CNS - Canadian Northern Shield (RSA) Home Insurance Reviews

We were lead to believe through our broker that CNS would be a good company-good bang for the buck. Unfortunately and thru no fault of our own, we had a slow water leak from our dishwasher which sat under our floor until we noticed swelling and buckling to the hardwood. We called and filed a claim. Restoration company did some drying out with fans etc which didn’t work. The adjuster we were assigned worked with us. Very slow process. Poor communication. They did pay the claim but they were only responsible for the first $10,000.00. Our strata insurance picked up the rest and we paid the $1000 deductible. The claim and work ran from Feb-August! We returned home from vacation yesterday and Surprise... the broker contacted us to say we will not be renewed Jan 30th as we have been “dumped” due to a claim in our first year of being their clients. We have carried house insurance for 43 years. Different companies mind you but with the same broker. So, this is very upsetting as we are searching for someone to cover us due to this claim in the last year AND being denied renewal by this CNS company. Very upsetting-very scandalous. When we signed up for coverage by this company last Jan 2019 we were offered a disclaimer if we wished to pay $25 which would prevent us from being hit with an increase in coverage fees should we have a claim in that year. So, again, it sounds like a good deal. Paid the extra $25 but instead of raising our coverage cost they just keep our $25 and DECLINED to reinsure us. Why would a company offer a disclaimer in the first year of being their customer if they won’t cover you if you have a claim! Guess they are pissed due to not being able to increase our coverage costs so they dump us. We have become very conscious of supporting Canadian Companies over the last decade. So when CNS was offered to us we thought, sure, why not. Well, I have given you many reasons “why not”. Beware...

CNS suddenly cancelled our insurance with 2 weeks notice, citing "Underwriting" as the reason. I have no idea what that means. Although they happily took our annual premium for 12 months (approximately $800), they felt that a premium refund of $103.00 for the remaining 4 months was sufficient. However, this appears to be a moot point anyway as they give no indication, when or how this refund will occur.

Somehow after a brief discussion with an insurance representative this company signed me up for their insurance services after I had already chosen to go with another one. I called them and told that I never signed for anything and did not consent. They said there was nothing they could do and were not helpful at all. The following year they charge me again after I have already talked to them expressing I did not want or consent to their services or charges. Now I have to call my credit card company to report their fraudulent charges.