Name: Lakeview Insurance
Address: Calgary, AB
Telephone: 403-287-2521

Understanding the intricacies of home insurance can be a daunting task. That’s where Lakeview Insurance Brokers Ltd. comes in, offering expertise and guidance in navigating the home insurance landscape in Calgary. Here are the top five reasons why partnering with an insurance broker is crucial for your home insurance needs:

1. Expert Knowledge and Tailored Solutions

In the ever-evolving world of insurance, keeping up with the latest policies and coverage options can be overwhelming. Our Lakeview Insurance Brokers Ltd. team possesses the expertise to demystify these complexities. We take the time to understand your needs, ensuring your home insurance policy is tailored to your unique situation.

This personalized approach means you’re not just getting a one-size-fits-all solution but a policy that provides the exact coverage you need.

2. Access to a Wide Range of Products

One of the significant advantages of working with us is our access to a broad spectrum of insurance products. Unlike being tied to one insurance provider, we can shop around and offer various options.

This breadth of choice ensures you get the best coverage at the most competitive price. For home insurance in Calgary, we can find a policy that suits your budget and provides the protection you require.

3. Guidance Through the Claims Process

Navigating the claims process can be one of the most challenging aspects of home insurance. Our team is here to guide you through every step, providing support and advice.

We advocate on your behalf, ensuring your claim is processed efficiently and fairly. This guidance can be invaluable, especially in stressful times when you need to focus on your family and home.

4. Ongoing Support and Advice

Your relationship with Lakeview Insurance Brokers Ltd. doesn’t end after purchasing a policy. We’re here for the long haul, offering ongoing support and advice.

As your life changes – whether it’s a move, a renovation, or a new addition to your family – we’re here to help you adjust your home insurance accordingly. This ongoing support ensures that your coverage always matches your current needs.

5. Local Knowledge and Experience

Being based in Calgary, we understand the specific challenges and requirements of the local market. Our knowledge of Calgary’s environment, legislation, and real estate trends means we can provide advice that’s relevant and specific to your locality.

This local expertise is invaluable when choosing home insurance that’s right for you.

Protect Your Home in Calgary

Choosing the right home insurance in Calgary is a critical decision that impacts your financial security and peace of mind. By partnering with Lakeview Insurance Brokers Ltd., you gain access to expert knowledge, a wide range of products, dedicated support through claims, ongoing advice, and local insights.

Our commitment is to provide you with a home insurance solution that meets your needs, offering security and confidence in your coverage. Contact us today to find out how we can help you navigate your home insurance options and secure the protection your home deserves.

As a pet owner, your furry friend is probably one of the most important members of your family. They provide companionship, emotional support, and unconditional love. However, as much as we love our pets, they can also have an impact on our home insurance coverage. In fact, owning a pet can lead to increased risk and liability, and insurance companies consider these factors when determining premiums and coverage options. For homeowners in Calgary, it’s important to understand the impact of pets on home insurance coverage and take steps to ensure that you have the right protection for your needs. In this blog post, we’ll explore the ways in which pets can affect your home insurance coverage in Calgary and provide tips on how to protect both your home and your furry family members!

Liability Coverage

One of the main ways pets can affect your home insurance is through liability coverage. As a homeowner, you are responsible for any injuries or damages your pet may cause to others. If your pet bites or injures someone, you may be held liable for medical expenses and other damages. Liability coverage in your home insurance policy can help protect you from financial losses due to legal claims against you and your pet.

Breed Restrictions

Another way pets can impact your home insurance in Calgary is through breed restrictions. Some breeds of dogs are considered higher risk than others, and insurance companies may have breed restrictions or exclude certain breeds from coverage altogether. It’s important to check with your insurer to see if your policy covers your pet’s breed.

Additional Premiums

In addition to breed restrictions, some insurance companies may consider pets a risk factor and charge higher premiums to cover that risk. However, some companies may also offer discounts or rewards for responsible pet ownership, such as obedience training or spaying/neutering your pet.

Damage to Property

Pets can also cause damage to your home and belongings. For example, your dog may scratch up your hardwood floors, or your cat may knock over an expensive vase. While your home insurance policy may cover some damage, there may be limits to the amount of coverage provided. It’s important to review your policy to see what’s covered and to consider additional coverage if necessary.

Pet-Friendly Coverage

If you’re a pet owner, you may want to consider pet-friendly coverage options when shopping for home insurance in Calgary. Some insurers offer specific coverage for pets, such as coverage for veterinary bills or liability coverage for damage caused by your pet outside of your home.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, it’s clear that owning a pet can significantly impact your home insurance coverage in Calgary. However, with the right knowledge and preparation, you can ensure you have the protection you need to keep your home and furry family members safe and secure. By understanding the factors that influence pet-related home insurance coverage, such as liability coverage, breed restrictions, additional premiums, and damage to property, you can make informed decisions about your policy and protect yourself from financial loss. Additionally, exploring pet-friendly coverage options can provide peace of mind for pet owners, knowing that their beloved furry companions are protected. Ultimately, whether you’re a new pet owner or a seasoned pet lover, it’s essential to work with an experienced insurance broker who can help you navigate the complexities of home insurance in Calgary and provide you with the best coverage options for your unique needs.

Lakeview Insurance Brokers Ltd. has been a highly dedicated member of the Independent Brokers Association of Albert and has been family-run since 1979. Our brokers take the time to ensure you get the best policy that suits your needs. Contact us today to get started at 403-287-2521 or send an email to [email protected].

Shopping around for insurance can be a daunting task, but it’s an important one if you want to ensure that you’re getting the best coverage for your needs at a price that fits your budget. Whether you’re looking for home, auto, or business insurance, it’s important to know what to look for and how to compare different policies. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to shop around for insurance, with a focus on working with Calgary insurance brokers.

1. Determine Your Insurance Needs

Before you start shopping around for insurance, it’s important to determine your specific insurance needs. This will depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of property you own, the level of coverage you need, and your budget. Take some time to assess your needs and priorities so that you can find insurance policies that meet your unique requirements.

2. Research Different Insurance Providers

Once you know what you’re looking for in an insurance policy, it’s time to research different insurance providers. This can include both large national companies and smaller, local providers. Look for companies that have a strong reputation for customer service, competitive pricing, and a range of coverage options that fit your needs.

3. Compare Policies and Prices

Once you’ve identified several potential insurance providers, it’s time to compare policies and prices. Don’t just look at the cost of the policy, but also consider the coverage limits, deductibles, and other terms and conditions. Make sure that you’re comparing apples to apples when evaluating different policies.

4. Work with Calgary Insurance Brokers

One of the best ways to shop around for insurance is to work with a local insurance broker. Calgary insurance brokers have in-depth knowledge of the local insurance market and can help you find policies that fit your needs and budget. They can also help you navigate the complex world of insurance policies and understand the fine print.

5. Ask for Discounts

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for discounts when shopping around for insurance. Many insurance providers offer discounts for things like multiple policies, safe driving records, or security systems in your home or business. Make sure that you’re taking advantage of all available discounts to help reduce your insurance premiums.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, shopping around for insurance doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By determining your insurance needs, researching different providers, comparing policies and prices, working with Calgary insurance brokers, and asking for discounts, you can find insurance policies that meet your needs and fit your budget. Remember to take your time and choose policies that provide the coverage you need to protect your assets and your peace of mind.

The housing market in the city has seen condo sales rising lately. The next step for these new condo homeowners is to find insurance companies in Calgary to secure their homes from potential losses or damages.

However, condo insurance is vastly different from a house’s insurance coverage and its price. If you’re a recent condo homeowner, read on to find out what you can expect to pay for condo insurance and what its coverage entails.

Finding Condo Coverage from Insurance Companies in Calgary

Why Have Condo Insurance?

You might be asking yourself: “Why do I need coverage when I pay condo fees? Doesn’t condo fees act as a form of insurance coverage?” The short answer to that question is yes and no.

Your condo fees provide some insurance coverage, but it’s technically meant to help cover any losses, damages, or liability claims to public spaces in the condo building. For example, the condo’s insurance would cover any instances that occur within common areas like the elevator or on-site gym. In essence, their coverage is mainly focused on the collective – where it goes toward the building as a whole.

Depending on the condo, they can cover certain parts of your unit that are core to the building (e.g. windows & light fixtures). However, they don’t cover liability cases, damages, or losses within your condo unit. For instance, if someone broke into your unit and stole any valuables from you. According to how a condo works, that’s considered your responsibility to handle.

In these scenarios, finding the right insurance companies in Calgary for personal condo insurance comes in handy.

What Types of Condo Insurance Exist?

Like any insurance, not all coverage is the same. Depending on your preferences for coverage, you want to see what insurance brokers in Calgary offer for insurance policies.

For the most part, you can expect personal condo insurance to commonly cover the following:

Personal liability
Personal property
Unit improvements
Additional protection for contingency scenarios
Loss assessment
Loss of unit
Other living expenses

If you’re looking for more from your condo insurance policy, there are other options available such as:

Directors & officers’ liability
Overland water
Sewer backup
Identity theft

What’s the Cost of Condo Insurance?

As you recall, insurance plans all have varying degrees of coverage. In turn, it can affect how much you need to pay for your condo insurance. Naturally, the more coverage you want, the more it will cost you. Meanwhile, the less coverage, the less you will have to pay each month.

Plus, that’s not accounting for other factors such as:

Property type
Credit score
Replacement cost
Location
Internal construction
Renovations
Claims history
Pets
Special use

However, if you need substantial numbers, the average cost of condo insurance in Calgary is between $30 to $50 per month (around $400 to $600 per year). These monthly payments aren’t too bad – and there are ways you can further lower your condo insurance. Either way, it’s a reasonable price for personal peace of mind as a condo unit owner.

The rising insurance rates are a financial concern for many with home insurance in Calgary. Inflation has been felt across the country, with rates for home insurance in Canada has risen by 4.9%. Yet, other factors are at play that affect home insurance rates. If you’re a new or potential homeowner, learning what influences home insurance rates can help you financially for home ownership in the long run. See how here.

Factors Influencing Rates for Home Insurance in Calgary

As mentioned before, inflation has certainly affected the rates for home insurance in Calgary and across Canada. However, good insurance companies in Calgary can tell you there is more to consider that you can have some control over. Take the following factors into account to help avoid raising your home insurance rate further.

Your Home Address

The location of your home is a big factor in how high your home insurance rate will be. Some neighbourhoods in the city will have higher rates due to the risks of flooding or hailstorms, resulting in needing to file more claims because of damages. Beyond that, you need to consider your neighbourhood’s crime rate as well. There is a risk of higher theft, resulting in needing compensation for the losses from insurance companies in Calgary.

Your Home’s Makeup

Another factor that influences the rates of home insurance in Calgary is the build of your house. Is it old? If so, insurance companies in Calgary consider older homes to have more issues because they can be easier to damage. In this case, you need to repair and find better materials for your home that are more durable. Furthermore, you want to ensure your home systems (e.g. plumbing, electrical, heating, etc.) are in working order – lest they lead to home damage. Keeping these in mind, you can avoid potential damages if they occur.

Your Credit Score

Credit scores are important to keep in check – especially for home insurance in Calgary. You want to ensure you’re paying your monthly home insurance payments consistently. If you don’t, insurance companies in Calgary can tell you that it negatively affects your credit and insurance rate. So, do your best to avoid missing payments or if you do, reach out to your insurer to devise a negotiable option.

Your Claim History

All insurance companies in Calgary can attest that too many claims contribute to a higher rate. You want to keep claims low and have an inexpensive rate by only filing when necessary (e.g. severe damage or loss). Plus, you can find some home insurance in Calgary that can offer discounts for not filing claims in a long time.

Your Loyalty as a Client

Sometimes it pays to be a good client. When you have had home insurance in Calgary for a long time, insurers consider it a good sign. As a result, you can expect a lower rate. However, if insurance companies in Calgary see you’re switching insurers constantly as a red flag. It raises suspicion that you’re not trustworthy with payments or have stirred up issues previously, which results in a higher rate.

Inflation currently defines our economic climate in Alberta. Prices aren’t what they once were years ago. Consequently, you can expect car insurance in Calgary has changed since then. With this guide, you can help navigate car insurance in 2022 Alberta. See how here.

How Car Insurance Works in Alberta

Car insurance in Alberta is divided between basic and additional coverage. Basic coverage is mandatory by law and entails accident benefits and third-party liability. An established maximum amount makes this basic coverage affordable and accessible. Meanwhile, additional insurance coverage is more for collision cases and is not required by law.

It allows you to find personalized car insurance in Calgary for policies with more options for protection. However, not all insurance companies in Calgary have the same coverage and rates. But, it’s worth noting that the Automobile Insurance Rate Board (AIRB) regulates automobile insurance rates in Alberta. So, you can expect to find the car insurance that suits your needs and finances since prices vary.

What Affects Car Insurance in Calgary

As you might know, your driving history impacts how much you would have to pay for the premium on your car insurance. These can include:

Collisions
Frequent claims of serious injuries
Fraudulent claims
Distracted or impaired driving
Theft

These are just a few examples. However, you need to factor in where you live, which affects your premium rate. For instance, the premium rates for car insurance in Calgary will be higher than in rural places. The reason is that a bigger city has a bigger risk of theft, accidents, and even weather-related events. In turn, rates would be higher. Even if that’s the case, it doesn’t mean you can’t find insurance companies in Calgary that offer affordable rates.

How to Save on Car Insurance in Calgary

It’s not impossible to try and save on car insurance in Calgary during this time. Here are a few things you should consider to help you save!

Follow the Road Rules

This suggestion is an obvious one – but it’s worth the reminder. The safer you are on the road, lessens the chances of car accidents. It’s worth being a defensive driver for your and others’ safety while also helping to lower your insurance.

Be Cautious of Claims

You can’t help if you need to file a claim. That’s part of the process of insurance coverage. However, be cautious of filing too many claims. Doing so increases your insurance. So, only submit a claim if the damage is severe enough.

No Missing Payments

You don’t want to miss car insurance payments for your best interest. When you do, you will have to pay more to make up for it. If you can’t avoid a missed payment, then contact your insurer ASAP to help negotiate options on what to do.

Raise Deductible

Paying might initially seem counterintuitive to saving money on car insurance. However, raising your deductible helps to lower your rates. In turn, it will help save you money in the long term.

Proactive on Protection

Avoid having to go through insurance by finding ways to protect your vehicle. In Calgary, winter is notorious for collisions. So, ensure you’re equipped with the right tires. Also, regarding theft, consider installing security devices for your car.

Combine Insurances

You can find insurance companies in Calgary that can bundle your car and home insurance. In this way, you’re saving on costs through dual coverages. It’s a win-win scenario!

The cost of home insurance in Calgary has recently become a hot topic issue. According to the insurance comparison site RATESDOTCA, their 2021 study illustrated that the average cost of home insurance rose at more than three times the inflation rate over the past decade.

No homeowner with insurance is happy about this development – but there is a way around it.

Here are a few ways you can save on home insurance, so you don’t need to spend further than you’ve had to pay.

Combining Your Insurances

If you have automobile insurance, your best bet to save on home insurance is by combining these two insurances under one provider. It’s not an uncommon practice to do so. You would be surprised by how much you can potentially save through either special discounts or being able to reduce your premium. In this way, you’re simultaneously saving money on both home and automobile insurance. It’s a win-win scenario!

Paying a Higher Deductible

Initially, it might not seem ideal to pay more for a deductible. After all, you want to save money, not spend more of it. However, if you decide to pay more towards an insured loss, you can expect to save more on your premium. By paying more than your minimum deductible amount, you can potentially reduce the cost of your home owner’s policy.

Before paying more in deductibles, do keep in mind if your home insurance has any separate deductible for damage from major disasters. It is an important detail to consider, especially if you live in an area of Calgary that has been prone to flooding.

Maintain Your Credit Score

Keeping your credit score in good standing is generally ideal. However, it’s particularly important if you’re hoping to save further on your home insurance. With insurers, part of figuring out what your premium amount should be means having access to your credit history. When an insurer notices you have a particularly poor credit score, you can expect an insurer to double the amount for your premium potentially. Ensure your credit score remains in good standing so you don’t pay the consequences through higher home insurance premiums.

Safeguard Your Home

Home insurance is all about coverage for various forms of loss that can occur to your home. In this case, prevention is key to saving money on your home insurance—for example, combat theft loss by implementing security measures that will deter them. Also, security isn’t the only means of preventing potential losses. Keep up with your home’s maintenance by conducting any necessary repairs. It promotes safety in your home, so the likelihood of a loss occurring will be slimmer, and you won’t need to make any possible insurance claims.

Paying Annually Instead

You would be surprised by how much insurance companies will reward you for paying annually instead of monthly. It might not seem great to pay a huge sum upfront, but some insurers will give you potential discounts for making the switch. Plus, you don’t need to worry about it for another year by paying a large amount right off the bat. It saves you money and the stress of meeting monthly home insurance payments.

Insurance brokers in Calgary can offer a variety of insurance depending on your specific needs for coverage. When it comes to saving money on insurance, there will be different methods on how to save depending on what type of insurance you have adopted.

Check out how you can save money on most standard insurances!

Combining Insurances

Paying for two different types of insurance can get costly. If both insurances are a necessity, then combining them can be proven to be cost-effective. One popular combination insurance companies offer is paying your home and car insurance together under them exclusively. Not only do you receive a discount for doing so, which saves you money and can cut some costs on your premiums as well. In essence, you’re getting more bang for your buck by taking advantage of these types of bundled insurance plans.

Reducing Coverage

Sometimes a little goes a long way. It makes sense that folks would want maximum coverage in case the worst occurs and their bases are all covered. However, there is such a thing as going overboard when it comes to insurance coverage. You might be spending unnecessary money on coverage that you might not even use at all. Best to review the details of your insurance coverage and discern what policies to keep or eliminate. In this way, you can not only have insurance that best reflects your needs and save money as well.

Higher Deductibles

Paying out of pocket may seem unappealing when dealing with a claim. But when you increase your deductibles, your future self will be thanking you in the long run for doing so. How does considering a higher deductible save you money when you’re paying more? Let us explain. Higher deductibles can be incredibly beneficial in the case of a major loss and can lower your premiums. Lower premiums are certainly worthwhile for those with travel insurance that plan to be abroad for months. It helps bring extra ease to finances for a traveler.

Pay Premiums Annually

Many are used to paying most bills monthly. With insurance, you can pay monthly as well, but it might not be the best method to pay for coverage. Monthly payment lapses with your insurance might have you spending more than necessary. By paying your premiums annually, you only need to worry about paying one big sum once a year. This route has proven to be the best in cost saving as some insurance companies can offer you discounts for choosing to pay annually instead of monthly. If you can swing paying a large amount, then this would be highly lucrative for you to consider in the long term.

Finding mold in your home is never a good sign. Mold found in a home can not only pose a serious risk to individuals, but it can inflict damage to a home.

Home insurance is meant to protect a home by covering damages – yet many don’t know if mold damages can be covered.

See how mold affects home insurance coverage below!

Mold’s Debatable Coverage

Mold is a form of damage. However, there is a reason why it’s a contested damage claim – the basis comes from how mold occurs. A house environment that is damp, moist, with organic material is a surefire recipe for mold to easily spread.

There are multiple ways mold can thrive in the home, such as:

Roof leaks
High interior humidity
Overflowing washing machines
Flooding
Poor ventilation
Leaky pipes

Home insurance companies might not cover mold as damage based on the rationale that it’s a byproduct of the homeowner’s potential negligence. From a home insurance company’s perspective, a failure to act on home repairs or upkeep can be seen as grounds for your damage claim to be considered moot. As a result, many home insurance companies typically don’t cover mold damage claims.

Home Insurance Policies

Every homeowner has unique needs and expectations – which is why there are various home insurance companies in Calgary. Not every home insurance company will have the same type of policy for coverage. The range of coverage can be either minimal or a lot, depending on where you get home insurance from.

Some home insurance has unique policies that can even cover niche damages. In which case, there is a possibility of finding home insurance that can cover mold damages to a certain degree by having a cap amount. It’s more of finding the right home insurance company that would consider mold as a legitimate damage claim.

Coverage For Mold

There are ways to go about getting coverage for mold damages. It comes from knowing how to prove to home insurance companies that can be linked to a form of loss.

Mold damage can be considered if the homeowner can prove they have been actively preventing mold. A home inspection reporting the general condition of a house can be potentially beneficial in supporting your claim. If you know you maintain good upkeep in your home, it can prove to insurers in writing from a third party that your claim is valid.

A paper trail of receipts from home repair companies that failed to repair damages correctly could support your claim – like a leaky roof. It shows insurers you put the effort towards preventing mold and unfortunately paid the price from a poorly done repair.

Pet insurance, also known as veterinary insurance or pet health insurance, provides reimbursement for veterinary treatment. Owners pay a premium to an insurer in return for coverage of specified medical costs associated with illnesses and injuries.

How Pet Insurance Works

Typically, owners claim against their policy after taking their pet to the vet. The vet invoices the owner for their fees and sends a claim form to the insurance company. The pet insurer then decides whether or not to reimburse the owner after checking if all procedures were within policiy guidelines. What is returned varies from policy to policy. Still, it typically includes veterinary fees, hospital stays, and prescription medication.

Top Pet Insurance Benefits

Pet insurance has numerous advantages. Here are some of the benefits pet owners stand to reap from insurance.

Pet insurance allows you to seek treatment for your pet without worrying about the costs involved. Many owners cannot afford veterinary fees and so put off treatment until their pet’s condition deteriorates further, increasing the cost of treatment and putting their pet at risk. Insurance is particularly valuable for young pets not yet eligible for pre-existing condition exclusions.

Depending on your preference and budget, you can choose to pay your premiums monthly rather than annually or quarterly. Most veterinarians also accept direct debit from most insurers, so you do not even have to worry about making a payment every month! The charges are often pre-authorized from your account, so it’s as easy as making a credit card or debit card payment.

Considerations for Pet Insurance

Many pet Calgary insurance brokers do not exclude pre-existing conditions if they are insured before developing any symptoms. Meaning you can ensure your healthy pet at a very low cost and then be covered should they acquire a condition later down the track.

Some insurance companies set limits on how much they will pay for your pet’s health care each year. If this limit is met, further treatment is excluded from the policy even if you still have money left in your account. Most pet insurance policies do not restrict annual payments or require that you reach a certain limit before any more benefits are paid out. Meaning you know your maximum liability and can budget accordingly.

Many pet insurance companies offer an ‘excess waiver.’ This means that if you take your pet to the vet for treatment and are liable for excess, the company will pay it for you. Usually, this is only available once per condition, so it’s important to check your policy details. You can also choose not to insure your pet if you find a good deal without an excess charge!

Some pet Calgary insurance brokers have limits on how much they will pay out in total over the lifetime of the policy or during a calendar year – usually around $10,000 or $20,000, depending on age and other factors. Others offer unlimited lifetime cover, which means you never need to worry about making a claim.

Pet insurance is affordable protection for your pet. With so many financial and emotional benefits, it’s not surprising that pet insurance has become one of the fastest-growing sectors of the insurance industry. With pet insurance, your pet can get the treatment it needs when it needs it most. Choose the best Calgary insurance brokers to help you find the most comprehensive pet insurance.