Children and insurance

Since our children are often on our minds, we’ve put together a list of the most common child-related insurance questions and provided answers that should address your main concerns!

Until what age is my child covered by home insurance? Is there an age limit or is it unlimited as long as she or he is living under my roof?

If your child is sharing your home on a permanent basis, she or he is considered one of the insured parties regardless of age and is therefore covered under your insurance policy.

If the damage is accidental, yes, it’s covered! Accidents can happen so quickly with kids, but you can rest easy knowing you’ll be protected.  However, deliberate damage is not covered.

My child will be moving to another town for several months to study, but it’s temporary. Will she or he continue to be covered by my insurance policy?

To be covered, the child has to be dependant on his parents while pursuing his studies. Call your insurance agent because your policy establishes the coverage limits for these types of situations.

Is there such a thing as insurance for students?
There is no insurance policy specifically for students, apart from what was noted above - namely, students covered under their parents’ plan as long as they are registered full-time with an educational institution.

Another common insurance policy geared towards students is tenant insurance. Tenant insurance is generally suitable for students who are the sole occupant of their apartment or have a roommate. Some insurers offer student discounts. You just have to call to find out if such a discount is available and if you’re eligible.

Car insurance: Do I have to take out insurance for my child if I buy him a car? Can I add him to my policy?

If you (the parent) are the registered owner of the car, you must insure the vehicle in your name, and assign your child as the primary driver. If your child is the registered owner, he or she must have a separate policy under his or her own name.

My child is learning to drive: Do I need to call my insurer?

If your child doesn’t have a learner’s permit, he or she does not have the right to drive and is therefore not covered in the event of an accident. You must begin by calling the Ministry of Transportation – Ontario (MTO) or Service Ontario, the Société d’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), Service Alberta , or your local provincial government body, for information about learner’s permit restrictions and, once the permit is granted, call your insurer.

What if my child is a student driver?

If your child has a learner’s permit, he or she must drive with an accompanying driver. For example, in Quebec, anyone with a learner’s permit must drive with someone who has a valid driver’s license for at least two years.  In Ontario, someone with a G1 license must be accompanied by someone with a valid G license and has at least four years of driving experience. Please check with your corresponding government agency in your home province for specific details! If your child is using the insured vehicle to practice, the insurer must absolutely be advised, since this constitutes a change to the insured risk.

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If you have other questions, leave a comment below the article. We’ll respond and add it to the list!