Protect Your Home with Confidence in Kingston
Comprehensive home insurance crafted for families, cottages,
and rural properties across the Greater Kingston area.
Why Kingston Families Trust
Shaw Insurance
Your home is likely your most valuable asset, and protecting it requires more than just a standard policy - it requires local expertise and personalized service. For over 40 years, Shaw Insurance has been helping Kingston homeowners, cottage owners, and rural property holders find the right coverage at competitive rates.
Deep Local Expertise
We're not a call center hundreds of kilometers away. We live and work in Kingston, and we understand the unique challenges our community faces - from harsh winter weather to the mix of historic homes downtown and sprawling rural properties in the surrounding areas. This local knowledge means we can anticipate your needs and recommend coverage that actually makes sense for your property.
Tailored Coverage, Not Cookie-Cutter Policies
Every home is different, and your insurance should reflect that. Whether you own a century home in the downtown core, a modern build in a new subdivision, a waterfront cottage, or a rural property with outbuildings, we build policies that match your specific situation. We take the time to understand your property, your belongings, and your concerns to create coverage that fits.
Trusted Carrier Network
As an independent insurance brokerage, we represent multiple leading Canadian insurance carriers. This means we're working for you -not an insurance company. We compare options across our network to find you the best combination of coverage and value. Our carriers include some of the most respected names in Canadian insurance, all with strong financial ratings and proven claims-paying ability.
Claims Support You Can Count On
The true test of any insurance policy is how it performs when you need it most. Our team provides hands-on support throughout the claims process, acting as your advocate with the insurance carrier. We're here to answer questions, guide you through paperwork, and make sure you get the settlement you deserve. You'll work with a real person who knows your file - not an automated system.
Comprehensive Protection for Your Property and Peace of Mind
A complete home insurance policy protects both your physical property and your financial well-being. Here's what we typically include:
Dwelling & Structures Coverage
This is the foundation of your policy, covering the physical structure of your home, including your house, attached garage, deck, fence, and other structures on your property. If your home is damaged or destroyed by a covered peril like fire, windstorm, or vandalism, this coverage pays to repair or rebuild. We ensure your coverage limits reflect the true replacement cost of your home - not just its market value.
Contents & Personal Property Coverage
Your belongings matter. This coverage protects your furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances, and other personal items whether they're damaged at home or even when you're traveling. We help you determine the right coverage amount based on the value of your possessions, and we can arrange for replacement cost coverage so you're not stuck with depreciated values after a loss.
Additional Living Expenses
If your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss, this coverage pays for temporary accommodation, meals, and other increased living costs while your home is being repaired. You won't be left scrambling to cover hotel bills or restaurant meals out of pocket.
Liability Protection
Accidents happen, and liability coverage protects you if someone is injured on your property or if you accidentally damage someone else's property. This includes legal defense costs if you're sued. Standard policies typically include $1-2 million in liability coverage, but we can arrange higher limits for additional protection.
Sewer Backup & Overland Water
Critical protection against basement flooding from sewage backup or surface water.
Earthquake Coverage
Optional protection for seismic events.
Identity Theft Protection
Assistance and coverage if your identity is stolen.
Increased Coverage for Valuables
Higher limits for jewelry, art, collectibles, and other high-value items.
Equipment Breakdown
Coverage for home systems like furnaces, water heaters, and air conditioning.
Strategies to Reduce Your Premium
Without Sacrificing Protection
We’re intimately familiar with Kingston’s housing landscape – the mix of heritage properties in historic neighbourhoods, modern developments in growing suburbs, waterfront cottages along the St. Lawrence and nearby lakes, and rural properties with unique features like detached garages, workshops, and agricultural buildings.
Our understanding of local weather patterns, including lake-effect snow, spring flooding risks, and summer storm potential, means we proactively recommend coverage that protects against the perils most likely to affect Kingston-area homes. We know which neighbourhoods have older infrastructure prone to sewer backups, which areas are at higher risk for water damage, and how to properly insure unique property features common in our region.
This local insight translates to better coverage recommendations, more accurate pricing, and fewer surprises when you need to make a claim.
Get Protected in Five Easy Steps
Step 1: Request Your Quote
Fill out our quick online form or give us a call. We’ll ask about your property details, current coverage (if any), and any specific concerns you have.
Step 2: Review Your Optionss
We’ll present you with multiple policy options from different carriers, explaining the coverage details and pricing in plain language -no insurance jargon.
Step 3: Customize Your Coverage
Work with us to add optional coverages, adjust deductibles, and fine-tune your policy to match your needs and budget perfectly.
Step 4:
Bind Your Policy
Once you’re satisfied with your coverage, we’ll bind your policy and send you all necessary documents. You’ll have protection in place quickly – often within 24 hours.
Step 5: Ongoing Support
We don’t disappear after the sale. We’re here for policy changes, claims support, and renewal reviews to ensure your coverage evolves with your needs.
Common Home Insurance Questions Answered
How much does home insurance cost in Kingston?
The cost varies based on factors like your home's age, construction type, location, coverage limits, and deductible. Most Kingston homeowners pay between $1,200-$2,500 annually, but we can provide an accurate quote based on your specific property.
What's the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost coverage?
Actual cash value pays the depreciated value of your damaged property, while replacement cost coverage pays to replace items with new ones of similar quality. We typically recommend replacement cost for both dwelling and contents.
Do I need sewer backup coverage in Kingston?
We strongly recommend it. Many Kingston neighbourhoods have aging infrastructure, and sewer backup claims are increasingly common. This coverage is relatively inexpensive but can save you tens of thousands of dollars.
Is my cottage covered under my home insurance?
Seasonal cottages typically require separate policies with different coverage. We can help you insure both your primary residence and your cottage with appropriate protection for each.
What happens if I need to make a claim?
Contact us immediately. We'll guide you through the process, help you document the damage, and work with the insurance carrier on your behalf to ensure a fair and timely settlement.
Protect Your Home Today
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Get comprehensive home insurance coverage tailored to your Kingston property.
