Remote Living: Insurance for Off-Grid Homes

If you live in a remote area, standard homeowner’s insurance may not cover your unique needs. Find out how to protect your house with off-grid home insurance.

Typically, off-grid living is defined as residing in a structure that depends on alternative or independent sources of energy, hydro, and sewage. These houses do not depend on the standard infrastructures that most homes and buildings use to provide modern comforts like electricity and running water. Instead, off-grid properties will rely on their own solar panels to generate power, water tanks and filters to produce clean water, and septic systems to dispose of sewage.

For some people, living off the grid is not a year-round commitment. Many seasonal properties and cabins are located in remote areas and depend on alternative energy sources out of necessity. However, for others, off-grid houses have become full-time, permanent places to call home.

Living off the grid in a compact home or remote location offers an exciting, often more affordable alternative to traditional homeownership. However, in terms of your insurance coverage, it can complicate things.

Read on to learn more about how off-grid home insurance differs from regular homeowner’s insurance, as well as cabin insurance, and how to find the right policy for your house.

Get Tenant Insurance in less than a minute

Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase policies from your computer or phone, receive your documents instantly, and save when you buy online.

Get a free quote

4.6 rating

Home and Condo Insurance Coverage

Insurance for a house or condo keeps you safe from experiencing large losses due to accidents or natural disasters. It plays a vital role in protecting one of your most valuable assets against the unexpected, such as severe weather, theft, or liability claims.

Whether you live in a studio apartment or a large house, the right policy can help cover you financially in case of:

• Damage, vandalism, or theft of your personal belongings

• Legal fees and medical expenses if a visitor to your home gets injured on your property

• Any unexpected living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable

APOLLO offers both Homeowner’s and Condo Insurance with the following key features to help protect you and your property:

Homeowner’s Insurance

• Personal Liability coverage up to $3M

• Guaranteed Replacement Cost

• Sewer Back Up/Overland Water coverage

• Service Line coverage

• Ability to schedule jewellery, bikes, trailers, and boats

• Monthly/Annual payment options

Condo Insurance

• Personal Liability coverage up to $2M

• Condo deductible protection for property up to $100K

• Contents coverage up to $150K

• Loss Assessment, Improvements, Betterments, and Contingent coverage up to $1M

• Monthly/Annual payment options

Related: How to file a home insurance claim

Get comprehensive Tenant Insurance for what matters

Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase in less than a minute, receive your policy instantly, and save when you buy online.

Get a Free Quote

4.6 rating

Off-Grid Home Insurance Coverage

Insurance for off-grid homes is often very similar to traditional homeowner’s insurance. Typically, it will cover the same perils like fire, water damage, and theft. However, remote living can result in a higher risk assessment, which can then increase your premiums.

Below are a few reasons why your off-grid home insurance could end up costing more money:

• Increased risk of fire damage: If your house utilizes a wood stove for heat instead of natural gas, this could make the risk of fire hazards greater.

• Outside service areas: Homes that are in remote locations may not be able to quickly reach essential and emergency services like fire departments.

• Higher risk of property damage: Off-grid homeowners often complete DIY installations of things like solar panels and septic systems, which could lead to property damage.

• Easier target for theft: If you are only occupying your off-grid home part-time, there is more opportunity for thieves to steal from your home or vandalise your property.

How Off-Grid Home Insurance Differs from Cabin Insurance

It’s possible for your seasonal home insurance to be very similar to an off-grid home insurance policy. The main difference would be if you plan to occupy your remote house year-round, instead of seasonally.

For example, cabins and cottages that are considered to be off the grid typically have higher premiums because owners are only there part-time. As mentioned above, this can increase the risk of property damage or theft taking place.

Get Tenant Insurance in less than a minute

Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase policies from your computer or phone, receive your documents instantly, and save when you buy online.

Get a free quote

4.6 rating

Decreasing Insurance Costs for Off-Grid Homes

If you’re looking for ways to offset the cost of your insurance, there are a few simple things you can do to mitigate your risks and potentially lower the cost of your premiums.

For example, you could install smoke detectors or an alarm system to help decrease the risk of fire damage, theft, or property damages. If you only live in your off-grid home part-time, you could consider sharing your property with multiple owners, to prevent your house from being vacant at certain times throughout the year.

Related: How much will you pay for home insurance?

Finding the Right Policy for Your Property

Insuring your home with coverage that meets all of your needs can be complicated. Speaking to an insurance agent or insurance company like APOLLO can help you better understand how to protect your investment and give you peace of mind. We’re making insurance effortless, so you can focus on what’s important — enjoying your home.

Start your online homeowner’s application with APOLLO now and you could be insured in the next 15 minutes.

Get comprehensive Tenant Insurance for what matters

Get no-nonsense coverage that's the best value for your money. Purchase in less than a minute, receive your policy instantly, and save when you buy online.

Get a Free Quote

4.6 rating