Aviva Canada

Best home insurance companies to quote in Canada

If I were shopping for home insurance in Canada, I’d start with these brands because they’re widely used, financially established, and commonly available through brokers, direct channels, or affinity programs:

For “people actually use,” the big-market evidence points to Intact, Desjardins, Aviva, TD, Co-operators, Definity/Economical, Wawanesa and Allstate as major Canadian P&C insurers; Insurance Journal’s 2024 market-share table put Intact at 14.9%, Desjardins 9.6%, Aviva 8.2%, TD 5.1%, Co-operators 5.0%, Definity 3.9%, and Wawanesa 3.4% of Canada’s P&C market. That includes more than home insurance, but it’s a good proxy for brands with real Canadian scale. (cdnc.heyzine.com)

My recommended shortlist by situation

Most homeowners: quote Intact, Co-operators, Aviva, Desjardins/The Personal, and TD. That gives you a mix of broker, advisor, direct, bank-affinity, and large national options.

If water/flood risk matters — basement, sump pump, older city infrastructure, heavy-rain area: prioritize Co-operators, Intact, Aviva, Wawanesa, CAA/BCAA, and compare the exact limits for sewer backup, overland water, groundwater, and service-line coverage. Intact’s enhanced water package can include sewer backup, water/sewer lines, overland water and groundwater depending on location; Co-operators markets Comprehensive Water coverage; Aviva offers basic water plus optional sewer backup and overland water; Wawanesa offers Water Defence for overland, sewer backup and groundwater. (intact.ca)

If you’re in Quebec: quote Desjardins, Beneva, Intact, La Personnelle/The Personal, TD, Co-operators, Aviva. Desjardins and Beneva are especially worth including in Quebec; CAA-Québec can also be worth checking.

If you’re in B.C.: quote BCAA, Wawanesa, Intact, Aviva, Co-operators, Square One. Pay close attention to earthquake, strata deductible assessment, and water damage limits if you own a condo.

If you rent or own a condo: quote Square One, Sonnet, TD, Desjardins/The Personal, belairdirect, CAA/BCAA, Intact. For condos, don’t just compare price—compare loss assessment, unit improvements/betterments, condo deductible assessment, and water coverage.

If you have a higher-value home: add Chubb, Intact Prestige, Aviva Ovation / higher-tier broker products, and possibly Northbridge through a broker. These are often better for custom rebuilding, collections, jewellery, wine, art, and higher liability limits.

Best “products” or coverage types to ask for

For a Canadian homeowner, the best policy is usually not just the cheapest “home insurance.” Ask for:

1. Comprehensive / all-risk home insurance rather than a narrow named-perils policy.
2. Guaranteed replacement cost or strong replacement-cost coverage, if eligible.
3. Sewer backup coverage.
4. Overland water / flood coverage, if available for your address.
5. Groundwater / seepage-related endorsement, where available.
6. Service-line coverage for underground water/sewer/electrical lines.
7. Additional living expenses high enough to actually rent elsewhere after a major loss.
8. Personal liability of at least $2 million; consider more if you have a pool, rental suite, high net worth, or lots of visitors.
9. Bylaw / ordinance coverage, especially for older homes.
10. Earthquake coverage in B.C. and parts of Quebec/Ottawa/Eastern Ontario.
11. Condo deductible assessment coverage if you own a condo.
12. Scheduled valuables for jewellery, bikes, instruments, cameras, collectibles, or high-end electronics.

Water coverage is the area I would scrutinize hardest. The Canadian market has been under pressure from severe weather and water claims; Rates.ca noted a 7.8% average Canadian home-insurance premium rate increase from Q4 2024 to Q4 2025, and it specifically ties rising premiums to severe weather and claims costs. (rates.ca)

Practical recommendation

Get at least 5 quotes:

• 1 direct/bank: TD or Desjardins
• 1 broker quote: ask for Intact, Aviva, Wawanesa, Definity/Economical, Gore/Beneva where available
• 1 advisor quote: Co-operators
• 1 membership quote: CAA/BCAA/AMA if applicable
• 1 digital quote: Sonnet, belairdirect, or Square One

Then compare coverage limits, not just the annual premium. Ipsos’ 2025 Canadian Satisfaction Index found CAA leading advocacy across measured insurance categories, with belairdirect, Sonnet and Intact also among top performers; it also found claims experience is a major weak spot in home/auto, so the cheapest quote is not automatically the best choice. (ipsos.com)

My “top 5” if you just want names

1. Intact Insurance
2. The Co-operators
3. Desjardins Insurance / The Personal
4. Aviva Canada
5. CAA / BCAA / regional CAA insurance

Then also quote TD, Wawanesa, belairdirect, Sonnet, and Square One depending on your province and whether you own a house, condo, rental property, or are buying tenant insurance.

Best Home Insurance Companies in Canada

Based on market share, customer satisfaction, and real-world usage, here are the brands Canadians actually buy from most, plus standout options for specific needs.

The Big, Trusted Names (Brokers & Direct)

1. Intact Insurance — The one everyone recognizes Intact is Canada's leading provider of home, tenant, and condo insurance, and it's a solid option for many Canadian families, and based on recent revenue numbers, Intact is one of the top five providers of personal home insurance in Canada. It's the largest provider with over $20 billion in premiums and excels in custom packages for all provinces. It's sold mainly through independent brokers and known for strong water-damage coverage.

2. Aviva Canada — Great for bundling and online convenience Aviva is a London-based banking and insurance provider, and it is the second-largest insurer in Canada — one of the best-known insurance providers in Canada, employing 4,000 people and insuring 3 million clients. It covers 860,000+ homes and is especially strong in Ontario, with flexible add-ons like identity theft protection.

3. Desjardins Insurance — Dominant in Quebec, strong everywhere Desjardins is a large Canadian co-operative — Canada's #2 P&C insurer after acquiring State Farm Canada — sold through Desjardins Agents and direct online, with notable water-mitigation device discounts.

4. Wawanesa Mutual — The customer-service favourite Wawanesa is a policyholder-owned mutual insurer that has been operating in Canada for over 125 years. It's frequently praised for claims handling and offers some of the more budget-friendly rates.

5. The Co-operators — Best for broad coverage This member-based insurer consistently ranks for having some of the broadest, strongest policy protection on the market, including robust water-damage packages.

6. TD Insurance — Best if you already bank with TD Known for strong bundle discounts when you combine home and auto, and convenient if you want everything (banking + insurance) under one roof.

7. Economical (now Definity) — Solid value pick, strong in Ontario Economical offers flexible policies averaging $1,320 and tops Ontario user ratings.

The Modern "Digital-First" Players (Popular with Younger/Tech-Savvy Buyers)

8. Sonnet Insurance — Fully online, fast Sonnet is Canada's first fully online home and auto insurer — you can quote and buy instantly, no broker needed — offering all-risk homeowners coverage with optional sewer backup, overland water, and earthquake add-ons.

9. Square One — Build-your-own coverage, popular for customization Lets you customize exactly which perils you want covered rather than buying a one-size-fits-all bundle — a favorite for people who want control over pricing.

10. Belairdirect — Strong financial backing, digital-first Belairdirect scores very well for financial strength (94/100), reflecting a strong verified ability to pay claims, and it's a solid pick for people who want to bundle policies digitally.

Quick Picks by Situation

• Renting/condo in a city like Toronto: Intact is Canada's largest home insurer, carries an AM Best rating of A+ (Superior), and based on regional data is often the best-priced option for renters, with median tenant premiums well below the regional median.
• You want flood/sewer-backup coverage: CAA, The Co-operators, and belairdirect are frequently highlighted for strong water-damage packages.
• You're a CAA member: CAA Insurance offers solid member discounts and bundles water coverage well.
• You want the cheapest, fastest online quote: Sonnet or Square One.
• You live in Quebec: Desjardins is

Finding the right home insurance in Canada isn’t just about looking for the cheapest premium; it’s about finding a company that won’t give you the runaround when a basement floods or a major winter storm hits.

Because our housing market and climate vary so much across the provinces, the "best" insurer depends heavily on what you own and how you prefer to buy your policy.

These are the top-rated and most widely used home insurance brands in Canada, categorized by what they do best.

1. The Industry Giant (Best for Broker-backed Reliability): Intact Insurance

Intact is Canada's largest home, auto, and business insurer. About one in four Canadians are insured through Intact, making them the default giant of the industry.

• How they operate: Intact primarily sells through an extensive network of independent insurance brokers across Canada, though they also own direct-to-consumer brands like Belairdirect.
• Why people use them: Because of their sheer size, Intact has an incredibly robust claims infrastructure. They are highly reliable if you need to make a major claim and are excellent for classic single-family detached homes, heritage properties, and tenant policies.
• Keep in mind: They aren't always the cheapest option out of the gate, but their broker network allows you to package coverages easily.

2. The Customer Service Leader: Co-operators

Co-operators is a highly respected Canadian cooperative insurer with a massive presence in Ontario, Alberta, and Atlantic Canada. They consistently rank at the top of client experience and satisfaction surveys in Canada.

• How they operate: Direct-to-consumer through their own dedicated financial advisors and agents.
• Why people use them: They have a reputation for empathy and smooth claims handling. Crucially, Co-operators was the first Canadian insurer to offer comprehensive water-damage insurance (including storm surge and overland flooding), which is a massive selling point given Canada's increasing severe weather events.
• Keep in mind: While they offer great coverage, their premiums can sometimes run slightly higher than discount online-only writers, but most policyholders agree the customer service is worth the extra few dollars a month.

3. The Modern Digital Disruptor: Square One Insurance

If you hate phone calls and want a modern, paperless experience, Square One is incredibly popular, especially among condo owners, renters, and younger homeowners in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.

• How they operate: 100% online direct-to-consumer.
• Why people use them: Unlike traditional insurers who force you into rigid, pre-packaged policies, Square One lets you customize almost everything. If you don’t own fine jewellery or a bicycle, you can opt out of those coverages to lower your rate. Their online portal is incredibly intuitive, making it easy to buy or update a policy in under 10 minutes.
• Keep in mind: They require you to keep your home in good repair (for example, they might ask for your roof age or plumbing details upfront), and they don't operate in Quebec.

4. Best for Group Discounts: TD Insurance

TD Insurance is one of the largest direct writers in Canada. If you bank with TD, you've likely seen their promos, but the real value lies in their "affinity" partnerships.

• How they operate: Direct-to-consumer (online or over the phone).
• Why people use them: TD has massive discount agreements with hundreds of Canadian universities (alumni of schools like U of T, UBC, McGill, etc.), professional associations (like engineers or nurses), and employer groups. If you belong to one of these, TD’s rates are often almost impossible for other companies to beat.
• Keep in mind: Because they are a direct-writing behemoth, calling in during peak seasons can sometimes result in long hold times, though their online portal has improved significantly.

5. Best for Auto Bundling: CAA Insurance

Most Canadians think of CAA for roadside assistance, but their insurance arm has quietly become one of the most highly rated home and auto providers in the country.

• How they operate: Through brokers or directly (and they offer unique perks if you are a CAA member).
• Why people use them: They offer some of the best bundling discounts in the country. If you bundle your home and auto insurance with CAA, the savings can be massive. They also score remarkably well on Net Promoter Scores and customer sentiment on forums like Reddit.
• Keep in mind: To get the absolute best rates, you generally need to be a CAA member, though the membership usually pays for itself in insurance savings.

6. The Regional Powerhouse: Desjardins Insurance

For anyone living in Quebec, Desjardins is the undisputed heavyweight, but they are also highly active in Ontario and Alberta.

• How they operate: Direct-to-consumer.
• Why people use them: They are incredibly competitive for older homes and multi-product bundling (especially if you have a mortgage or bank accounts with them). They also offer great perks for younger homeowners under 25.
• Keep in mind: If you are outside of Ontario or Quebec, their presence and competitiveness are slightly more limited.

Pro-Tips for Shopping for Home Insurance in Canada:

1. Don’t skip the Water Coverage Endorsement: In Canada, standard home policies rarely cover overland flooding (rising rivers or heavy rain pooling) or sewer backup by default. You must add these as optional endorsements. Ask your provider specifically about "Overland Water" and "Sewer Backup" coverages.
2. Use a Digital Marketplace first: If you aren't sure where to start, platforms like YouSet or Rates.ca are highly popular in Canada. They act as online aggregators, comparing quotes from major providers (like Intact, Aviva, and Economical) to find you the best rate in your specific postal code.
3. Soft Credit Checks: Most Canadian insurers will ask to run a soft credit check. Say yes. In Canada, consenting to this check can slash your premium by up to 20% to 25% if you have a good credit score, and it does not impact your credit rating.

If you want the best home insurance companies in Canada based on brands people actually use, the strongest names to start with are Intact, Aviva, The Co-operators, Wawanesa, Desjardins, CAA, TD Insurance, Allstate, Square One, and RBC Insurance.

For a practical short list, these are the most commonly recommended options in Canada:

If you want the most “used” or mainstream brands, the safest picks are Intact, Aviva, The Co-operators, Wawanesa, Desjardins, and TD Insurance because they show up repeatedly in Canadian insurer rankings and comparison lists.

If you want the best product types by situation, I’d suggest:

• Standard homeowner policy: Intact, Aviva, or The Co-operators.
• Best for condo/renters: Square One, TD Insurance, or RBC Insurance.
• Best if you want a major bank-backed option: TD Insurance or RBC Insurance.
• Best if you want a strong mainstream national insurer: Intact or Aviva.

A useful way to shop in Canada is to compare at least 3 quotes from one big national insurer, one bank-affiliated insurer, and one digital-first provider, because pricing and coverage can vary a lot by province, rebuild cost, claims history, and whether you need extra protection for water damage, sewer backup, or overland flood.

There’s no single “best” home insurance company in Canada because rates and eligibility vary a lot by province, home age, roof, location, claims history, and whether you bundle auto. But if you want the brands Canadians actually use and generally rate well, this is the shortlist I’d start with.

Top home insurance brands in Canada

Recent J.D. Power Canada home insurance studies have generally placed CAA Insurance and The Co-operators near the top for customer satisfaction, with belairdirect, Aviva, TD, Desjardins and Intact also performing well. That said, satisfaction rankings don’t mean they’ll be cheapest for your home.

Best by situation

• Best overall/biggest choice: Intact or Aviva through a broker.
• Best direct/online: TD Insurance, belairdirect, Sonnet, Square One.
• Best for Quebec: Desjardins, Promutuel, SSQ, Intact, belairdirect.
• Best for Ontario: TD, Intact, Aviva, Co-operators, CAA, belairdirect, Allstate, Economical.
• Best for BC: BCAA, Intact, TD, Aviva, Co-operators.
• Best for Prairies: Wawanesa, SGI Canada, Intact, Aviva, TD.
• Best for renters/condo: Square One, belairdirect, Sonnet, TD, Desjardins.
• Best for high-value homes: Intact, Aviva, Chubb, Pure, depending on broker access.

What product to actually buy

For most homeowners, look for a policy with:

• Replacement cost on the dwelling and contents, not actual cash value.
• All-risks / comprehensive coverage rather than named perils only.
• Overland water and sewer backup coverage — often optional but important.
• Earthquake coverage if you’re in BC or Quebec.
• Additional living expenses if your home becomes unlivable.
• Personal liability of at least $1M–$2M.
• Bylaw coverage if your home is older.
• A deductible you can afford — $1,000 is common, but $500 may cost more.

How to get the best quote

Get at least 3–5 quotes:

1. One broker quote: Intact, Aviva, Wawanesa, Economical/Definity, Gore Mutual.
2. One direct writer: TD, belairdirect, Sonnet, Square One.
3. One group/affinity quote: TD Meloche Monnex, CAA, Desjardins, Co-operators.
4. Bundle auto + home if you can — discounts can be 10–30% depending on insurer.
5. Ask specifically about water damage, roof age, wildfire, earthquake, and claims service.

Bottom line

If you’re in Canada and want a practical shortlist, quote TD Insurance, belairdirect, CAA Insurance, The Co-operators, Intact, Aviva, Desjardins, and a regional player like BCAA, Wawanesa, SGI Canada, or Promutuel if you’re in their province. The cheapest quote is not always the best — check the coverage limits, exclusions, deductible, and claims reputation before you buy.

Tell me your province and whether you have a house, condo, or rental, and I can narrow it to a tighter list.

The top home insurance companies in Canada are led by Intact, with strong contenders including Aviva, TD Insurance, Desjardins, Wawanesa, Co-operators, and digital options like Sonnet (part of Definity/Economical) or Square One. No single insurer is universally the "best"—it depends on your province, home type/value, risk factors (e.g., flood, older home), preferences for digital vs. broker service, bundling discounts (home + auto), and claims experience.

Canadians commonly use these providers because of their size, national or regional reach, competitive pricing, and real-world feedback on service and claims. Here are the standout ones based on market share, customer mentions in reviews/surveys, and expert roundups (as of 2025–2026 data):

• Intact Insurance (and belairdirect): Canada’s largest property and casualty insurer by a wide margin, with operations in every province and territory. It’s frequently ranked as a top or best-overall choice for broad coverage, strong claims handling, financial strength (A+ AM Best rating), and availability. Many people use it for its scale and options like guaranteed replacement cost. belairdirect is its direct/online brand.

• Aviva Canada: A major national player serving millions, often praised for flexible add-ons, bundling discounts (home + auto), and solid service. It underwrites policies for brands like RBC and PC Insurance in some cases. Popular for balanced value.

• TD Insurance: Strong direct-to-consumer option tied to TD Bank, with good bundling perks and online tools. It’s one of the largest by personal lines revenue and appeals to those wanting seamless banking integration.

• Desjardins: Excellent in Quebec and Ontario (and expanding elsewhere). It stands out in customer satisfaction surveys (e.g., high marks for service, courtesy, and claims in Quebec polls) thanks to its co-operative model and strong multi-product discounts.

• Wawanesa: Mutual insurer (policyholder-owned) with a long history and presence across Canada. It often ranks well for value, lower premiums in some comparisons, and customer satisfaction (e.g., awards for trustworthiness and service).

• Co-operators: Canadian-owned co-op with strong local advisor support and positive feedback on claims service. It’s a trusted choice for many, especially those valuing community-focused insurers.

• Digital/Online Specialists:

  • Sonnet (Economical/Definity): Fully online quoting and claims; good for tech-savvy users seeking competitive rates and ease.
  • Square One: Customizable policies bought entirely online; frequently highlighted for user-friendly experience and high customer review scores in some analyses.

• CAA Insurance: Often tops satisfaction surveys for claims experience, trustworthiness, and overall service (especially for members). Strong in several provinces.

Other notable mentions include Allstate (tiered coverage options), Chubb (high-value homes), and regional players like Promutuel or Beneva in Quebec, or BCAA/SGI in Western provinces.

Key Tips for Choosing and Buying in Canada

• Shop around and compare quotes — Prices and coverage vary significantly by location, home age/condition, claims history, and features like sewer backup or overland water. Use comparison sites (e.g., Rates.ca, PolicyMe, YouSet) or an independent broker for side-by-side options from multiple carriers.
• Bundling helps — Many offer 10–35% discounts when pairing home with auto.
• Check provincial availability and specifics — Intact, Aviva, etc., are nationwide; others are stronger regionally. Flood/earthquake coverage is often separate or limited.
• Focus on claims and service — Look at recent customer feedback on handling (e.g., speed, fairness) rather than just price. Satisfaction leaders like CAA, Desjardins, or Wawanesa often excel here.
• Average costs — Expect $1,200–$3,000+ annually for a typical home, depending on the province and details (e.g., higher in Ontario or for older/high-value properties).

Start by getting personalized quotes from 3–5 providers (or a broker) that match your needs—Intact or belairdirect for broad reliability, TD/Sonnet for digital ease, or Desjardins/Co-operators/CAA for service focus. Your best fit will come from comparing what’s actually available and priced for your situation. If you share more details (province, home type, or priorities like online-only), I can refine this further!