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What types of insurance are required when purchasing a home?

There can be a lot of confusion around the different types of insurance when purchasing home. Here is a quick overview:
 
Default insurance: This is provided through CMHC, Genworth or Canada Guaranty. It is required for purchases with less than 20% for down payment. It is a percentage based on several variables but mainly your down payment amount, down payment source and amortization. It is generally just added into your mortgage at origination.
 
Home insurance: Otherwise known as Homeowner’s insurance. It is a type of property insurance that combines various personal insurance protections, which can include losses occurring to one's home, its contents, loss of its use (additional living expenses), or loss of other personal possessions of the homeowner, as well as liability insurance for accidents that may happen at the home or at the hands of the homeowner within the policy territory. It is required for anyone who is obtaining a mortgage.
 
Life insurance: A contract between an insurance policy holder and an insurer, where the insurer promises to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money upon the death of the insured person. Many people have been choosing to include critical illness and/or disability insurance to their policies as well. This is not generally mandatory however it is strongly recommended. 
 
Title insurance: A contractual arrangement to indemnify loss or damage resulting from defects or problems relating to the ownership of real property, or from the enforcement of liens that exist against it. You will often see title insurance required if there is a well or septic system on the property, however many lenders have begun requiring it on all purchases. The cost is minimal and is paid at the lawyer’s office.

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