Resources

Explore expert articles and guides on risk prevention, asset protection, and insurance insights to help you make informed decisions for lasting protection and peace of mind.

Seasonal Tips

Ontario winters bring freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and icy conditions, increasing risks to your home and property. Taking preventative steps now can help avoid costly damage. Here are essential winter tips to keep your home safe and secure this season.

A leaking green metal water valve with water streaming from the connection point suggests a need for risk prevention. The valve is partially rusted, and the background is blurred, emphasizing the urgency in managing resources effectively to prevent further damage.

Protect Your Pipes

Insulate exposed pipes and keep your home heated to prevent freezing and bursting.

A hand holds an orange caulking gun, applying white sealant to the corner between a window frame and the wall, utilizing resources for risk prevention. The sealant is applied smoothly along the wooden frame, with the glass reflecting light.

Seal Drafts & Insulate

Caulk windows and doors, add weather stripping, and check attic insulation to retain heat.

A rooftop with grey shingles is partially covered by leaves and debris in the gutter. Small plants grow near a window below, which has closed blinds. To avoid issues, utilizing risk prevention resources can help keep gutters clear. A brick wall adds character to the scene.

Clean Gutters & Downspouts

Remove leaves and debris to prevent ice dams and water damage.

Close-up of a roof with gray asphalt shingles, arranged in a neat pattern as part of effective risk prevention. The clear blue sky forms the backdrop, while some debris is visible on the shingles.

Check Your Roof

Inspect for loose or missing shingles and clear heavy snow buildup to avoid leaks or collapse.

A white, vertical-panel radiator is mounted on a pale green wall, complementing the wooden flooring beneath. Its multiple flat panels and double-sided piping not only enhance efficiency but also serve as essential resources in risk prevention for maintaining a warm, safe home.

Service Your Heating System

Have your furnace inspected and change filters for efficient heating.

A white smoke detector, a vital risk prevention resource, is mounted on the ceiling. The round device features a central body with vent-like gaps around its perimeter and a small red indicator light visible on the side.

Test Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Ensure they work properly as heating systems run more in winter.

A shoveled path, a testament to risk prevention, is clear of snow and bordered by towering snowbanks. The dark asphalt peeks through, sprinkled with salt granules for ice melting. This path leads safely to a wooden fence in the background.

Stock Up on Winter Essentials

Keep salt, sand, and snow shovels handy to manage ice and snow.

Close-up of a hand using pruning shears to carefully cut a tree branch covered in green moss, demonstrating effective risk prevention. The background features a blurred tree trunk.

Trim Tree Branches

Cut back overhanging limbs to prevent damage from ice or heavy snow.

Close-up of a worn green garden hose with water trickling out onto a wet concrete surface. The pooling water is a gentle reminder to employ risk prevention resources to avoid unexpected slip hazards in the future.

Inspect Outdoor Faucets & Hoses

Shut off outdoor water lines and drain hoses to prevent freezing.

A black flashlight is turned on, emitting a bright white light, akin to essential risk prevention resources. It’s positioned on a smooth, light gray surface, with the focus on the front where the beam shines brightly.

Prepare for Power Outages

Have emergency supplies, flashlights, and a backup heat source ready.

Taking these proactive steps can help protect your home and family from winter-related damage. Need home insurance coverage? Strong Roots Insurance Brokers Ltd. is here to help!

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Risk Prevention Resources

Essential Tips to Minimize Risks and Protect Your Assets

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Icicles hang from the edge of a snow-covered wooden roof, glistening in the sunlight. The warm tones of the buildings wall contrast with the cold, wintry scene above.
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Quick Access to Important Links

Important links

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reports that 2024 was the costliest year in Canadian history for weather-related losses
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) explains how auto insurance rates are determined in Ontario

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FAQ

Find Answers to Your Most Common Questions

While brokers are here to provide advice and help you select coverage, it is essential to read and understand your policy. Insurance policies are legal contracts, and being aware of your coverage, exclusions, and obligations helps prevent surprises in the event of a claim.

No policy covers every possible scenario. Most insurance policies have exclusions and limitations. For instance, standard home insurance may not cover flood damage or wear and tear. It’s crucial to ask about policy limitations and consider additional coverage where needed.

Providing false or incomplete information (e.g., failing to report a new driver in your household) can lead to policy cancellation or denied claims. Honesty is crucial when applying for and maintaining insurance coverage.

Insurance rates are influenced by broader market trends, such as increased claims in your area, higher repair costs, inflation, and regulatory changes. Even if you haven’t made a claim, these factors can impact your premiums.

Loyalty to an insurer doesn’t always mean you’re getting the best rate or coverage. Insurance companies change their pricing models over time, and new discounts or coverage options may now be available that better suit your needs. We shop multiple insurers to find the best fit for you.

No, as long as the transition is properly managed. We ensure that your new policy starts the moment your old one ends so there is no lapse in coverage.

No, your claims-free history follows you. When you switch insurers, your new provider will apply any applicable claims-free or loyalty-based discounts, as long as your history remains intact.

Most insurers charge a cancellation fee if you cancel mid-term, but in many cases, the savings from switching to a better policy outweigh any penalties. We’ll help you calculate if switching now is beneficial or if it’s better to wait until renewal.

Yes, your clean claims history is an important factor in pricing, and we ensure that your new insurer recognizes it when calculating your premium.

Not necessarily. Often, clients who have been with the same insurer for years find they’re paying more than they should be. We shop for competitive pricing to ensure you’re getting the best value.

One of the most common mistakes is choosing only the minimum coverage required by law. Ontario mandates $200,000 in third-party liability coverage, but that’s not enough – that limit was set in 1979. If you’re in a serious accident, where anyone is hurt, their medical bills, lost wages, and damages could easily exceed that amount, leaving you personally responsible. We recommend at least $2M in liability coverage to protect your financial future.

If you use your vehicle for work-related activities beyond just commuting—such as making deliveries, carrying work equipment, or transporting clients—you likely need commercial auto insurance. Personal auto policies often exclude coverage for business use, meaning if you get into an accident while working, your claim could be denied. Even rideshare drivers (Uber, Lyft) need special endorsements to be fully covered.

It depends. In Ontario, insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver, so if you let someone borrow your car, they may be covered under your policy. However, if the person driving was:

  • Not legally licensed
  • Intoxicated
  • Excluded from your policy

Then your claim could be denied, and you might have to pay out-of-pocket. Always ensure you trust whoever you lend your vehicle to.

Several factors influence auto insurance rates in Ontario, including:

  • Your driving record (tickets, accidents, and claims history).
  • Your location (urban areas like Toronto or Brampton often have higher rates due to more traffic and theft).
  • Your vehicle (high-performance or luxury vehicles cost more to insure).
  • How much you drive (long commutes increase risk).

A little-known fact: Some insurers rate certain vehicle models higher than others based on theft rates and repair costs. Before buying a car, check if it has a high-risk rating for insurance.

Many people purchase extra insurance at the rental counter, not realizing that:

  • Their personal auto insurance policy may already cover rentals (if you have the OPCF 27 endorsement).
  • Some credit cards provide rental car coverage (but often with conditions and exclusions).

Before renting a car, check your existing policies so you don’t overpay for unnecessary insurance.

Many people misunderstand Ontario’s no-fault insurance system. It doesn’t mean you can’t be held responsible for an accident. Instead, it means:

  • Your own insurance company pays for your damages and injuries, regardless of who was at fault.
  • Fault is still determined, and it affects your future insurance rates.
  • If the other driver was at fault, you can still sue for damages in certain cases.

No-fault simplifies claims processing, but it doesn’t eliminate financial consequences for at-fault drivers.

If your home is vacant for more than 30 days, your insurance may no longer cover:

  • Fire damage
  • Vandalism
  • Water damage from burst pipes

If you plan to leave your home empty, let us know! We can arrange a vacant home insurance policy or add endorsements to keep your property protected.

Cyber liability insurance. Even small businesses in Ontario are being targeted by hackers and cybercriminals. A cyberattack can result in:

  • Stolen customer data
  • Ransomware demands
  • Business downtime and lost revenue

Cyber liability insurance helps cover legal costs, data recovery, and financial losses caused by cyber incidents. If your business collects customer information, this coverage is no longer optional—it’s essential.

If you experience a loss, the payout you receive depends on how your policy is structured:

  • Replacement Cost: Pays for a brand-new version of the lost/damaged item. Example: Your 10-year-old roof is damaged in a storm, and insurance pays for a brand-new roof.
  • Actual Cash Value: Pays for the item’s depreciated value. Example: Your 10-year-old roof is damaged, and insurance only pays what it was worth after 10 years of wear and tear.