Not all home insurance policies are created equal. So, it’s important to compare what’s offered by different home insurance providers. To help with this comparison, we’ve compiled information on five common providers in BC. Information is included on the degree of personalization, the type of protection, and the range of savings offered by each provider.
While every effort is made to keep this comparison up-to-date, it is subject to change without notice. Please contact your home insurance provider if you have specific questions about your policy. Or, call 1.855.331.6933 to speak with a Square One agent. Our office is open 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Monday - Saturday). In addition to answering any questions you may have, we can also provide you with a free comparison quote.
The professionals that started Square One have more than a combined 100 years of experience in the insurance industry. They recognized that traditional home insurance wasn’t meeting the needs of customers. So, they designed a new program from scratch. As a result, you can now:
Industry experts recommend that you get comparison quotes every three years because:
With Square One, you get a knowledgeable team, fast service, excellent protection, great prices and more...
Most home insurance providers offer pre-packaged policies that cover a wide-range of property. For example, you automatically get 10% of the building limit for detached structures (whether you have any or not). Other providers, like Square One, let you choose what property to insure so you only pay for what you need.
Provided below is a comparison of the types of property insured and limits of insurance offered by each major provider in BC. This comparison is based on a house with a $500,000 rebuild value. After reviewing the comparison, decide whether a pre-packaged or a personalized policy is right for you.
Square One | Aviva | BCAA | Intact | RBC | |
Detached structures | Optional | $75,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 |
Personal property | $25,000+ | $400,000 | $350,000 | $400,000 | $400,000 |
Specialty property | |||||
Audio + video media | Personal property | $1,000 | $1,000 | $3,000 | $1,000 |
Bicycles | Optional | $1,000 | $1,000 | $3,000 | $1,000 |
Business property | Optional | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
China | Optional | $10,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 | $10,000 |
Collectible cards | Optional | $5,000 | $2,500 | $8,500 | $2,500 |
Coin collections | Optional | $5,000 | $2,500 | $8,500 | $2,500 |
Computers | Personal property | $5,000 | $2,500 | $8,500 | $2,500 |
Fine arts | Optional | Personal property | Personal property | Personal property | $10,000 |
Square One | Aviva | BCAA | Intact | RBC | |
Garden-type tractors | Personal property | $5,000 | $2,500 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
Jewellery + watches | Optional | $6,000 | $10,000 | $7,500 | $6,000 |
Manuscripts + stamp collections | Optional | Personal property | Personal property | $10,000 | Personal property |
Money (including cash cards) | Not covered | Personal property | Personal property | $10,000 | Personal property |
Oriental rugs | Optional | Personal property | Personal property | $10,000 | Personal property |
Silverware | Optional | Personal property | Personal property | $10,000 | Personal property |
Sporting equipment | Optional | Personal property | Personal property | Personal property | Personal property |
Student’s property | Personal property | $10,000 | $3,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Watercraft | Optional | $2,000 | $3,000 | $1,000 | $3,000 |
Additional living expenses | $10,000+ | $125,000 | $150,000 | $100,000 | $125,000 |
Personal and premises liability | $500,000+ | $1,000,000+ | $1,000,000+ | $1,000,000+ | $1,000,000+ |
Square One | Aviva | BCAA | Intact | RBC |
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When buying home insurance, it’s important to determine what type of policy is being offered by the provider. The three types of policies available are:
1. Comprehensive: Protects against all types of loss except for those specifically excluded in the policy.
2. Named perils: Protects against only specific types of loss listed in the policy.
3. Broad form: Protects building on a comprehensive basis and personal property on a named perils basis.
Comprehensive policies offer the best protection and named perils policies offer the worst protection. That said; not all comprehensive policies are the same. In some cases, you are charged extra for critical protection against certain loss types. The chart below compares the policy and loss types offered by each provider.
Square One | Aviva | BCAA | Intact | RBC | |
Policy type | |||||
Comprehensive (Best) | Included | Optional | Optional | Optional | Included |
Broad form | Not offered | Optional | Optional | Optional | Not offered |
Named perils (Worst) | Not offered | Optional | Optional | Optional | Not offered |
Loss type | |||||
Earthquake | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Inland (freshwater) flood | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Not offered |
Water backup | Included | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Water from external drains | Included | Included | Optional | Included | Included |
Hail | Optional | Included | Included | Optional | Included |
Square One | Aviva | BCAA | Intact | RBC |
ready for an online quote? Your time matters, and so does your stuff. Get a personalized home insurance quote in 5 minutes. That’s less time than it takes to wait in line for coffee.
Before you start, please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Provided below are the most common discounts offered by home insurance providers. While some providers list discount amounts on the policy, others simply incorporate them into the final premium. Either way, you’re still receiving the same savings.
Selecting a higher deductible is another way that you can save money. A deductible is the amount that you are responsible for paying before your policy will respond. With some providers, you can save up to 30% by selecting a higher deductible.
Square One | Aviva | BCAA | Intact | RBC | |
Discount | |||||
Age-related | 45 years+ | 26 years+ | 45 years+ | 50 years+ | Included |
Claims free | 3 years+ | 3 years+ | 3 years+ | Variable | Included |
Home age | Included | Variable | Variable | Variable | Included |
Mortgage free | Included | Variable | Unknown | Variable | Variable |
Deductible | |||||
Standard | $250 to $5,000 | $500 to $2,500 | $500 to $2,500 | $500 to $2,500 | $500 to $5,000 |
Earthquake | 5% to 50% | 5% to 15% | 5% to 15% | 5% to 15% | 5% to 10% |
Square One | Aviva | BCAA | Intact | RBC |
Don’t just take our word for it. Here are some of the reviews that contribute to our average rating of 4.8 stars out of 5. Want to read more? Visit our reviews page.
I just insured with Square One, and the major difference is that they make it so easy to do online. The process is accessible, clear, and comprehensive. In a world where admin is so onerous, this was refreshing and so welcome!
I don’t typically write reviews, but on this occasion, I have to admit that it is with great pleasure that I write a positive review on the experience I had with Square One and Sam Seha (building adjuster). The heavy wind in the Niagara region literally blew the shingles off the roof of my house. I submitted a claim on May 20, and 8 days later, all has been resolved. Quite impressive to say the least.
I can’t say enough good things about Square One. From the moment I signed up, their team was incredibly helpful, guiding me through the process with clear explanations and no pressure. The coverage options are flexible and affordable, perfectly tailored to my needs. Their customer service is top-notch, always friendly, and ready to answer any questions. I feel confident knowing I’m protected by a company that truly cares about its customers. I highly recommend Square One to anyone looking for reliable car insurance!
I've had a great experience with my insurance agent, Rebecca. The process was smooth from the very beginning — clear communication, quick responses, and genuinely helpful support. She made it easy to understand my coverage and always took the time to answer my questions without rushing. Reliable, trustworthy, and client-focused — I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for solid car insurance and great advice!
By far the best insurance provider I have dealt with. I am so glad to have found Square One and to be a client. Today, I dealt with Himalee Jayasooriya by telephone and she was so knowledgeable, pleasant, and helpful. This meant a lot to me being a senior, and she easily and quickly expedited all my car insurance needs. No nonsense, just great service and a great product.
I completed the comprehensive online application for only home insurance as I do not drive. It took a while covering pretty much everything I could think of. The given price of the premium was almost unbelievable. So much so, that I felt I needed to follow up with a phone call. I spoke with a rep that was very knowledgeable, and helped me along with reasonable suggestions and provided recommendations, ensuring the apples to apples coverage. I was extremely pleased with the price of the premium that was a staggering $748 less than my current insurance provider! Thanks so much Square One!
I recently purchased condo insurance from Square One online, and the experience was fantastic. The process was straightforward, user-friendly, and incredibly efficient. The ability to customize my coverage and get everything done quickly without hassle was a big plus. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a smooth and transparent insurance buying experience!
This was the smoothest online buying experience I have ever had. Before Square One came to my attention, I suffered through a number of long-winded and frustrating review processes with other brand name insurers, only to be informed at the end of the process that they do not provide short-term renters insurance! Square One not only provides very cost-effective coverage, but the process was exceptionally painless. Highly recommended!
These guys are terrific! The entire online experience of purchasing was the easiest ever, and they blow the 'big guys' out of the water! The customer reps are exceptionally friendly, kind, and patient... I can't even begin to tell you. I also dealt with Rachel LaHay... she was outstanding and deserves a raise, recognition, and promotion. Not to mention, Square One is the cheapest quote I saw anywhere in Toronto. Thanks guys!
This entire process was the most painless I've experienced while getting auto insurance. The two folks I spoke with, Eran and Stephanie were delightful and absolutely helpful. 10/10 would do it again.