Founded by Saskatchewan farmers in 1945, Co-operators has grown into a well-known Canadian insurance and financial services brand. Along with home, condo, and tenant insurance, Co-operators also offers car insurance and a wide array of other financial products.
But is popularity and size enough when choosing the company that will protect what, for many, is the largest investment of their life? That’s a decision only you can make.
In this article, you’ll learn more about Co-operators home insurance, the potential pros and cons to consider, and how it’s different from an insurance broker like YouSet. That way, you can make the most informed decision and choose a provider that matches your needs and expectations.
How is YouSet different from Co-operators?
YouSet combines the convenience of an online platform with the advantages of a licensed insurance broker, while Co-operators is a direct-to-consumer insurer that underwrites and sells its own policies.
As such, there are key differences between YouSet and Co-operators to consider, which you can see outlined clearly in the table below.
| YouSet | Co-operators | |
| Type of provider | Digital insurance broker | Direct-to-consumer (D2C) insurer |
| Products | Home, tenant, condo, and car | Home, tenant, condo, car, travel, and life |
| Number of insurers | 18 insurers (Full list of YouSet insurers) | 1 insurer (themselves) |
| Price comparison | Side-by-side comparison, shows multiple quotes | No comparison, only shows one quote (their own) |
| Underwriting | Does not underwrite policies | Direct writer (underwrites its own policies) |
| Checkout | Online checkout or by phone | Online checkout or by phone |
| Claims | Claims handled by the insurer, additional support from YouSet, as needed | Claims handled directly by Co-operators |
Co-operators home insurance pros and cons
Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or condo owner, if you’re considering Co-operators for home insurance, then it’s important to understand what it offers and what it doesn’t. This is key to helping you determine if it aligns with what you’re looking for in a home insurance provider.
Pros
- Decreasing deductible
- In-person service
- Co-operative model
- Free legal assistance
Cons
- Restricted to Co-operators products and pricing
- Availability of local representatives
- Limited in-person claims
- Bundling savings may be limited
Decreasing deductible
Do you have a history of few or no home insurance claims? If so, Co-Operators will reward you each year at renewal for remaining claims-free by reducing deductibles of $1,000 or more by $100. For example, if your deductible starts at $1,000, it would drop to $900 after one claim-free year, and continue to decrease with each claim-free renewal.
Restricted to Co-operators products and pricing
If you buy car insurance from Co-operators, your policy will be underwritten by Co-operators General Insurance Company—meaning you’re limited to their coverage options, pricing, and discount structure. Unlike a digital broker like YouSet, which compares quotes across multiple insurers to help you find the best deal, Co-operators can only offer what’s in their own lineup.
In-person service
It is becoming increasingly rare to find in-person service, and yet Co-Operators continues to offer face-to-face services for those who prefer a traditional approach. Bear in mind, though, that the representatives at these locations only sell Co-operators products.
Availability of local representatives
On the Co-operators website, you are directed to contact a local Co-operators representative if you “have questions about our coverage or your policy.” Depending on the office and location, representative availability may be limited to standard weekday business hours.
Co-operative model
Co-operators operates as a co-operative, meaning it’s owned by its policyholders rather than external shareholders. This approach, with its emphasis on mutual benefits and member control, may appeal to those who value these principles in their insurance provider.
Limited in-person claims
Co-operators advertises claims offices across Canada where you can go in person for assistance and support. However, there is only one office in Quebec, six concentrated in major cities in Ontario, two in Alberta, and one in New Brunswick, listed on their website.
Free legal assistance
With Co-operators home insurance, you get access to a free legal helpline for general advice on issues like employment, family law, and contracts. While it may be a helpful resource, it’s limited to phone consultations and isn’t a substitute for full legal representation.
Bundling savings may be limited
Bundling home and car insurance with Co-operators can save you money, as advertised. However, bundling with a single carrier doesn’t always offer the most savings possible. Rather, a mix-and-match approach to bundling, where products and pricing from multiple carriers are considered and combined, can help you maximize your savings and find the most cost-effective solution.
Co-operators vs. YouSet home insurance
After getting a home insurance quote from Co-operators, it’s wise to compare quotes from an alternative provider, such as YouSet, to see if that’s truly the best price you can get or if there’s a better deal available.
Since 2017, YouSet has been making it easier for Canadians to buy home and car insurance online. Why spend hours manually comparing quotes when our proprietary technology can do it all for you in less than 4 minutes? Not only that, but we’ll also have Canada’s top insurance providers competing for your business, ensuring you get the best price year after year. With over 300,000 users and an average online review rating of 4.9 stars, YouSet is a broker well worth considering.
Best price year-after-year
YouSet’s algorithms are designed to do one thing - find you the best price. Not just the first time you buy, either. If your price increases at renewal, we’ll alert you and even help you re-shop with another carrier.
Transparent renewals
Anytime a YouSet insurance policy comes up for renewal, our team will make sure you’re paying the best price possible for your policy. If that’s no longer working, we’ll help you re-shop another carrier for a better deal.
Mix-and-match approach to bundling
YouSet is the only digital broker in Canada that automatically compares the cost of bundling home and car insurance from a single carrier against the cost of mix-and-matching home and car carriers. Whichever option offers the maximum savings is the one we present to you.
Buy, manage, and renew your policy online
How much easier would it be if you could purchase a policy, personalize it to fit your needs, make modifications to it, and renew it, all without having to make any phone calls or wait on hold? With YouSet, you can do all that and more with our self-serve features.
Highly reviewed by Canadians
With an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google, the general consensus among YouSet users is that YouSet is making it easier to find affordable insurance and buy it online at the best price year after year.
We do the searching, you get the savings
