Smart home insurance moves to make before spring arrives

Many homeowners only think about insurance when they need to make a claim. At that point, it can be too late to find out your policy doesn’t cover spring flooding or that you don’t have enough coverage after moving in with your partner.

Late winter is a great time to look over your home insurance add-ons before changes in weather or life events surprise you. Taking a few simple steps now can help you avoid stress, extra costs, and problems later.

Whether you're protecting against spring flooding, planning a move, or getting married this year, these important home insurance add-ons can help make sure you’re covered. In this article, we'll walk you through the coverage updates to make before spring arrives.

Protect against spring flooding with these essential add-ons

Standard home insurance policies don’t cover every kind of water damage, which can leave homeowners at risk. Public Safety Canada reports that flooding is Canada's most common and expensive natural disaster, causing about $1.5 billion in damage each year, with $800 million in uninsured losses. Homeowners pay for 75% of those uninsured costs.

Understanding which coverage protects from flooding or water related claims makes all the difference. Here are two key home insurance add-ons every Canadian homeowner should think about before spring:

Overland flood coverage

This endorsement covers your home when water from melting snow, heavy rainfall, or overflowing rivers enters at ground level, helping protect your property from costly damage that standard policies don't cover.

The spring thaw is the highest-risk period for overland flooding across most of Canada, particularly in British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec. Review your policy now to make sure you have this coverage in place before the snow melts.

Sewer backup coverage

When the spring thaw overwhelms municipal drainage systems or tree roots block your pipes, sewage can back up into your basement. This coverage protects against damage and cleanup costs, which can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars.

Sewer backup is particularly common during rapid spring warming when large volumes of meltwater strain aging infrastructure. Adding this coverage now, before the spring thaw, ensures you're protected during the riskiest weeks of the year.

Planning a move? Update your coverage before you pack

Spring and summer are popular times for Canadians to move. Whether you're upgrading to a larger home, downsizing, or relocating to a new neighbourhood, your insurance needs change with your new living situation.

If you're moving to a new home you own, you'll need a new homeowner's policy that reflects the property's value, location, and features. Don’t wait until moving day—reach out to your broker a few weeks ahead to keep your coverage up to date.

If you're moving to a rental property, make sure you have tenant insurance in place before you move in. Many landlords now require proof of coverage before handing over the keys.

Consider these home insurance add-ons when planning your move:

• Increased contents coverage if you've accumulated more belongings or purchased new furniture for your new space.
• Scheduled items coverage for valuables like jewellery, art, or electronics you're bringing to your new home.
• Additional living expense coverage in case you need temporary housing between moves or after a claim.
• Sewer backup and overland flood coverage, especially if your new property is in a high-risk area or near bodies of water.

Update your policy details as soon as you know your moving date. Provide your insurer with your new address, any changes to your property features (like a finished basement or garage), and an updated inventory of your belongings.

Take photos or videos of your belongings before you pack. This documentation is helpful if you need to make a claim during or after your move.

Getting married? Review coverage for merged households

Planning to tie the knot this spring or summer? Your insurance needs change when you merge households, and reviewing coverage now prevents gaps in protection.

Many couples wonder whether to merge policies or keep them separate. The answer depends on your living situation. If you both own homes, you’ll each need your own policy. If one of you is moving in with the other, you can merge into a single policy with both names.

Consider adding these home insurance add-ons as a newly married couple:

• Increased coverage limits to reflect merged households and the combined value of your belongings.
• Scheduled items coverage for wedding bands, engagement rings, and other valuable items.
• Secondary residence coverage for cottages, summer homes, or rental properties.

Reach out to your insurance broker within 30 days of your wedding to update your policy. This helps make sure you don’t have any coverage gaps when you combine your households and belongings.

Hosting a big event? Consider event liability insurance 

Spring and summer are prime seasons for backyard weddings and large outdoor celebrations at home. Although special event insurance isn't a requirement for at-home parties, you should still consider it if you're throwing a larger celebration, such as a wedding. Instead of upgrading your current home insurance policy, event liability insurance provides you with one-time extended coverage for third-party claims of property damage or bodily injury.

If you’re having your wedding or event somewhere other than your home, many venues will ask for proof of liability insurance before booking. This coverage protects you if something goes wrong, including medical costs if a guest is hurt, damage to the venue or rental items, and legal fees if you’re sued. 

Event liability insurance is often quite affordable, usually just a few hundred dollars for a day or weekend. It can cover weddings, engagement parties, anniversaries, and other big gatherings.

Your spring insurance review checklist

Use this checklist to prepare for your spring home insurance coverage review:

• Review your current policy documents and note your coverage limits and deductibles.
• Make a list of any life changes coming this spring (moves, marriage, events, or renovations).
• Document your belongings with photos or video, especially high-value items.
• Note any home improvements you've made that increase your property value.
• Research your property's flood risk based on your location and proximity to water sources.
• List questions you have about coverage gaps or add-ons specific to your situation.
• Schedule time to contact your insurance broker before mid-March.

Don't wait until you're in the middle of moving, planning a wedding, or dealing with spring flooding damage. Proactive planning now prevents coverage gaps and gives you peace of mind during the busy spring season.

Get your coverage right before spring arrives

Late winter is the perfect time to review home insurance add-ons for the season ahead. Whether protecting against spring flooding, moving, planning a wedding, or updating coverage, small steps now make a big difference.

You don't need to navigate this alone. Our Orbit insurance experts are here to help Canadian homeowners find the right coverage for their unique situations. We'll review your current policy, identify gaps, and recommend add-ons that match your spring plans.

Request a free home insurance quote from Orbit today. We’ll make sure you have the protection you need before spring arrives.

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