Going to the cottage is one of the greatest summer experiences for anyone living in Ontario. And owning a cottage is a dream come true for most where you get to enjoy hot summer days with a dip in the lake, and cool nights gazing at the stars. While it’s easy to imagine the joyful times, cottage ownership also comes with maintenance, repairs and insurance to make sure that your home away from home is protected.
At McClelland Insurance, our brokers provide you with expert advice on the risks and coverages needed for cottages. Some of our brokers are cottage owners themselves and fully understand what coverage you need to make sure that you enjoy the most of cottage season worry-free.
What is cottage insurance?
- Much like home insurance, cottage insurance provides coverage for risks such as fire, theft, vandalism, hail, wind and more.
- Depending on the insurance company, some policies cover damage caused by bears, raccoons and squirrels.
- Usually, a standard policy covers the cottage, dock, hot tub, shed and bunkie, as well as provides rental protection up to 30 days if you rent out your cottage for the short-term.
- There are a number of other coverages to help ensure that your assets are protected.
Optional coverages that you can add to your policy for enhanced protection
Short-term Rental Coverage
A standard cottage insurance policy doesn’t cover loss or damage while you rent out your cottage for more than 30 days. If you rent it out for more than 30 days, up to 180 days, you can add coverage to increase your protection.
Water
A standard cottage insurance policy has limited coverage for damage or loss caused by water. You can add coverage to protect your cottage from water damage caused by failed service lines, sewer/septic back-up or overland water.
Builder’s Risk
A standard cottage insurance policy doesn’t cover your cottage while it’s being built or undergoing renovations. You’ll need additional coverage while it’s under construction.