Cottage & Seasonal Home Insurance

At Oegema Nicholson and Associates, we know there’s nothing more valuable than spending time with loved ones at the family cottage or any other seasonal residence. That’s why our brokerage specializes in high-quality insurance products to protect your home away from home. Whether you own a lakeside cabin in the woods or a trendy condo down south, you can rely on our expertise to cover all areas of your investment. If you’re interested in learning more about seasonal home insurance, read on to discover how Oegema Nicholson can help protect you. So sit back and relax this season knowing you have high-quality coverage that suits you and your family’s needs.

What areas does seasonal home insurance cover?

Seasonal home insurance operates much like traditional home insurance in that it covers many areas pertaining to your residence. These areas include the following:

Your seasonal home

Designed to protect your cottage and other outdoor structures on the property, this insurance can cover things like theft, vandalism and weather-related damage. Many Canadians also choose to include coverage for sheds, decks and hot tubs as these are also costly to replace on your own.

Your belongings

Because seasonal homes contain many valuables, adequate insurance is necessary to protect your belongings. Damage or loss to furniture, clothing and family heirlooms can be devastating. Have peace of mind knowing your personal items are well insured whether you’re at the cottage or hundreds of kilometres away.

Liability claims

Liability protection covers you if someone is injured on your property. Should a landscaper hurt themselves while mowing your grass or a visiting relative slip and fall on your riverside dock, you could be held liable as the owner of the seasonal home. This is the case even if you didn’t intentionally cause the incidents. Liability insurance will cover property damage, medical expenses and even legal fees should the injured party decide to sue.

How can I determine how much insurance is necessary?

A trusted insurance broker like Oegema Nicholson can help you avoid being over or under insured. There are many factors that can determine how much seasonal home insurance you actually need. Your answers to the following questions will be a good indicator as to how much coverage is necessary:
  • How much time do you spend there?
  • Do you rent it out at some point in the year?
  • Will you insure your recreational home as a secondary residence on your regular home insurance policy, or as a standalone property?
Premiums will also fluctuate based on the risk associated with part-time occupancy. Many cottages are insured under a named perils policy as opposed to a comprehensive or all-risk policy. With named perils, you will have coverage for specific risks such as fire, smoke damage or gas explosion. Coverage for things like vandalism or water damage may be harder to arrange due to part-time occupancy. That’s because damage for these things may be more severe since it will take longer for the damage to be discovered.

Does seasonal home insurance allow me to rent out my property?

Renting out your cottage could void your insurance policy if not permitted by the insurer. That’s why it’s best to work with a trusted insurance broker to determine exactly what is and isn’t allowed under the current rules. If you do decide to rent out your property for parts of the year, Oegema Nicholson can help you find an insurance product that covers you adequately should your renters cause any damage.

Will I need to check in on my property regularly?

It’s certainly true that seasonal homes must be checked on regularly for safety and security. However, many insurance providers have a maximum number of days you can be away before coverage can be denied. If, for example, you haven’t checked on your cottage all winter and heavy snow collapses the roof, you may have to cover the cost of damages on your own. Oegema Nicholson can help you understand all aspects of your policy to ensure none of your claims are ever denied.

Why trust Oegema Nicholson?

At Oegema Nicholson, we believe clients should be treated like family. Our friendly team is committed to ensuring your best interests, which means we work hard to represent you. Whether you require additional insurance on your brand new beach house or basic coverage for your rustic summer retreat, rely on our expertise to help protect your most valuable assets. For more information on seasonal home insurance, call us at 613-224-1455 or contact us here.

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"Just wanted to leave a message for your website that praises Nik Dore for being a constant example of always providing invaluable customer service. I never worry that my questions and concerns will be dismissed or that I am receiving less than constructive advice. Many thanks to him."
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"I know all my insurance needs are covered with Oegema, Nicholson & Associates. I have been a loyal client for the last 15 years, and I can count of them for my commercial insurance, employee benefits, as well as my personal insurance and finances. Jeff Richer always goes above and beyond to help me with my insurance needs."
O-Omkar Atwal, Owner, Leitrim Home Hardware
"It’s always a pleasure to deal with Oegema, Nicholson & Associates, and I can depend on them for all my insurance needs. I have been a client for several years and whether it’s regarding my personal insurance, or anything to do with our employee benefits or commercial needs, I know I’m taken care of."
R-Rhonda, Capital Dodge
"I would like to thank Carol for everything she has done for me and my family over the years. It is my honest belief that we would not be in the position we are in if it was not for her guidance, expertise and honesty. We can't begin to thank her enough."
T-Tim
"ONA helps me with my personal insurance and my business insurance . They are my one stop shop when it comes to insurance and group benefits. I know I’m covered in all areas. Great friendly service and knowledgeable staff!"
J-James Carriveau, President, Exact Interlock and Exact Properties
"One call to Oegema, Nicholson Associates is all it took. After our basement flooded, within a day or two they had a crew cleaning everything up, taking down the drywall and itemizing everything to be cleaned, thrown out or restored. They had everything in place for us in a timely manner and were extremely patient with me as they talked me through the process and waited for me to make decisions."
J-Jennifer Parks, Stittsville, Ontario
"I’ve been dealing with ONA for over 20 years with my personal insurance, as well as our commercial insurance, and I know I can rely on them for great customer service, and prompt responses. I feel confident not only referring them to my employees, but to our customers as well."
C-Charlene Brunet, President, Dan Murphy Ford
Saul Mendoza (Salty)
Saul Mendoza (Salty)
2023-06-02
My broker Bill C. from ONA has helped me over the years now with my vehicle insurance. He is very cautious and detail oriented when processing documentation, and ensures I understand everything whenever there are any changes. He recently helped me cut my premium almost in half just by improving my record and shopping around at the appropriate time. I am grateful to him and the team for being there for me when I need them.
RMP Tutoring
RMP Tutoring
2022-05-14
I was assisted recently by Greg, who did a wonderful job in not only answering all of my questions and helping me to review pre-existing insurance plans, as well as advising me to look into my credit card/group insurance before needlessly purchasing more. This to me speaks highly of the character of the employee and business of a whole, and it is certainly the one I will be going to for any future needs.
Bobby SHARKS
Bobby SHARKS
2022-05-02
They get back to you fast an excellent insurance agent
lise sevigny
lise sevigny
2022-03-07
Have been with Oegema for over 30 yrs. Always great service!
Jamie C
Jamie C
2022-01-10
Friendly, knowledgeable and professional. They take care of all my insurance needs. Commercial, Home and Auto.
Bob Bent
Bob Bent
2022-01-10
Great service on both commercial and personal lines.
Jennifer Bardwell
Jennifer Bardwell
2021-06-04
I purchased commercial insurance with this company. Very professional service throughout, and a good price on the policy. Would highly recommend!
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Oegema, Nicholson Financial Inc.
1453 WOODROFFE AVENUE
613-686-6338
Ottawa
1451 Woodroffe Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K2G 1W1
Manotick
5526 Manotick Main Street P.O. Box 149
Ottawa, Ontario K2G 1W1
Almonte
154 Bridge Street P.O. Box 749
Almonte, Ontario K0A 1A0
Russell
243 Castor Street
Russell, Ontario K4R 1B8
Orleans
3-3809 St. Joseph Blvd.
Orleans, Ontario K4A 0Z8
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