In short, yes, your distance to a fire hydrant or a fire station can potentially lower your insurance.
Fires are not only one of the most common reasons for a home insurance claim, but also one of the most costly. So, when getting a quote for home insurance, it’s common for insurance providers to ask how close you live to a fire hydrant.
What they’re trying to determine is how quickly emergency services can respond to a fire at your property. Generally speaking, if firefighters can get to you quickly, the lower the perceived risk—and that’s good news for your insurance.
In this article, you’ll learn more about why living close to a fire hydrant matters, how much of a difference it can make in your insurance, and how to find the nearest hydrant to your home.
Does living close to a fire hydrant lower insurance?
Yes, living close to a fire hydrant may help lower home, condo, or tenant insurance premiums. Many insurance providers will factor in the distance between your home and the nearest hydrant when assessing potential risk. That said, it’s just one of many factors—among dozens—that go into calculating the cost of home insurance.
The idea is simple: better access to a fire hydrant typically means faster response times if a fire occurs. A shorter distance can reduce fire-related damage and, in turn, lower the cost of potential claims.
But what counts as “close”? The ideal distance to have a fire hydrant from your property would be within 300 metres. Within 300 metres, fire departments and emergency services can access water quickly without delays or the need for additional equipment, such as water tankers.
On the other hand, if the nearest hydrant is more than 300 metres away, response times may be slower and more resources may be needed—raising the risk of greater damage and loss.
While 300 metres is a common benchmark, some insurers may use slightly different thresholds, such as 250 or 350 metres.
Why proximity to a fire hydrant affects insurance
Fires are extremely destructive and can escalate quickly, with the damage usually being expensive and devastating. In the face of putting out a fire, every second counts. This is where your proximity to a fire hydrant comes in.
Here are a few reasons why being close to a fire hydrant can affect your insurance:
- Faster response time means quicker control over the fire, which means…
- Reduced risk of total loss and severe structural damage, and more manageable repairs, which means…
- Lower risk for insurance providers because your property is easier to protect. Lower risk for your insurance provider can lead to better rates and increased savings.
However, different insurance providers have different priorities and will use their unique criteria to determine your rate. While some might prioritize your distance to a fire hydrant, some may see it as one piece of the puzzle that is home insurance.
How to figure out the distance to the fire hydrant nearest you
Whether for insurance or safety purposes, it’s important to know where the nearest fire hydrant is to you. Here are a few ways to find a fire hydrant near you:
- Walk your street
- Use ArcGIS Online
- Check your municipality’s website
- Use Google Maps
- Ask your landlord or property manager
Walk your street
If it’s feasible, step outside or look out your front window. 300 metres is roughly equivalent to three city blocks. A quick walk is often the easiest way to check whether there’s a hydrant within range.
Use ArcGIS Online
Many cities in Canada use ArcGIS Online Fire Hydrant Viewer. This platform features an interactive tool that shows fire hydrants near you on a digital map.
Check your municipality’s website
On your municipality’s website, look for a section about public safety, emergency services, or utilities. This is typically where you’ll find public infrastructure maps that include hydrant locations.
Use Google Maps
Don’t underestimate the power of Google Maps Street View. Take a virtual walk around your neighbourhood and look for bright yellow or red hydrants. You’ll usually find them near curbs or street corners.
Ask your landlord or property manager
If you live in a rental or condo unit, reach out to your landlord, property manager, or condo association to find out where the nearest fire hydrants are—especially if they’re not clearly visible.
Next steps
While insurance rates are based on potential risk, living near a fire hydrant isn’t guaranteed to get you cheaper home insurance—it’s just one piece of a much bigger puzzle.
Fortunately, there are many other ways to save, like bundling your home and car insurance, installing a monitored fire alarm system, or paying annually instead of monthly to avoid interest charges.
We do the searching, you get the savings
