We're a restoration company, not an insurance company or a lawyer. But we help homeowners through water damage claims every week, so here's what we've learned about how coverage usually works in Ontario. Always confirm with your own policy and broker.
The big distinction: sudden vs. gradual
Most standard Ontario home policies cover water damage that is sudden and accidental — a supply line bursts, a water heater fails, a pipe freezes and splits. Damage that happens gradually — a slow drip under a sink for months, long-term seepage through a foundation — is commonly excluded as a maintenance issue.
Three types of water, three types of coverage
| Where the water came from | Typically covered by… |
|---|---|
| Inside the house (pipes, appliances, fixtures) | Standard home policy, if sudden and accidental |
| Up through floor drains or toilets (sewer backup) | A sewer backup endorsement — often an add-on |
| Surface water through doors, windows or walls (overland flood) | An overland water / flood endorsement — a separate add-on |
After big GTA storms, many homeowners learn they had one endorsement but not the other. It's worth checking today, before you need it.
What a claim usually looks like
- Mitigate. Your policy expects you to take reasonable steps to stop further damage — shutting off water and calling a restoration company.
- Report. Call your insurer or broker and get a claim number.
- Document. Photos, moisture readings and a written scope. A good restoration company produces this for you.
- Adjuster visit. The insurer's adjuster reviews the damage and the scope.
- Drying and repair. Drying usually starts immediately; rebuild starts once the scope is approved.
Can I choose my own restoration company?
In Ontario, you generally have the right to choose who works on your home. Your insurer may suggest a preferred vendor, and that can be convenient — but it's your home and your choice.
Additional living expenses
If your home isn't livable during repairs (no kitchen, sewage contamination, no working bathroom), many policies include coverage for additional living expenses. Keep every receipt.
Tips from the field
- Know where your main water shut-off is before anything happens.
- Take a video walkthrough of your home and basement once a year — it makes contents claims much easier.
- Ask your broker specifically about sewer backup and overland water limits.
- Consider a backwater valve and a battery-backup sump pump; some insurers and municipalities offer discounts or subsidies.
https://stepcarerestore.com/guides/does-home-insurance-cover-water-damage-ontario/.