When most people think about home insurance, they picture protection for major events like fire, theft, or flooding. But many home insurance policies also include additional coverages that are often overlooked. Two of the most helpful are Voluntary Medical Payments and Voluntary Property Damage.
These coverages offer support for small accidents that can happen around the home or within your community. Whether a guest slips on your walkway or your child accidentally breaks a neighbour’s window, these parts of your policy can help cover the costs even if you are not legally responsible.
What Is Voluntary Medical Payments Coverage on Home Insurance?
Voluntary Medical Payments coverage is a type of protection included in many home insurance policies. It helps pay for medical expenses if someone is accidentally injured on your property, even if you are not legally responsible for their injuries. This coverage is meant to help resolve minor accidents quickly and without going through a lengthy legal process.
What Is Covered Under Voluntary Medical Payments on Home Insurance?
If a guest or visitor is hurt while on your property, this coverage can pay for:
- Emergency room visits
- Ambulance services
- X-rays and diagnostic tests
- Surgery or hospital stays
- Dental work caused by the injury
It can also apply if you or a family member unintentionally injure someone elsewhere. For example, if your child accidentally injures another child at a park, your policy may still respond under this coverage.
What Is Not Covered Under Voluntary Medical Payments Coverage?
Voluntary Medical Payments coverage does not cover:
- Injuries to anyone living in your household
- Injuries caused intentionally
- Injuries related to business activities conducted at home
- Injuries resulting from high-risk activities or restricted dog breeds (depending on the policy)
It is also not a replacement for liability insurance. If someone chooses to sue, that would fall under your legal liability coverage, not voluntary payments.
What Is Voluntary Property Damage Coverage on Home Insurance?
Voluntary Property Damage coverage protects you if you or a family member accidentally damage someone else’s property, even if you are not legally required to pay for it. This is common in situations where small accidents occur, and it helps keep things friendly between neighbours, friends, and community members.
What Is Covered Under Voluntary Property Damage on Home Insurance?
This coverage often responds to:
- A child accidentally breaking a neighbour’s window
- You spilling coffee on a friend’s expensive rug
- Damage to borrowed tools or personal items
It helps cover the cost to repair or replace the damaged item up to your policy limit.
What Is Not Covered Under Voluntary Property Damage Insurance?
This coverage has some important exclusions. It does not cover:
- Damage to your own property
- Damage to a vehicle or motorized equipment
- Damage caused intentionally
- Damage related to business or professional activities
- Damage to items owned by members of your household
Some policies may also exclude damage caused by pets, depending on breed or past incidents.
Does Using Voluntary Payments Coverage Affect Your Claims-Free Status?
Generally, no. Most insurers in Canada do not consider voluntary medical payments or voluntary property damage claims when determining your claims-free status or renewal premiums.
These coverages are designed to help with smaller, no-fault incidents and are treated differently from full liability or property damage claims. However, frequent use of this coverage could raise concerns or be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, so it is always wise to check with your broker before making a claim.
How Much Do Voluntary Payment Coverages Cost in a Home Insurance Policy?
The cost of voluntary medical payments and voluntary property damage coverage is usually included in your home insurance policy at no extra charge. Most policies come with standard limits, such as:
- $5,000 to $10,000 for voluntary medical payments
- $500 to $6,000 for voluntary property damage
Higher limits may be available for an additional premium, but many homeowners find the included limits sufficient for common situations.
Are Voluntary Payments Coverages Available to Renters?
Yes, voluntary medical payments and voluntary property damage coverage are commonly included in tenant insurance policies. Just like homeowners, renters can benefit from these coverages when small accidents happen.
Renters often assume these protections are only for homeowners, but tenant insurance is designed to offer the same level of personal liability and voluntary payments support, even if you do not own the property.
Conclusion
While they may not be the most well-known parts of your home insurance policy, voluntary medical payments and voluntary property damage coverages are there to help you handle minor accidents quickly and with less stress. They offer a simple way to make things right without legal disputes or long claims processes.
If you are not sure whether you have these coverages or how much protection they provide, contact your broker for a quick review. At Armour Insurance, we help Albertans understand their policies and feel confident about their protection.
