Français | Call Us

Facebook  Linkedin

Login

Western Financial Group
  • Insurance open insurance menu
  • Services open services menu
  • Reviews
  • About Us open menu
  • Contact Us

Find a Broker

Get a Quote

Insurance

Personal Insurance

Car

Home

Renter's

Farm

RV

Boat

Travel

Business Insurance

Start-ups to Mid-size Businesses

Employee Benefits

National Enterprises & Associations

Health & Life

Life

Disability

Critical Illness

Services

Registry Services

Claims

MyWestern

Payment Setup

Reviews

About Us

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Who We Are

Executive Team

Western News

Careers

Divisions

Partners

Sponsors

COVID-19 Info

Blog

Western Communities Foundation

Western Coast Insurance

Western Business Insurance

Wyatt Dowling Insurance

Contact Us

Personal Insurance

Car

Home

Renter's

Travel

Farm

RV

Boat

Business Insurance

Start-ups to Mid-size Businesses

Employee Benefits

National Enterprises & Associations

Health & Life

Life

Disability

Critical Illness

View All Products

Services

Registry Services

Claims

MyWestern

Payment Setup

About Us

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Who We Are

Executive Team

Western News

Careers

Divisions

Partners

Sponsors

COVID-19 Info

Blog

Western Communities Foundation

Western Coast Insurance

Western Business Insurance

Wyatt Dowling Insurance

Does a gas or wood stove or fireplace increase home insurance?

Socks and feet of a couple relaxing by fire with west highland terrier dog

Feb. 14, 2019. Few things are cozier than curling up with a cup of tea next to a crackling fireplace or woodburning stove in a Canadian winter. But it’s not surprising that having one in your home will increase your home insurance. The amount depends on the type of stove or fireplace and whether it’s the main source of heat in your house. Your insurance provider may require an inspection in order to insure your home. If you’re installing a fireplace or woodburning stove, make sure to tell your insurer or your insurance policy could be voided when you make a claim.

How your heating, electricity, and stove affect your insurance rates

Your insurance rates are determined by the risk perceived by your insurer and there are some heating and electricity issues that affect your premium.

  • Oil heating is riskier than gas or electric heat and therefore more expensive to insure. It can be an environmental and fire hazard.
  • Breakers are safer than fuses
  • Fire risk is higher if the electricity flow into your house is less than 100 amps
  • Old wiring raises the level of risk
  • Wood stoves increase the risk of fire and older ones are a frequent cause of carbon monoxide poisoning and fires, especially if they were not correctly installed
  • Fireplaces are a fire hazard and source of smoke damage
  • Gas stoves are not as dangerous as woodburning stoves and fireplaces but will have a moderate effect on your insurance. They must be properly installed and may need to be inspected.
  • Your proximity to a fire hydrant and fire station also affects your insurance.
  • A gas fireplace shouldn’t raise your insurance rate significantly

Fire used for heating

The top two causes of residential fires are heating and cooking, with heating fires causing 36% of all residential fires. Home insurance covers fire but you need to inform your insurer if there is a woodstove or fireplace in your home or if you plan on adding one. You’re also responsible for routine maintenance such as getting your chimney cleaned regularly. If you cannot prove that you do this then your claim may be denied if you need to make one.

What it means for your rates

A woodburning stove or fireplace can increase your home insurance premium by about 10% or $100 a year depending on which insurance provider you’re with. You can choose to keep it a bit lower by having a higher deductible and making sure you are not paying for features you don’t need.

Recent News Posts

Life Insurance vs. Self-Insurance: Pros and Cons
Life Insurance vs. Self-Insurance: Pros and Cons

June 6, 2023


How Farm Insurance Protects Your Way of Life

June 6, 2023


How to Boat Safely
How to Boat Safely

June 5, 2023


Bundle car and home to save

Home Insurance
Home Insurance
Car Insurance
Car Insurance
Car Insurance
Car Insurance

Car & Truck

Home Insurance
Home Insurance

Home

Business Insurance
Business Insurance

Business

Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance

Travel

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Life

Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance

Renter's

Call Us

Sales
Personal Insurance

1-866-860-1958

Business Insurance

1-866-860-1947

Life Insurance

1-888-594-3105

General Inquiries
and Services

1-866-245-2779
Mon-Fri: 8am-8 pm MT
Sat: 9am-6 pm MT

Claims

1-866-245-2779
Mon-Fri: 7:30am-4 pm MT
Sat: 9am-6 pm MT

1-877-599-7299
(After Hours)

Western Financial

About

Our Story

Executive Team

Careers

MyWestern Login

Mergers and Acquisition

Western Communities Foundation

Western News | Sitemap

Products & Services

All Insurance

Personal Insurance

Business Insurance

Health Insurance

Award Winning Brokerage

IBC Top Brokerage Top 100 Seal 2023  Top 100 Seal 2022

Privacy / Legal  |   Accessibility Guidelines |   Fair Treatment of Customers Policy |   Terms of Use  |   Compensation Disclosure  |  Whistle-Blower Policy |   Complaints Process  |   Media Relations  |   Sitemap


2020 Western Financial Group. All rights reserved.

2023 Western Financial Group. All rights reserved.