12 home insurance discounts that can help you save money

Before you settle on an insurance provider, it’s in your best interest to shop around and compare home insurance quotes. But there are also ways to save money once you have a home insurance policy: discounts.

Lisa Coxon

June 23, 2022

6-minute read

About the author

Lisa is a senior editor in the personal finance space. Her work has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Toronto Life, Canadian Living and TVO. As a child, she diligently hoarded the $50 bills that fell out of her Christmas cards. Adult Lisa is working hard to resurrect those stockpiling tendencies.

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What kind of travel insurance should you get when taking a vacation?

There are many travel insurance options to protect yourself, your stuff, and your itinerary. But how much coverage is necessary? Here is a guide to selecting a travel insurance policy for your trip.

Sinead Mulhern

June 15, 2022

6-minute read

This article has been updated from a previous version.

As COVID-19 travel restrictions and safety measures ease around the globe, many people look forward to trips across the border or vacations abroad. As you take stock of your shorts, swimsuits, sun lotions and other must-pack items, don’t forget this crucial detail:  travel insurance.

About the author

Sinead Mulhern is a Canadian journalist who writes about health, fitness, travel and personal finance. A former Torontonian, she is now based in Medellin, Colombia where she freelances for Canadian publications while travelling.

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With interest rates rising, how might the mortgage stress test need to change?

Although high mortgage rates may deter people, the stress test is still important to protect buyers from future rate hikes.

REPORT: Kilometres on used vehicle listings rising amid global vehicle shortage

Key findings:

Pre-owned vehicles in the below $5,000 category saw a 40% increase in their odometers on average when comparing listings from Q1 2020 to Q1 2022.

What you need to know about using your travel medical insurance

Let's hope you never have to rely on travel medical insurance, but there's a lot at stake if you don't know how to use it properly. Here's everything you need to know before taking your next trip.

Sinead Mulhern

June 3, 2022

7-minute read

This article has been updated from a previous version.

About the author

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How using a prepaid credit card helped me stop relying on overdraft

Overdraft protection can be a short-term solution to cover necessary expenses; however, some people use it to fund their lifestyles. Here is how a prepaid credit card can help curb overdraft misuse.

Zandile Chiwanza

May 27, 2022

5-minute read

I have a confession to make. Before I got my financial affairs in order, I was overly dependent on overdraft protection. For at least two years, my bank account would rise above $0 on payday for a brief moment but as soon as I was done tackling my expenses, it would slip to a negative balance.

According to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, overdraft protection “isn’t meant to be an ongoing option to manage any money shortfall.”

About the author

Zandile is a freelance personal finance journalist. She previously worked as a personal finance writer at LowestRates.ca and before that, the content editor for Real Estate Management Industry News. As a self-proclaimed budget warrior, Zandile dedicates most of her time to advocating for financial wellness.

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Should you get title insurance? What you need to know

Home insurance doesn’t offer blanket coverage for all potential claims regarding your home. Fraud, undisclosed liens, and other issues pertaining to ownership fall under title insurance.

Renee Sylvestre-Williams

May 27, 2022

3-minute read

This article has been updated from a previous version.

In the legal world, having “title” to property means that you are its legal owner. Title insurance is the policy that protects commercial or residential owners against any losses to the property’s title or ownership, such as fraud, undisclosed liens or any other issues that may prevent you from freely owning the property.

About the author

Renee Sylvestre-Williams is a finance and business reporter. In her more than 10 years of journalism, her work has been published in the Globe and Mail, Flare, Canadian Living, Canadian Business, the Toronto Star and Forbes. She also publishes a biweekly newsletter, The Budgette, where she provides financial education for single earners.

How to rebuild poor credit

Rebuilding your credit can be a daunting task. Taking a few preliminary steps can help you get an idea of where to start, and what you can expect your credit to look like after changing your financial habits.

Vanessa Page

May 19, 2022

3-minute read

This article has been updated from a previous version.

If you’re reading this, you’ve likely gotten yourself into a bit of trouble, financially speaking. Although having a poor credit score can make certain aspects of your life challenging, it isn’t impossible to recover from. That said, rebuilding your credit takes time and the willingness to make some changes.

About the author

Vanessa Page has been a personal finance writer for the past three years. After studying Economics, the most boring of business sciences, she was an English teacher in South Korea and has traveled around the world. These days she's settled down in a small town in Canada. Vanessa divides her time between writing and managing her numerous blogs, starting new projects and reading as many books as possible. She can be contacted on Twitter, Facebook, or by email.

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How your credit score affects the loans you apply for

Your credit score can influence your interest rate and terms on money products, such as mortgages and other loans. Here’s why having a good score pays off.

Dominic Licorish

May 18, 2022

4-minute read

This article has been updated from a previous version.

Do you know your credit score?

If so, have you ever stopped to think about what it means?

Credit scores can be mysterious, and you may find you know little about how they impact your life even after a crash course in how credit scores are calculated. Many people think they only have one score, but that’s not the case.

About the author

Dominic Licorish is a freelance writer for LowestRates.ca. When he's not working, he spends his time writing movies and wandering the streets of Toronto with a camera.

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How long do you have to report an accident to your insurance company in Ontario?

There are several things you must do after being involved in a collision. Follow these steps, from checking for injuries to calling the police and notifying your insurance company.

Lisa Coxon

May 13, 2022

5-minute read

Depending on your car insurance policy, your auto insurance provider may require you to report an accident within seven days. But typically, the sooner, the better.

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