Whether you’re in Halifax, on the South Shore or tucked away in the Annapolis Valley, having home insurance in Nova Scotia means peace of mind. Sonnet makes it simple to protect your house and everything in it – all online, in language you can understand and in just a few minutes.

Why is home insurance important in Nova Scotia? 

Living on the East Coast means fresh air and scenic ocean views, but with that beauty comes some unique risks. Here are a few reasons why having home insurance in Nova Scotia is important:

• Coastal weather protection
  From wildfires to the Atlantic hurricane season, extreme weather can cause serious damage. Insurance helps cover those costly repairs.
• Coverage for your belongings
  Furniture, electronics and other personal belongings can be expensive. Having home insurance helps cover the cost if they’re damaged or stolen.
• It’s required by lenders
  Most banks and mortgage providers will want you to have home insurance in place before finalizing your mortgage.
• Peace of mind
  If a tree from your property falls during a nor’easter and damages your neighbour’s roof or you forgot to salt your driveway and a courier slips and gets hurt, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re financially protected.

Get a Nova Scotia home insurance quote in minutes

Getting a home insurance quote shouldn’t be complicated. With Sonnet, you can get a personalized quote in just a few quick steps.

Step one: Tell us about you and your home
Enter your property details, like type, address and whether you own or rent. Then, tell us a bit about yourself.

Step two: Verify and customize 
Review the information we’ve pre-filled about your home and make any updates.  

If you qualify, don’t forget to add a discount to save more on your home insurance.

Once you see your quote, you can customize your coverage – adjust limits, choose deductibles and add any extra protection you need.

Step three: Purchase your policy
When you’re ready, you can purchase your home insurance or save your quote and come back to it later.

Understanding home insurance coverage in Nova Scotia

When you insure your home in Nova Scotia, you’ll get a set of standard mandatory coverages. From there, you can add extra protection that fits your unique needs. Learn more about standard home insurance and the extras you can add on:

Standard home insurance coverage in Nova Scotia

Liability
Protect yourself and the people in your home in case you’re sued. With personal liability coverage, you’re covered if someone gets hurt while visiting or for damage you may unintentionally cause.

Dwelling and detached structures
If something happens to your home, we’ll help pay to repair or rebuild it. Also, because your home isn’t just four walls, we also cover things like your detached garage and shed.

Personal belongings
Often called contents insurance, this protects property you own that you could pack in a bag or put in a moving truck. Personal property like your clothing, electronics and furniture are covered while they’re on your property or temporarily removed (like when you’re travelling to work or out of the country).

Extra expenses
In case something happens, and you can’t live in your home – you’re covered while your house is being repaired. Whether you stay in a hotel or with friends and family, we’ll help cover your extra living expenses.

Additional coverage for Nova Scotia homeowners

Sewer backup
This coverage can help in some smelly situations. If water backs up or escapes into your home through a sewer, sump, septic tank or floor drain, this will cover you for the damage caused. Coverage offered depends on eligibility.

Overland water
You’re covered for damage to your home caused by fresh water that enters at ground level through windows and doors. Some examples of fresh water include excessive rain, spring run-off and melting snow. Coverage offered depends on eligibility.

Note: Damage caused by coastal salt water – think storm surges or tidal waves – isn’t typically covered under standard home policies in Nova Scotia.

Earthquake coverage
This optional coverage covers you in the event of loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from an earthquake. If a snowslide, a landslide or other earth movements cause damage to your property because of an earthquake, you’re also protected.

Hail coverage 
Hail damage can be costly. Having hail coverage on your policy means your home and belongings will be repaired or replaced if a hailstorm happens. Hail coverage is automatically included in our home insurance policies. 

Identity theft
This covers you and anyone else on your policy in case your identity is stolen. We’ll reimburse you for legal fees as well as certain other costs, up to a limit. These could include lost wages for time off work to sort it out and payment for services that help you restore your identity.

File a home insurance claim online anytime

Sonnet takes the stress out of filing home insurance claims. Our step-by-step digital claims process means you can report, track and manage your home insurance claims anytime and anywhere in Nova Scotia. And if you’d rather talk to someone, our claims team is always ready to help.

Save on home insurance in Nova Scotia with Sonnet

From discounts for grads to savings when you bundle, Sonnet has many ways to lower the cost of your home insurance in Nova Scotia.

Discount for Canadian alumni
Graduate from a Canadian university or college? Your hard work could help you save.

Claims-free
If you’ve been claims-free for five years, you could pay less for your home insurance.

Bundle home and auto
Save more when you bundle home and auto insurance with Sonnet.

Multi-location
Own more than one property? Whether it’s another home, a condo or a rental – cover them with Sonnet and save.

Discount for eligible employees and association members
If you’re an employee or member of a professional association, you could be eligible for more savings.

Nova Scotia home insurance FAQs

How much does home insurance cost in Nova Scotia?

The cost of home insurance comes down to risk. When your home is at greater risk of damage, or that damage would cost more to fix, your premium goes up.

Here are a few key factors insurers look at when determining your price:

• Location: Homes in areas with more claims may cost more to insure – like if there’s been a major windstorm or wildfire that’s damaged a whole neighbourhood of homes.
  
  
• Home age and condition: Things like older wiring and plumbing can increase risk of damage and your price.
  
  
• Heating source: Oil tanks and wood stoves can mean higher premiums than electric or gas.
  
  
• Proximity to fire support: Living close to a fire station or hydrant can lower your rate.
  
  
• Claims history: The longer you’ve been claims free, the better your premium.

Does my Nova Scotia home insurance policy cover me for short-term rentals or home sharing through networks like Airbnb?

Sonnet doesn’t cover short-term rentals through any home-sharing service, like Airbnb and Vrbo. This applies to all our property policies – homeowners, condo, landlord and renters insurance. If you list your Nova Scotia home on these services as a short-term rental and need to file a claim, your claim could be denied.

Want to know more about how Sonnet covers long-term rentals? Check out our FAQ about renting out your home, condo, or rental property. Or contact us! We’re here to help.

How do you file a homeowners insurance claim in Nova Scotia?

With Sonnet, filing a home insurance claim is simple:

Step one: Log into your Sonnet account
Quickly access your policy number and the coverage details for your home insurance policy.

Step two: Report your claim online or over the phone

To report your claim online:
Click the "Start a digital claim" button and follow the prompts.

Need help? Our claims team is available to you via chat Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET.

To report your claim over the phone:
Call 1-844-766-6384. Be sure to follow the prompts – this helps us properly direct your call and saves you time.

For non-emergencies, it’s best to call during business hours, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m.–8 p.m. ET.

Step three: Work with our claims team 
Once your claim is submitted, your assigned claims team member will review it and walk you through the next steps. 

Step four: Settling your claim
If your claim is approved, we’ll mail you or the repair provider a cheque based on your coverage and the type of claim. Your assigned claims team member will explain if and how your deductible will be applied.

How can I lower my home insurance rates in Nova Scotia, Canada?

At Sonnet, we think protection should come with perks. That’s why we offer plenty of ways to save on home insurance in Nova Scotia – like bundling home and auto, staying claims free and even a discount for graduating from a Canadian university or college.