The Climate Crunch: Cottage Country at Risk.
Advice You Can Trust | From Your Team at McLean & Dickey
A shift is underway across Ontario’s cottage country, from Rural Orillia, Barrie and Midland to iconic Muskoka. For cottage owners who cherish the summer breezes on Georgian Bay or the peace of Muskoka’s lakes, recent winters and summers offer troubling glimpses of what climate change could mean for their cherished retreats. Cottage insurance is becoming an essential safeguard in light of these emerging risks
1. Intensifying Windstorms
Severe windstorms are on the rise across Ontario’s cottage country. The notorious May 2022 derecho, with winds exceeding 190 km/h, caused catastrophic damage throughout southern Ontario, toppling trees, damaging homes, and leaving insured losses nearing C$720 million. But that was just the beginning.
In 2023, a series of convective storms brought strong winds and tornadoes to areas including Muskoka and Lake of Bays, damaging cottages, flipping docks, and snapping shoreline trees. The summer storm season alone caused over C$340 million in insured damages across Ontario. Nationally, 2024 was the most expensive weather year in Canadian history, with more than C$8.5 billion in insured losses—partly driven by wind-related events.
2025 Forecasters are predicting a moderate risk of severe windstorms across Ontario cottage regions this summer. Warmer-than-average temperatures mean there’s more energy in the atmosphere, which can fuel pop-up thunderstorms with damaging winds, heavy rain, and occasional hail. Understanding your cottage insurance policy’s windstorm coverage is more important than ever.
2. A New Era of Ice & Freezing Rain
Ontario has endured several new intensity rain and ice storms this year already:
- February 2025: Over C$260 million in insured losses across Ontario. Freezing rain that coated parts of Ontario: Flood risk for Muskoka as ice storm cleanup continues
- Late March 2025: A massive tree starts snapping in multiple locations due to heavy ice: Trees snap in half in #muskoka under the weight hours of freezing rain – YouTube
These events coated garages, docks, and cottages in thick ice, ripping off shingles, collapsing eavestroughs, snapping tree limbs, and knocking out power—sometimes for weeks—particularly in remote waterside communities.
Scientific models predict winter temperatures warming by ~3.3 °C, with more precipitation falling as freezing rain rather than snow. This shift increases both the frequency and geographic range of ice storms—making Muskoka, Rural Orillia and Barrie, Midland and other areas more vulnerable.
Proper cottage insurance helps cover these costly weather impacts and gives owners peace of mind during Ontario’s unpredictable winters.
3. Snow, Thaw Cycles & Off-Season Peril
Shifting winter patterns aren’t limited to ice. Unpredictable freeze-thaw cycles, warmer winters with heavy snow followed by sudden thaws, stress cottage foundations, docks, and septic systems. Back in April, the Simcoe Muskoka region expected a 17% increase in winter precipitation, much falling as rain—not snow—heightening risks of erosion and ice damming.
Midwinter thaw events, like those that happened in February of this year unleashed a sudden, deep flooding in shoreline areas that typically rely on frozen ground.
These shifting seasonal risks call for cottage insurance policies that reflect today’s climate challenges.
4. Wildfire Drought & Heatwaves in Summer
It isn’t just winter weather shifting, Ontario summers are also trending hotter and drier, which can increase wildfire potential. In 2023, widespread drought conditions across the country contributed to elevated wildfire risk and more frequent air quality warnings during the summer months. Even in areas without active fires, like Simcoe and Muskoka, residents experienced hazy skies and poor air quality caused by drifting smoke.
As of June 2025, Canada has already seen over 3.7 million hectares burned—making this one of the most active wildfire seasons in recent history. While most fires remain concentrated in the western and northern regions, smoke from those blazes has reached southern Ontario, prompting occasional air quality advisories and visibility concerns in places like Midland and cottage country.
While these regions have not typically faced direct wildfire threats, climate change is making weather patterns less predictable. Shifting precipitation, prolonged heatwaves, and drier forest conditions mean that even historically lower-risk areas may experience new exposures—from smoke-related health impacts to changing insurance considerations.
For cottage owners, this unpredictability highlights the value of proactive planning—both from a risk mitigation and insurance coverage perspective. Maintaining clear zones around structures, staying informed during wildfire season, and ensuring policies address newer risks like smoke damage can all offer greater peace of mind.
Don’t wait for wildfire season to review your cottage insurance.
5. What Ontario Cottage Owners Are Observing
Cottage owners report:
- Thicker-than-normal ice on docks and structures, followed by sudden cracking and collapse during early thaws.
- Extended power outages during spring storms and ice events, sometimes lasting several days or more.
- Unprecedented shoreline erosion caused by rapid snowmelt, heavy rainfall, and higher winter runoff.
- Localized flooding during spring thaw or following intense rain, particularly near low-lying or waterfront properties.
- More frequent tree damage from windstorms, with fallen limbs or trees causing property damage and service disruption.
- Lingering smoke and hazy skies during wildfire season, with air quality impacts even in areas far from active fires.
- Hotter, drier summers that lead to dried-out vegetation and increased fire bans, creating conditions that are more prone to wildfire ignition—even in areas not previously considered at risk.
Each of these changes introduces new considerations for your cottage insurance policy.
6. Insurance Implications & Rising Premiums
Simply put, evolving risks mean traditional policy structures may not cut it. Modern cottage insurance must now address:
- Windstorm and hail damage from convective storm events
- Ice and freezing rain accumulation
- Flooding from snowmelt or sudden thaws
- Wildfire risk from summer drought
With escalating losses (C$342M for spring ice alone) insurers are tightening underwriting and raising premiums. Cottage insurance is no longer optional—it’s essential. Cottage owners need proactive risk mitigation and proper coverage to maintain protection, manage costs effectively, and avoid losses where they can.
Common Risk Factors for Cottage Owners
| Risk Factor | Weekend Projects | Bigger Investments | Insurance Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Damage | Trim overhanging branches; secure patio furniture and docks | Reinforce roofing; replace aging windows or doors | Windstorm and hail endorsements; debris and tree removal |
| Ice buildup & storm prep | Clear eavestroughs; add weather stripping; check roof for ice dam risk | Install roof de-icing cables or attic ventilation | Utility service interruption; food spoilage riders |
| Freeze-thaw flooding & erosion | Test/install sump pumps and water detection devices; redirect downspouts away from the foundation | Shoreline reinforcement; regrade property to improve water flow | Overland water and sewer backup coverage |
| Localized flooding | Raise valuables off basement floors; install backup battery for sump pump | Re-sloping landscapes; perimeter drainage system | Flood and basement water protection riders |
| Wildfire & smoke | Clear brush; store firewood away from structures; clean gutters | Fire-smart landscaping; install ember-resistant vents | Fire and smoke damage; wildfire evacuation coverage |
| Heat & drought conditions | Use mulch in garden beds; monitor for fire bans; check septic tank filter screens | Upgrade water filtration; service or replace aging septic systems | Water contamination and septic backup riders |
| Power outages | Keep an emergency storm kit; test generator or portable power source | Install a whole-home generator or solar backup system | Power outage and utility interruption coverage |
Reviewing your cottage insurance policy annually can prevent surprises when the next storm hits.
The McLean & Dickey Advantage
- Local Expertise: We live and work in these communities too, so we understand the risks the way you do. That local perspective helps us recognize what’s changing and tailor cottage insurance coverage that fits your property and lifestyle.
- Adaptive Coverage: We work with the top insurance providers offering advanced coverage that protect against evolving threats.
- Climate-Conscious Advisory: Our team helps clients understand their cottage insurance options amid changing climate risks.
Thoughtful Ownership Amid Climate Change
Owning a cottage is more than a real estate investment, it’s a lifelong attachment to a place and in some cases span across several generations. Today, climate change reshapes that connection. Highlighting the physical threats, from wind to wildfire, is just step one. At McLean & Dickey, we are uniquely positioned to help you navigate these challenges, securing cottage insurance coverage that reflects current realities while advising on practical, climate-adaptive strategies.
Your cottage isn’t just a getaway; it’s part of your family’s story. Let’s ensure your insurance will help it weather tomorrow’s climate storms.
Thinking about climate threats for your cottage? Contact McLean & Dickey to review your current cottage insurance policy.
