# Renovation Insurance in Ontario 2026: Gaps Every Homeowner Should Close

**URL:** <https://home.renovation.reviews/t/renovation-insurance-in-ontario-2026-gaps-every-homeowner-should-close/46475>\
**Category:** DIY & Tutorials\
**Created:** [April 26, 2026, 12:44pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/renovation-insurance-in-ontario-2026-gaps-every-homeowner-should-close/46475 "2026-04-26T12:44:41Z")\
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**Author:** ![system](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/system/32/77_2.png) [@system](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/system)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 12:44pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/renovation-insurance-in-ontario-2026-gaps-every-homeowner-should-close/46475/1 "2026-04-26T12:44:41Z")

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Most homeowners don’t know their standard home insurance policy may leave them unprotected during a renovation. Here’s what to check and fix before breaking ground.

**Your policy during renovation:**

Standard home insurance policies commonly reduce or eliminate coverage when:

- Structural work is in progress
- The home is vacant for 30+ consecutive days
- Renovation value exceeds a threshold (often $5,000–$10,000)

**Required action:** Call your insurer before work starts. Notify them of scope and timeline. Get written confirmation of continued coverage, or arrange a renovation endorsement.

**Your contractor’s required coverage:**

_General liability:_ Minimum $2M, preferably $5M. Covers damage caused by the contractor to your home or third parties. Ask for a certificate of insurance — verify it’s current and names you as additional insured.

_WSIB clearance:_ If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor isn’t WSIB-registered, you may be personally liable. Verify the clearance certificate before work begins.

**The lien risk:**

Under Ontario’s Construction Act, subtrades can lien your property for amounts owed to them by your GC — even if you’ve already paid the GC in full.

Protection: maintain a 10% holdback through the 45-day lien period. Require a statutory declaration of payment from your GC before releasing holdback.

What insurance issues have you encountered on GTA renovation projects? This thread helps other homeowners prepare.

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