Car insurance
Ontario is home to more insurance companies than almost any other province, which sounds like good news until you actually try to pick one. Between big national brands, regional mutuals, and niche providers, sorting out who actually offers the best deal for your specific home isn’t something you can eyeball.
Ontario’s housing stock is also unusually diverse: century-old brick homes in downtown Toronto, sprawling rural properties in the North, and fast-growing suburban developments across the Golden Horseshoe. That mix means pricing and coverage needs can look completely different depending on where you live and what type of property you own.
To cut through the noise, we analyzed close to 40,000 valid home insurance quotes for houses, condos, and rental units submitted across Ontario. Here’s what that data says about the 8 best home insurance companies in the province for 2026.
Key takeaways
- Best overall: YouSet, a free digital insurance platform that lets users compare quotes from 15+ insurers and buy online in one place
- Best for homeowners: Economical, an Ontario-founded insurer
- Best for tenants: Intact, Canada’s largest home insurer
- Best for older homes: Travelers, a globally established insurer
- Best for availability: Wawanesa, a policyholder-owned mutual insurer operating in Canada for over 125 years
| Company | Category | Best For |
| YouSet | Insurance marketplace | Overall |
| Economical | Direct insurer | Ontario homeowners |
| Intact | Direct insurer | Ontario renters |
| Travelers | Direct insurer | Older homes |
| Wawanesa | Direct insurer | Availability |
| Aviva | Direct insurer | Newcomers to Canada |
| Chubb | Direct insurer | High-value homes |
| CAA | Direct insurer | Existing CAA customers |
How we chose the top home insurance companies in Ontario
This ranking draws on YouSet’s internal quote database, which includes close to 40,000 valid, completed home insurance quotes from Ontario. Each insurer was evaluated against the following:
- Internal YouSet quote data: Nearly 40,000 quotes from Ontario, between 2021 and 2026
- Coverage availability: Whether the insurer offers a solid standard policy alongside key optional coverages, such as water damage, sewer backup, and overland flooding
- Digital experience: How easy it is to get a quote, manage a policy, and file a claim online or through a mobile app
- Industry reputation: Financial strength ratings (AM Best), online reviews, and how long the company has operated in the Canadian market
For companies outside YouSet’s network, we relied on publicly available information, including customer reviews and industry standing.
The 10 best home insurance options in Ontario (2026)
#1 – YouSet – Best overall
YouSet tops this list because it gives Ontario homeowners, renters, and condo owners one fast way to compare and buy home insurance online, instead of bouncing between insurer websites or waiting on a callback from salespeople.
Enter your details once, and YouSet returns side-by-side quotes from Economical, Intact, Wawanesa, Travelers, and more in minutes. Its algorithm then surfaces the best-priced option for your specific property and profile, and you can complete checkout entirely online.
With 15+ insurers in its network, including broker-exclusive rates unavailable elsewhere, YouSet is more likely to turn up a competitive price than going to any single insurer directly. It’s also free to use and has RIBO-licensed brokers on standby to help.
Why it made the list
- 15+ insurers, side-by-side comparison
- 4.8 out of 5 stars across 2,000+ reviews (Google)
- No broker fees, free to use
- Online checkout with no phone calls, no redirects
#2 – Economical – Best for Ontario homeowners
Economical has deep Ontario roots. Founded in Kitchener, Ontario, in 1871, the company has since become one of the largest property and casualty insurers in the country. It carries an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent), meaning it’s considered well-positioned to pay out claims even in tougher economic conditions.
According to YouSet’s internal data, Economical offers the most competitive pricing on homeowners insurance, and not just in one part of the province. Its median homeowners premium of $1,468 comes in 9.9% below the overall Ontario median, and it undercuts the regional average in Southern, Eastern, and Northern Ontario.
It is also the most widely quoted insurer in YouSet’s Ontario network, showing up as a quote option in 87.7% of applications submitted between June 2025 and June 2026, making it one of the best home insurance companies for Ontario homeowners.
Why it made the list
- Cheapest homeowner pricing ($1,468 vs. $1,630 overall median)
- Best median annual price in Central ($1,415), Southern ($1,416), and Northern Ontario ($2,083) among YouSet’s network of insurers
- AM Best A (Excellent)
- Available through YouSet for side-by-side comparison
#3 – Intact – Best for Ontario renters
Intact is Canada’s largest home insurer and carries an AM Best rating of A+ (Superior), the highest financial strength rating a company can receive. Founded in 1809, Intact has one of the longest track records of any insurer operating in Canada today.
Based on YouSet’s internal quote data, Intact is also the best-priced option for renters in Ontario. Its median tenant insurance premium comes in at $440, 13.6% below the province-wide median of $509.
Beyond price, Intact offers the optional coverages Ontario renters are most likely to need, including water damage and sewer backup protection, along with a mobile app for policy management and 24/7 claims support.
Why it made the list
- Lowest price on tenant insurance in Ontario ($440 vs. $509 overall median)
- AM Best A+ rating, the highest available
- 24/7 claims support
- Strong Ontario presence
- Available through YouSet for side-by-side comparison
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#4 – Travelers – Best for older homes
Travelers is part of one of the oldest insurers in North America, tracing back to 1853. Its Canadian arm, Travelers Insurance Company of Canada, is headquartered in Toronto and holds an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior).
According to YouSet’s internal Ontario data, Travelers stands out as the best-priced option for pre-1970 homes. The median premium for a pre-1970 property insured through Travelers is $1,404, 13.2% below the overall pre-1970 median.
That matters in Ontario, where older housing stock, from downtown Toronto’s Victorian rows to century homes across Eastern Ontario, may still have electrical or plumbing systems that make coverage harder to find and pricier elsewhere.
Why it made the list
- Best price on homeowners insurance for older properties (pre-1970)
- Backed by a globally established, Dow-listed insurer, Definity
- Headquartered in Toronto
- AM Best A (Excellent)
- Available through YouSet for side-by-side comparison
#5 – Wawanesa – Best availability
Wawanesa is a policyholder-owned mutual insurer founded in 1896 in Wawanesa, Manitoba, and has grown into one of Canada’s largest property and casualty insurers over its 130-year history. It carries an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent).
Based on YouSet’s internal quote data, Wawanesa is consistently one of the most available home insurance companies in Ontario. It appeared as a quote option in 65% of Ontario applications submitted through YouSet between June 2025 and June 2026, making it one of the easiest insurers to actually get a quote from, regardless of property type or location.
Paired with its mutual ownership structure and long operating history, that broad availability makes Wawanesa a dependable option for Ontario homeowners who want a wide range of choice at quote time.
Why it made the list
- Option for 65% of Ontario users between June 2025 and June 2026
- 130 years operating in Canada
- Policyholder-owned mutual insurer
- Available through YouSet for side-by-side comparison
#6 – Aviva – Best for newcomers to Canada
Aviva was formed in 2002 through the merger of CGU and Norwich Union’s Canadian operations, though its roots trace back more than a century through those predecessor companies. Today, Aviva Canada insures more than 860,000 homes and holds an S&P Global Rating of AA- (Stable).
That international footprint and brand recognition make Aviva a familiar, reassuring name for people relocating to Ontario from abroad. While Aviva makes up a smaller share of YouSet’s Ontario quote volume than the insurers above, its global scale and broad coverage options earn it an honourable mention as the best home insurance company in Ontario for newcomers to the province.
Why it made the list
- 860,000+ homes insured across Canada
- Backed by Aviva plc, the UK’s largest insurer, operating in 16 countries
- AM Best A+ rating
- Broad selection of coverage, including water damage and sewer backup
- Available through YouSet’s network for side-by-side comparison
#7 – Chubb – Best for high-value homes
Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurer, founded in 1882 and headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It holds an AM Best rating of A++ (Superior), the highest financial strength rating AM Best issues.
Chubb earns an honourable mention as the best choice for high-value Ontario homes through its Masterpiece program, which is built specifically for luxury properties. It offers extended replacement cost, optional cash settlement, risk consultation services, and liability limits up to $100 million, well beyond what most standard homeowner policies provide.
Why it made the list
- Coverage for luxury, high-value homes
- World’s largest publicly traded P&C insurer
- AM Best A++ (Superior)
- Available through YouSet’s network for side-by-side comparison
#8 – CAA – Best for existing CAA members
CAA Insurance has offered home and auto coverage since 1974 and is backed by the broader CAA federation, which counts more than 7 million members across Canada through its regional clubs.
While CAA isn’t currently available through YouSet and wasn’t evaluated using our internal quote data, it does earn an honourable mention as the best option for existing members. For the millions of Ontarians who already carry a CAA membership, it’s a natural place to check for savings, as a Member discount of up to 20% is offered.
Why it made the list
- 7+ million CAA members across Canada
- Membership-tenure discounts on home insurance
- AM Best B+ (Very Good)
How much does home insurance cost in Ontario? (2026)
Based on YouSet’s analysis of nearly 40,000 valid quotes, the median annual premium for homeowners insurance in Ontario between June 2025 and June 2026 was $1,630. Notably, pricing varies across the province, with Northern Ontario having the highest median at $2,299.
Condo and tenant insurance remain far more affordable across the province. In 2025, the median annual condo insurance premium in Ontario was $495, while tenant insurance came in at $534. That gap exists largely because condo owners only need to insure their unit’s interior, and tenant policies cover personal contents and liability rather than the building itself, which remains the landlord’s responsibility.
Median Ontario home insurance premium by year
| Year | Homeowners insurance | Tenant insurance | Condo insurance |
| 2023 | $1,550 | $405 | $438 |
| 2024 | $1,717 | $463 | $460 |
| 2025 | $1,725 | $534 | $495 |
*Median annual premiums based on nearly 40,000 valid, complete quotes from YouSet’s internal quote database, province of Ontario, between January 2021 and June 2026.
Ontario home insurance considerations
Ontario’s mix of heritage and new-build homes, sprawling geography, and unpredictable weather creates a set of insurance considerations that don’t necessarily show up in other provinces. Knowing them ahead of time can help you avoid coverage gaps and surprise costs.
Heritage homes
Ontario has no shortage of older housing stock, from Victorian-era rows in downtown Toronto to limestone buildings in Kingston and century homes scattered across Eastern Ontario. Since these properties may still have original electrical or plumbing systems, including knob-and-tube wiring, the risk of fire and water damage is greater, and thus, so are insurance premiums.
If your home falls into this category, expect coverage to be not just pricier but sometimes harder to secure at all. In Ontario, some insurers won’t cover homes with outdated wiring or will require an upgrade before issuing a policy.
Toronto vs. the rest of Ontario
Home insurance pricing in Ontario doesn’t follow the pattern you might expect. Despite its density and property values, Toronto actually posted some of the lowest prices, likely a reflection of the sheer number of insurers competing for business in the city.
Northern Ontario, by contrast, carries the highest median premiums in the province, driven by higher rebuild costs in remote areas, harsher weather exposure, and fewer insurers actively competing in the area. Getting a quote through YouSet will show you exactly what’s available for your specific address, regardless of where in the province you’re located.
Ontario climate risks
Ontario’s geography creates a wide range of climate-related risks depending on where you live. Southwestern Ontario sits in a corridor prone to severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, while communities near the Great Lakes regularly deal with lake-effect snow and ice storms that stress roofs and power infrastructure.
Spring melt brings a real risk of overland flooding, particularly for homes near rivers or in low-lying areas, and Northern Ontario has seen a rising risk of wildfire in recent years. If your property sits in a higher-risk zone for any of these, it’s worth adding optional water damage or overland flood coverage to your policy.
7 ways to save on home insurance in Ontario
Lowering your home insurance premium in Ontario usually comes down to a handful of smart choices rather than any single trick. Here are seven ways to bring your cost down without sacrificing the coverage you actually need.
- Bundle home and auto insurance together: Multi-policy discounts are standard practice across Canada, and bundling through YouSet can knock an extra 15% off your total premium.
- Shop through a broker: A broker like YouSet compares quotes from multiple insurers for you, so you can land on competitive coverage without having to shop each provider yourself.
- Add a monitored security system: A professionally monitored alarm lowers your risk profile in an insurer’s eyes, which often translates into a lower premium.
- Re-shop your policy at every renewal: Insurance pricing shifts constantly, and last year’s best deal may not be this year’s. Comparing your options at renewal helps make sure you’re not overpaying. Plus, that’s easy to do through a platform like YouSet.
- Pay your premium annually: Paying upfront instead of monthly usually avoids the interest charges that come with installment plans, which can add up over a full year.
- Check what your neighbours are paying: YouSet’s home, tenant, or condo insurance calculator shows you what others in your area are typically paying, so you know if your quote is in line.
- Consider a higher deductible: Raising your deductible can meaningfully reduce your premium. Just make sure it’s still an amount you could comfortably cover out of pocket if you ever need to file a claim.
