Help & Support - Home Insurance

You can always use your own supplier, but if you use a supplier from our list of preferred suppliers and repair facilities, you may only need one estimate for home claims, depending on the amount of damage or value of items.

You must keep us up to date on changes and renovations. Some important changes would be:

• Adding a rental suite in your home or converting to a multi-living space
• Operating a business from your home
• Making alterations to the structure or the way your home is used (for example, home sharing through a service such as Airbnb)

For renovations, in most provinces*, you must notify us within 90 days of the start of the work, if any improvement, extension or addition has been made to your dwelling that will increase the replacement cost of the dwelling by $10,000 or more.

Even before you begin renovations, ensure you contact us to ensure you have proper coverage during the renovations and once the renovations are complete. Depending on the extent of the renovations, the type of policy and/or coverage may need to be amended.

Please connect with us to ensure that you have adequate coverage to protect you and your family.

*In Quebec, you must notify us within 30 days of the start of the renovation if it increases the replacement cost by $15,000 or more.

You must keep us up to date on changes and renovations. Some important changes would be:

• Adding a rental suite in your home or converting to a multi-living space
• Operating a business from your home
• Making alterations to the structure or the way your home is used (for example, home sharing through a service such as Airbnb)

For renovations, in most provinces*, you must notify us within 90 days of the start of the work, if any improvement, extension or addition has been made to your dwelling that will increase the replacement cost of the dwelling by $10,000 or more.

Even before you begin renovations, ensure you contact us to ensure you have proper coverage during the renovations and once the renovations are complete. Depending on the extent of the renovations, the type of policy and/or coverage may need to be amended.

Please connect with us to ensure that you have adequate coverage to protect you and your family.

*In Quebec, you must notify us within 30 days of the start of the renovation if it increases the replacement cost by $15,000 or more.

Yes, you are insured against liability arising from your rental to others if*:

• You are renting out portions of a 2 or 3-family dwelling which you usually occupy as part of your own private residence as long as no unit includes more than 2 roomers or boarders
• You are renting space for an incidental office, school or studio space
• You are occasionally renting out a part of your home you normally live in

You need to advise your Service Specialist about any rental arrangements to ensure that you have the protection that you need. You should advise if any change in those arrangements.

*Coverage varies in Quebec. Please contact us at 1.833.223.8740 if you have questions about services offered in Quebec. 

Tenants need insurance. Even if you don't own the home you live in, there are several important reasons to have insurance:

• Coverage for the loss or damage of your contents and personal property
• Coverage for additional living expenses if you have to move out of your rental because of an insured loss
• Personal liability coverage
• Coverage for dwelling improvements and betterments made by you or acquired at your expense

Tenant insurance is relatively inexpensive. It protects your contents and your legal obligations to visitors and the owner of the home.

Please connect with us to ensure that you have adequate coverage to protect you and your family.

Vacant dwellings face increased risk for loss or damage.

Vacancy means all occupants have moved out (and are not returning) or occupants have not yet moved in. A home could still have furnishings, and be considered vacant.

Most insurers will only insure a vacant property for a certain number days. The first 30 days of vacancy has limited coverage. In order to arrange coverage after 30 days, you must connect with us, otherwise, coverage may cease.

Unoccupied has a different meaning; your home is unoccupied with the intent to return, such as while you are on vacation.

Please connect with us to ensure that you have adequate coverage to protect you and your family.

For an auto claim: Once a Claims Adjuster has assessed the damage, you are ready to make repairs or replace your vehicle. For repairs, you can choose your own shop, or we'll help you find a trustworthy preferred vendor. If your vehicle cannot be repaired, the Claims Adjuster will coordinate a payment so that you can purchase a new vehicle.

For a home claim: Your Claims Adjuster will assess the damage. Then you can start working with a contractor to make repairs or shop for replacement items. Scotia Home & Auto Insurance will issue a payment for an agreed amount.

Your home policy will cover the personal items in your home (subject to limits) which can include your furniture and appliances, clothing, jewellery, electronics, cameras, etc.

Although specialty items (such as jewellery, furs, artwork, coin collections, bicycles, etc.) are included in your personal property, they are often subject to specific limits.

When higher limits are required for specialty items, you can purchase optional riders to enhance coverage.

Please connect with us to ensure that you have adequate coverage to protect you and your valuables.