independence is harder to find. Here is what an independent broker actually does for you, how RIBO protects your interests, and why it matters more than ever heading into Ontario's 2026 auto insurance reforms.
General Liability vs Professional Liability in Ontario: Key Differences
A customer slips on your floor and breaks a wrist. Your engineering design contains a calculation error that costs a client $200,000. These are fundamentally different risks, and they require fundamentally different insurance policies. Here's how to tell them apart.
Does Home Insurance Cover Roof Leaks? What's Covered in Ontario
A windstorm rips shingles off your roof and rain pours in. A February ice dam sends water streaming down your bedroom wall. Your 25-year-old roof starts leaking during a routine spring rain. One of these claims gets paid. One is a grey area. One gets denied. Here's how Ontario home insurance actually handles roof leaks.
Roughley Insurance Opens Port Perry Office in North Durham
After nearly eight decades serving Durham Region from Oshawa and Bowmanville, Roughley Insurance Brokers opens its third office in the heart of Port Perry's historic downtown, bringing personalized insurance service to Scugog Township and North Durham.
Roughley Expands Commercial Insurance Portfolio for Ontario
With nearly 80 years serving Durham Region and beyond, Roughley Insurance Brokers is deepening its commercial insurance portfolio to give Ontario businesses faster quotes, broader coverage, and specialized programs most brokerages cannot offer.
OPCF 16: How Ontario's Suspension of Coverage Endorsement Works
OPCF 16 is Ontario's standardized endorsement for suspending driving-related coverages on a stored vehicle. Here's a broker's breakdown of what the form actually does, what coverage remains, and why the 45-day minimum matters more than most people realize.
Backpacks for Success: Supporting Durham Region Students
Every August, our team at Roughley Insurance rallies behind Simcoe Hall Settlement House's Backpack Program, helping ensure Durham Region students head back to school with the supplies they need. Here's the story behind a partnership that's been going strong for over 15 years.
Tenant Insurance in Ontario: Why Renters Need It and What It Covers
More than half of Canadian renters have no tenant insurance, leaving them exposed to thousands of dollars in potential losses from fire, theft, water damage, and liability claims. Here's what Ontario renters need to know about coverage, cost, and common misconceptions.
What Auto Insurance Coverage Do You Actually Need in Ontario?
Ontario law requires four types of auto insurance coverage, but the $200,000 liability minimum is widely considered dangerously inadequate. Here is what every driver needs to understand about mandatory coverage, smart optional add-ons, and the major SABS changes arriving in July 2026.
How to Reduce Auto Insurance Costs on an Older Car in Ontario
The average car on Canadian roads is over 10 years old. If your vehicle has depreciated past a certain point, you may be paying more for physical damage coverage than your car is worth. Here's how to right-size your auto insurance and keep more money in your pocket.
Impaired Driving and Your Insurance: What Ontario Drivers Need to Know
A single impaired driving conviction can push your Ontario auto insurance premiums from $2,000 a year to $8,000 or more. And it does not matter whether you were behind the wheel of a car, at the helm of a boat, or riding a snowmobile. Here is what you need to know about the insurance consequences.
Recreational Vehicle Insurance in Ontario: What You Actually Need
Ontario treats each recreational vehicle differently when it comes to insurance. Some require mandatory coverage by law, others do not. Here is a category-by-category breakdown of what you need before you ride, drive, or launch.
Does Home Insurance Cover Renovations in Ontario?
Your standard home insurance policy was designed for a finished, occupied house, not an active construction site. Here's what Ontario homeowners need to know about coverage gaps during renovations, the underinsurance trap that follows them, and how claims actually get handled when things go wrong mid-project.
Ontario Auto Theft Crisis: Protect Your Vehicle and Insurance
Auto theft in Ontario surged to crisis levels, with insurance claims topping $1.5 billion nationally in 2023 alone. Here is what Durham Region vehicle owners need to know about which cars are targeted, how modern thieves operate, and which insurance coverage actually protects you if your vehicle disappears from your driveway.
What Is an Insurance Broker? How Ontario Brokers Work for You
An insurance broker is a licensed professional who works for you, not an insurance company. In Ontario, brokers are regulated by RIBO and can shop your coverage across multiple insurers to find the right policy at the right price.
Escaping the Canadian Cold This Winter? Prepare Your Home First
Water damage is the leading cause of home insurance claims in Canada, and a single burst pipe while you are away can cost over $30,000 in repairs. Before you head south this winter, here is what your Ontario insurance policy actually requires to keep your coverage intact.
Is Collision Coverage Worth the Extra Cost?
Collision coverage is optional in Ontario, but dropping it is one of the most expensive gambles you can take. Here's how it works, what it costs, and when it makes sense to keep or drop it.
Home-Based Business Insurance: What Your Home Policy Won't Cover
Running a business from your Ontario home? Your standard homeowner's policy almost certainly excludes business-related claims. Here's what that means for your equipment, your liability exposure, and the surprisingly affordable ways to close the gap.
What Is Home Insurance? A Complete Guide for Ontario Homeowners
Home insurance protects your largest financial asset against fire, theft, liability claims, and more. Here is what every Ontario homeowner needs to know about coverage types, policy options, and common exclusions before signing a policy.
Cottage Rental Insurance: What Ontario Hosts Need for Airbnb
Renting your cottage on Airbnb or VRBO without telling your insurer is one of the fastest ways to void your policy. Here's what Ontario cottage owners actually need — from rental endorsements to $2 million liability coverage — before accepting a single booking.
Insurance for Remote Employees: What Ontario Employers Actually Need
Your employee's home insurance won't cover your business. If your team works remotely — even part-time — you likely have gaps in your commercial coverage for equipment, cyber liability, and workplace injuries. Here's what Ontario employers need to get right.
Hit and Run in Ontario: What to Do and How Insurance Works
A hit and run is stressful, but Ontario drivers have more protection than they realize. Here's exactly what to do at the scene, how your insurance responds, and which coverage gaps to close before it happens to you.
Personal Umbrella Insurance in Ontario: Low-Cost, High Protection
A single at-fault accident or a lawsuit from a slip on your property can blow past your home or auto liability limits in a hurry. A personal umbrella policy adds $1 million or more in extra protection for roughly what you spend on coffee each month. Here is how it works, what it costs, and who in Ontario should seriously consider one.
Vehicle Ownership and Insurance in Ontario: Why Registration Matters
Your vehicle registration and insurance policy must align — or your claim could be denied. Here's what every Ontario driver needs to know about ownership, registration, and keeping your coverage valid.
Climate Change and Rising Home Insurance Premiums in Ontario
Canada's insured weather losses hit $8.5 billion in 2024 alone — nearly triple the previous decade's annual average. Ontario homeowners are feeling it at renewal time, with premiums climbing over 7% year-over-year. Here's what's happening, what it means for your policy, and the practical steps you can take right now.
Winter Driving in Ontario: What Your Auto Insurance Covers
Sliding into a ditch on black ice doesn't change how Ontario determines fault. Here's what every driver needs to know about winter tire discounts, collision coverage, and how to protect yourself — and your premium — before the first snowfall.
Accident Benefits in Ontario: Your Complete Guide to SABS Coverage
Every Ontario auto insurance policy includes accident benefits — coverage that pays for your medical care, lost income, and support services after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. Here's what you're entitled to, how to claim it, and what's changing.
Does Your Business Have the Right Insurance Coverage?
Most Ontario business owners renew their commercial insurance on autopilot — same limits, same coverages, same broker conversation that takes five minutes. But your business changed this year, and your policy probably didn't keep up. Here's how to find the gaps before a claim does.
Personal Liability Insurance: How Much Do Ontario Homeowners Need?
Your home insurance includes personal liability coverage, but most Ontario homeowners are still carrying the old $1 million default. Here's why that number hasn't kept up with the cost of lawsuits — and what we recommend instead.
Water Damage and Home Insurance in Ontario: What's Covered
Water damage accounts for over 40% of home insurance claims in Canada, yet most Ontario homeowners don't realize their standard policy leaves major gaps. Here's what's actually covered, what needs endorsements, and what to do before the next storm hits.
Home Renovations and Insurance: What to Know Before You Start
Planning a kitchen gut, a basement finish, or a second-storey addition? Before the first sledgehammer swing, your insurance needs attention. Here's what Ontario homeowners need to know about renovation coverage gaps, contractor requirements, and the one phone call that could save your claim.
Spring Home Maintenance: 10 Tasks That Protect Your Coverage
Water damage accounts for roughly 40% of all home insurance claims in Canada, and a surprising number of those claims get denied because the damage traces back to deferred maintenance. Here is a 10-step spring checklist that protects both your home and your coverage.
What's Covered Under Your Home Insurance Policy?
Home insurance in Ontario covers your dwelling, your belongings, and your liability. But the gaps in a standard policy are where the expensive surprises hide. Here's what you actually need to know.
Why Insurance Costs Keep Rising in Ontario (And What You Can Do About It)
Between record catastrophe losses, an auto theft epidemic, and skyrocketing repair costs, Ontario insurance premiums have climbed sharply. We break down the real reasons behind the increases and share practical steps to keep your costs under control.
14 Proven Ways to Lower Your Auto Insurance Premium in Ontario
Ontario has some of the highest auto insurance premiums in the country, averaging around $1,900 per year. But most drivers are leaving money on the table. Here are 14 real strategies we use every day to help our clients pay less — without cutting the coverage they need.
Vehicle Emergency Kit: A Complete Ontario Driver's Checklist
A dead battery at minus 20. A flat tire on a rural highway with no cell signal. When a breakdown happens in Ontario, the supplies you carry in your trunk can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a dangerous situation. Here is every item your vehicle emergency kit needs.
What Does a Vacation Have to Do With Your Auto Insurance?
Planning a road trip to Florida, a weekend in Montreal, or leaving your car parked while you fly south? Your Ontario auto policy has rules about all of it. Here's everything you need to check before you leave.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Ontario: A Step-by-Step Guide
Knowing what to do after a car accident saves you time, money, and stress. We walk through every step — what to do at the scene, when to call police, how to report the collision, and the critical Accident Benefits deadlines most Ontario drivers miss.
Small Business Insurance in Ontario: What You Need (and Can Skip)
Not every small business needs the same insurance. An Ontario broker explains which coverages are non-negotiable, which depend on your situation, and how to bundle them without overpaying.
Heating Season and Home Insurance: What Ontario Homeowners Need
Water damage is the single biggest source of home insurance claims in Canada, and frozen pipes during heating season are among the most preventable. Here's what your insurer actually expects you to do — and what happens when you don't.
How Much Is Insurance for a New G2 Driver in Ontario?
Getting your G2 licence is exciting. The insurance bill that follows is not. New G2 drivers in Ontario pay $200 to $500 per month for auto insurance — but there are proven ways to bring that number down significantly.
Can You Put Your Car Insurance on Hold in Ontario?
If you're storing a vehicle for the winter or heading south as a snowbird, you don't have to keep paying full premiums — but cancelling your policy outright is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. Here's how Ontario's coverage suspension endorsement works and what it means for your wallet.
Distracted Driving in Ontario: Penalties and Insurance Impact
A single distracted driving conviction in Ontario can increase your auto insurance premium by 25% or more for three years. Here's what the law actually says, what counts as distracted driving, and how to protect your record.
Cyber Liability Insurance for Canadian Small Businesses
Your general liability policy does not cover data breaches, ransomware, or business interruption from a cyber attack. Here is what cyber liability insurance actually covers, what it costs for a small business in Canada, and the federal reporting obligations that make it non-negotiable.
Rideshare Insurance in Ontario: What Uber and Lyft Drivers Need
If you drive for Uber or Lyft in Ontario without telling your insurer, your entire auto policy is at risk. Here's exactly how rideshare coverage works, where the gaps are, and what endorsement you need on your personal policy.
How Technology Is Transforming Independent Insurance Brokerages in Ontario
Only 15% of insurance consumers want a fully digital experience. The other 85% want digital convenience backed by a real person who knows their situation. That is exactly the space where technology-forward independent brokers thrive.
Rental Car Insurance in Ontario: OPCF 27, Credit Cards, and CDW
Before you sign the rental agreement, you need to know what your Ontario auto policy actually covers — and what it does not. OPCF 27, credit card benefits, and the rental counter CDW each fill different gaps, and getting them confused can leave you on the hook for a five-figure repair bill.
Summer Vacation Insurance Checklist for Ontario Travellers
OHIP hasn't covered out-of-country medical care since 2020, and a single ER visit in the U.S. can top $5,000. Before you pack your bags this summer, here's the insurance checklist every Ontario family should run through — from travel medical to the home vacancy clause most people don't know about.
Short-Term Rental Insurance in Ontario: What Airbnb Hosts Actually Need
Standard home insurance excludes short-term rental activity in Ontario. Airbnb's AirCover has serious gaps. Here's what hosts actually need to protect their property, income, and liability.
Lending Your Car Means Lending Your Insurance
Before you toss the keys to a friend or family member, understand this: in Ontario, your auto insurance is tied to the vehicle. That means any accident in your car hits your policy — even if you weren't behind the wheel.
Ontario Tow Truck Laws: Your Rights After an Accident Under the TSSEA
Ontario's Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act replaced a patchwork of municipal rules with province-wide protections. Here is what every driver needs to know about choosing a tow truck, reviewing rates, and avoiding scams after a collision.