Coming Home to Abbotsford, British Columbia
Abbotsford, British Columbia, offers the best of both worlds. Its sprawling farmland and rural, small-town feel mean quiet neighbourhoods, low crime and peace of mind. There's more to Abbotsford, though. It is also conveniently located as part of the Abbotsford-Mission Metropolitan Area, offering access to a variety of entertainment options and shopping choices. The gorgeous, small-town look and feel combined with the convenience of a larger city makes it easy to see why nearly 154,000 people call the area home and purchase home insurance in Abbotsford.
Quiet and convenience aren't the only benefits. People who live in "The Farming Capital of Canada" experience a 22% lower cost of living than the national average. Housing is 11% more affordable as well, with the average cost of a home in the area being $1,138,762. There are also many jobs available in Abbotsford, and the agriculture industry is particularly thriving.
Choosing Home Insurance in Abbotsford
There are more than 20 different neighbourhoods in Abbotsford, which means you will have plenty of areas to start your search for the next place you'll call home. When you do find that special house, you must protect your investment. Your mortgage lender will likely include insurance requirements in the contract. The cost of your home insurance in Abbotsford depends on your individual needs.
Protecting Your Home With Insurance
Naturally, your policy covers your home's structure if it catches fire or suffers another covered disaster. If you have an attached porch or garage, it also has coverage. Your policy usually pays for the rebuilding of unattached structures like fences. Most insurance providers even offer reimbursement up to a certain amount when you stay in a hotel or need to eat out due to temporary displacement.
Personal Property
You can put personal property protection on your policy as well. It will pay up to a certain amount to repair or replace damaged furniture, electronics, clothing, jewelry and more, for covered events. You can file a claim if your items were damaged in a disaster or if they were stolen. Many policies let you file a claim even if the property wasn't in the home when stolen or lost.
Personal Liability
Finally, your policy covers your back with personal liability insurance. Your insurance will foot the bill if someone receives an injury on your property. Many home insurance options even include protection for your dog, even if he bites someone away from home.
Risk Factors for Home Insurance in Abbotsford
Insurance providers consider several risk factors when determining whether to insure you and how much to charge for your policy. First, they look at you and may charge more if you've ever filed a home insurance claim in the past or if you have a poor credit score.
They look at the property itself as well. Homes with up-to-date electrical, heating and plumbing systems typically cost less to insure than older homes. However, you may pay more if you have an attractive nuisance like a trampoline on your property. You may also pay more if someone's filed a claim on the property before, even if it wasn't you.
Finally, they consider risk factors in your neighbourhood, including crime and climate. Abbotsford is a safe area with a crime rate that is 8% lower than the national average, which means you may save money on your policy. Climate is another factor. The area is seeing more precipitation than it used to, which means it is more prone to flooding. However, most home insurance policies don't cover flooding, so be sure to purchase additional coverage to protect your home.