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Close up hand holding smartphone and taking photo of car accident

What to Do After an Auto Accident in Ontario: a Step by Step Guide

Being involved in a car accident can be stressful, even when the damage appears minor. Knowing what to do next—and what’s legally required in Ontario—can help protect your safety, your insurance coverage, and your finances. This guide walks you through the steps to take after an auto accident, based on how serious the situation is. Step 1: Check for Injuries and Ensure Safety Your safety always comes first. Immediately after an accident: Check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Call 911 right away if anyone

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couple dressed in colourful sweaters entering their cottage with firewood during the winter

Avoid Winter Cottage Claims with These Tips

Picture arriving at your cottage on the first warm weekend of spring, looking forward to a relaxing lakeside retreat. Upon unlocking the door, instead of the inviting scent of cedar and old books, you hear running water and see a buckled floor. This is a familiar concern for cottage owners in Muskoka and Orillia: discovering that a winter of heavy snow and freezing temperatures has wreaked havoc on your sanctuary while you were away. Winter in our region is undeniably beautiful, but it brings distinct

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heavy snowfall and moisture accumulation on roof with icicles and deep snow

Winter Roof Damage: What’s Covered?

It starts with a subtle dripping sound in the attic or, worse, the terrifying groan of timber under too much weight. For homeowners in Orillia, Muskoka, and the surrounding snowbelt regions, the accumulation of snow and ice on the roof is not just a chore to manage—it is a genuine threat to your property’s structure. When you look up at those heavy drifts hanging over your eaves, a pressing question likely crosses your mind: If my roof gives way or starts to leak, will my

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Business office desk with notebook written about plan listing of new year goals and resolutions

Insurance Resolutions: What to Update In the New Year

Most New Year’s resolutions are abandoned by the second week of February. This is one resolution that will protect you, your family, and your assets for the entire year—and it only takes a conversation. As the holiday decorations come down and the deep winter sets in across Orillia, Midland, and Muskoka, our thoughts naturally turn to the year ahead. We make promises to ourselves: to eat better, to exercise more, or to finally tackle that renovation project. But among the gym memberships and diet plans,

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Portrait Of Senior Friends Standing On Rocks By Sea On Summer Group Vacation With Arms Outstretched

Snowbirds: Simple Home and Auto Insurance Tips Before You Travel.

Heading Somewhere Warm for the Winter? A Few Insurance Tips Before You If you’re one of the many Canadians who escape winter for a few months, good for you! Before you lock the door and take off, there are a few simple insurance-related things worth checking. They don’t take long, but they can make a big difference if something unexpected happens while you’re away. Make Sure Someone Is Checking on Your Home When a home is empty for an extended period—especially in winter—it’s more at

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Home in a knitted scarf on a blue background, Concept of the heating system in a winterized house. Keeping warm in the house

Oil Heating and Insurance: What Homeowners Should Know

Oil heating is a common and dependable way to heat many homes, especially in rural areas and older properties. From an insurance point of view, oil heating systems are not considered dangerous. However, they do require a bit more attention because of what can happen if something goes wrong. Why Insurance Companies Pay Closer Attention The main concern isn’t how the system works day to day. The issue is the risk of an oil leak. Even a small leak can cause serious damage to a

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Ice Dam On Roof. Elevated View of Icicles and Snow on Building Eaves

How to Prevent Snow Load and Ice Damage to Your Home This Winter

Winter is here and so is the snow. With heavy snowfall already piling up, it’s a good time to think ahead about protecting your home before small issues turn into expensive repairs. Last winter saw record levels of snow fall and many homeowners across our region dealt with unusually high snow buildup. That led to a surge in problems like roof damage and water leaks caused by snow weight and ice dams and record levels of snow damage and ice damming claims. While most home

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Plumber repairing a burst water pipe in a basement.

Winter Vacations and Home Insurance in Ontario: How to Avoid Water Damage Claims

When colder weather arrives, water damage from frozen and burst pipes becomes one of the biggest risks for homeowners. That’s why insurance policies include specific conditions that apply if you go away and your home sits empty for a few days during the heating season. If these conditions aren’t followed, you could run into problems with your insurance coverage if water damage occurs. You might even have your claim denied. Why Winter Absences Matter When temperatures drop, pipes can freeze and burst quickly. If no

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Woman adjusting airflow for wood burning stove

Wood-Burning Stoves and Home Insurance in Ontario: What Homeowners Need to Know

Wood-Burning stove? Make sure to inform your insurance company. There’s nothing like the warmth and comfort of a wood-burning fire during the winter. As temperatures drop and snow piles up, many homeowners rely on their stoves to stay cozy. It’s nostalgic, comforting, and for many, a cherished part of winter living in Ontario. But when it comes to home insurance, a wood-burning stove is something your insurance company must be told about. Why it’s important to inform your insurance company Wood-burning stoves increase the risk

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Man cleaning deep snow off a roof

Safeguarding Your Assets: Commercial Property Insurance in a Winter Climate of Change

The previous winter brought record-high property damage claims across our region, exposing businesses to the harsh reality of extreme weather events. How can commercial enterprises effectively protect their physical assets when the very climate that shapes our winters—and their associated perils—is becoming increasingly unpredictable? This question is essential for every business owner today: navigating the evolving landscape of commercial property insurance amidst the growing impacts of climate change and extreme winter threats. Businesses in Barrie, Midland, Orillia, and Muskoka face an expanding range of risks

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