Wawanesa Home Insurance Reviews

I've had home insurance with Wawanesa for about 2 years now. I recently submitted a claim for the first time. The representative was very slow to get back to me, and when she finally did, she told me that Wawanesa wouldn't cover the source of the claim, they would only cover what was damaged as a result of the source. So, if a dishwasher leaks or roof caves in, I am to presume that they won't cover the dishwasher or roof, but will only cover other things damaged by the incident. What am I paying insurance for then?? Their low costs are not worth it if they won't cover you. When I asked the Wawanesa rep to clarify why the source of the incident isn't covered, she wouldn't answer my questions. Very unimpressed, and I will be looking for insurance elsewhere.

If you do not use their contractor of choice for repairs, they will do everything in their power to make the experience as difficult as possible!

Worst company ever, beware would not recommend this to anyone, I was with them for 12 years and I had my first claim, they dragged me through the mud for 4 1/2 months then they denied my claim, now I need to go through a lawyer which will continue to drag. Worst customer service, ignorant, rude, horrible employees, Irene and Heather were the most horrible people I could have dealt with. Heather put my claim on hold for 1 month because she had a family emergency, never told us, didn’t return our calls and just horrible experience and people all around!!!

I had equipment breakdown coverage. This March my furnace died in -35 degree weather. I had my furnace replaced while I was at work. Wawanesa denied my claim because I was supposed to have known that I was to buy many space heaters until the part for the furnace that may have fixed it could be flown in 5 days later. No mention of paying the huge electric bill I would have had though they said they would have reimbursed for the heaters. I have pets and cannot imagine being expected to have to heat my house unsafely this way. No number of space heaters would have prevented my pipes from freezing. The fire risk would have been high and stressful when I would have to go to work. Now my renewal came on Friday, Sept 11th due to being paid by Sept 15th. Four days of which I had to work all of them. Seems they delayed letting the insurance broker have the renewals in a timely manner. Crooks, because if people don't jump to pay they would have no coverage and the 4-day time frame makes people rush to pay without thinking it through. I will be without insurance for a few days because I want to check out my options even though I will pay more. Pay over $1000 thinking I have coverage knowing they will find any excuse not to pay out or go with another company and pay more for insurance that is actually usable.

They are scam artists and fraudulent and should be arrested! My parents have overland coverage and seepage. Their basement flooded due to 4 inches of rain in a matter of 2 hours and they won't cover it even though they paid for it! It has been appealed twice already. All they care about is the money coming in! Not their customers!

I had this insurance company for 15 years for house insurance. We had hail damage to the roof twice. The first time they told us that there was no damage to the shingles, but there was damage to the eaves trough on one side and damage to the soffits. Would not pay for hail damage to the roof. Estimated damage to tin to be $900.00. Second storm a few years later. Again no apparent damage from hail to my roof. They said the damage was to shingles was done by the shinglers when the house was built. Interestingly all my neighbour's houses, behind, beside, and across the street all had their shingles replaced, some of them after both storms. They had other insurance companies covering their homes. I’m now paying the bill myself after they took my money for 15 years. I had two professional shinglers with over 35 years of experience inspecting the roof to confirm it was hail damage.

30 Year homeowner, with one previous claim. I went forward to put forth my second claim, only to be sent on wild goose chases, on quotes, estimates, reasons for caused damage etc. Only to come out with a declined claim. The same issue happened with the first claim, finally got the first one approved. Terrible adjusters who have little to no customer service skills. She even mentioned for me to read the "small print" on the policy. Just an awful experience! PLEASE if you read this switch your insurance provider today. Don't wait. After reading the other reviews I wish I would have changed YEARS ago. Excessive heat (by a fireplace malfunction, high winds and weather) caused damage to the exterior of the home. Any excessive heat or cold in which causes damage is not covered unless it's a fire inside or outside of the home.

Wawanesa just cancelled my home insurance policy and gave me 1 week's notice because I advised them well in advance (as I wanted to be honest) of a short term rental in my home (it was within the limits of what they allow for short term rentals). I have used this company for decades and paid handsomely (they are at least 30% higher than most insurance companies). They held up the process for approval leaving me in an awkward situation and then pulled the plug. I have NEVER had one claim with them. They gave this excuse: your tenants never care about your home the way you do and we don't want the responsibility. THANKS, WAWANESA, I'm glad I helped you get rich while homeowners pay through the roof (literally and for what?) for years and no flexibility in your coverage. My home is rented through an international rental agency which also insists that the tenant has their own insurance. So even with that... BIG NO, can't help you, your policy is terminated in one week. Horrible company. Bad customer service on top of it. They promote short term rentals on their website. Isn't this false advertising?

I have had Wawanesa Insurance for over 12 years plus with one claim. I have four different policies: two homes and two auto insurance. In 2019 one of my homes was smoke damaged and I am still waiting to settle my case. An adjuster was unprofessional, horrible customer service. It was in the middle of winter in northern Alberta with three young children and no help from Wawanesa. I had to do what I had to do, anyway, there's a lot more to this story, but I wouldn't recommend to my worse enemy to Wawanesa. And I am actually going public to CBC GO PUBLIC! So they don't do anyone to what they did to me...

What a surprise... After being a customer for nearly 20 years, claims-free, never late with payments, I received my house insurance renewal policy that went up by 128.45% year over year. I contacted my broker to see if there was a mistake and the answer I received was "this is the new amount". No reason or rationale provided. I filed a complaint with the Wawanesa ombudsman but to no avail. I was told that an increase in rates does not constitute a complaint. I was informed that my concern will be forwarded to a supervisor. I called my broker again this week for an update (Wawanesa does not deal/talk to their customers one has to go through the broker) but they had the same answer for me. Now, this is no longer about the $ - it is about the principle. I will switch the insurance provider and will warn customers not to deal with this company. I will see if a media outlet will take this on as well. Poor, poor customer service. I regret that I paid in all of those years!