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1. Sean Graham says:

   August 25, 2009 at 11:45 am

   There’s a whole whack of items that may affect the cost of your home insurance. Some of the most common and easily identifiable for prospective home buyers to spot are:

   • How close is the nearest fire hydrant? Fire hall? The closer the better.

   • Is there a pool? If yes, you’ll need more coverage than a home without a pool.

   • What is the house made of? Consider the difference between a log house and brick house for example. Obviously a brick house is less susceptible to fire and would likely cost less to insure.

   • Is there an alarm system built in to the house? If there is, great, it might qualify for a discount.

   • Is there a woodstove, or fireplace? Some insurers will charge you extra if there are additional sources of heating.

   • Take a look around at the house. Are the counters granite or laminate? Are the floors hardwood or laminate? Upgrades like these to homes typically make them more expensive to insure because it increases the replacement value of the home.

   Obviously, this list is not exhaustive, but includes some of the most easily spotted items that may affect your home insurance.
   Sean Graham, Principal Broker at KTX Insurance Brokers.

   Neither Kanetix® nor the KanetixForum.ca is an insurance broker or agent. Although this information has been passed along to you from KTX Insurance Brokers through the Forum, we are not responsible for the opinions expressed by them. Insurance can be complicated. When reading these answers, keep in mind each person’s situation is unique. Individual responses may vary depending on your insurer, geographic location, and specific circumstances. If you have a similar situation, always speak with your insurance provider, or a licensed insurance representative, for terms and conditions that may apply to you.