Meloche Monnex (TD Insurance) Home Insurance Reviews

After being with this insurance company for 15 years with no claims, I received a call to informed my that the sewer backup policy will be changing from $100K to $15 K starting 2014. I however will be paying for the same premium. If an incident will ever happen what can $15K fix these days???

From Lethbridge, AB

I was not affected by the calgary flood. Roof blew off in a windstorm in 2011. It took three months for an adjuster to show up and inspect. I was told I had to take action to ensure no further damage but anything I spent may not be covered. In the end all was covered but it took 8 months for their contractor to replace the roof. I had a minor sewer back up due to a collapsed city sewer line. Quick response but poor cleanup by their contractor. I completed the cleanup myself. A registered letter has arrived saying that they will not renew my insurance next month.

Some of my family members in Calgary have the platinum home coverage through TD. Their policies state they are covered for flooding due to sewer back up. Their basements had to be gutted after the flood last month due to extensive damage from sewer back up. It took almost two weeks for an adjuster to contact them (conveniently, about the amount of time it took them to clean up) and then they were told they wouldn't be covered because their basements have windows! The adjuster told them not to worry, if TD doesn't cover them the government will! They're happy to take your money for premiums, but don't want to honour their policies. Sounds like a scam to me.

Last year my basement was damaged due to sewer back up and water seeped in from foundation due to sump pump failure. Claim was denied. Only few clients were impacted so TD denied all the claims. Now TD is covering same type of claims in Calgary and High River only due to media pressure and their competitors are covering claims.

I should have gone to media at that time. I need to find a good lawyer and file a publice interest petition against this organization who changes it's stand on daily basis.

I decided to go with TD 2 years ago. Find out that my premium has doubled in 2 years. Live in Winnipeg. Sorry what happened in Calgary and Toronto, TD. My $50,000 sewer backup is now $5,000. Over $1200 a year plus taxes for a 1220 sq. ft. house. $1000 deductible to boot. Been claims free for 16 years now. Can do a heck of a lot better than this elsewhere.

Confirmed with their agent over the phone that even the most expensive package (platinum) does not cover water damage from flooding, and the only water damage they cover is from sewer backup. I was very surprised to hear this and will not be renewing my policy.

I recently reviewed the insurance on 3 properties and they all have increased on average 15% per year over the last 5 years. This increase is not in line with inflation and when questioned I am given the same response that they made a calculating error in their policies causing an disproportionate increase in claims. Furthermore my coverage is decreasing and limits are being set which no longer provide adequate insurance. My sewer backup limit has dropped to $15K from $61K and my premium for this coverage increased $12. Being familiar with the cost of claims I am well aware that $15K will likely only cover the cost of tearing a basement apart and drying it up but leave nothing for restoration or contents. I called to ask why my policy was amended and now under-insured and was told that all policies are now capped at $15K for sewer backup unless I purchase additional insurance. All 3 properties are rated by TDMM as a category 3 risk for sewer backup however the cost to increase coverage from 15K to 50K varies from $35 - $78 per year. They could not answer why the cost for the additional $35K of coverage would vary for properties in the same city, geographical region and risk group.
They also informed me it is my responsibility to know my insurance needs and they can change rates and coverage at any time.
In short I no longer trust TDMM as they are not looking out for me and helping me manage my risk but only care about their risk and their bottom line. If you are not an insurance expert I would stay away from TDMM as their policies are not designed to help you in your time of need.
BTW 10 years insured and never a claim.