Tenant insurance
Protect your belongings against the most common types of losses such as fire, theft and water damage. Get a quote and, if you're eligible, buy your tenant insurance online.
Why should you have tenant insurance?
To protect your belongings
Did you know that your landlord's home insurance doesn't cover your belongings? In the event of theft or fire, your tenant insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing your belongings, such as your furniture, electronic devices and clothes.
To cover your liability
It's included in all home insurance policies. This insurance covers you for unintentional bodily injury or property damage that you cause to a person who doesn't live with you.
To cover your relocation expenses in the event of a loss
If fire damage or some other type of loss makes it impossible for you to live in your apartment for a certain amount of time, your insurance covers your additional living expenses, like hotel costs.
How to choose tenant insurance coverage
Assess the value of your belongings
Take stock of the belongings in your apartment and calculate how much it would cost to replace them. Keep pictures and receipts of each item on that list somewhere safe from any potential damage or loss.
To get started, use the Insurance Bureau of Canada's Personal Property Inventory External link. Opens in a new tab. form.
See if you need optional coverage
Do you live in a basement? Do you have a storage locker? Do you live near a body of water? Do you have valuable items, such as a bike or jewellery? By answering these questions, you'll be able to determine whether you need optional coverage.
Contact us if you need help in choosing your coverage. We'll help you evaluate your insurance needs, based on your situation.
What's covered by our tenant insurance
All-risk insurance covers most losses that can damage your belongings, such as fire, theft, vandalism and accidental water damage.
With our optional coverages, you can supplement your tenant insurance to meet your specific needs.
Select the type of coverage you want or scroll down to find out more.
Included coverages
Liability
This insurance covers you for unintentional bodily injury or property damage that you cause to a person who doesn't live with you, anywhere in the world.
It also covers family members who live with you.
Examples
Liability insurance covers claims against you for incidents like these.
- A fire breaks out in your apartment and spreads to your neighbours' homes
- Your washing machine leaks onto your floor, which damages the apartment below
- Your dog bites a passerby and injures them
What coverage amount should you get?
- Minimum we offer: $1 million
- For added peace of mind: $2 million
- Maximum we offer: $5 million
Contact us to find out what amount is best for you
Fire, theft, vandalism
This insurance covers your belongings and furniture against damage caused by fire, smoke, theft and vandalism.
Example
If you lose your furniture and clothes due to a fire, or if your apartment is burglarized while you're on vacation, we cover the cost of replacing your belongings up to the amount specified in your policy.
If you have to temporarily relocate during repairs
If you have to make alternative living arrangements during repairs, your additional living expenses, like hotel costs, are also covered.
Accidental water damage
Your basic policy can cover some accidental events as long as they're sudden and don't happen repeatedly, such as:
- Damage caused by the breakage of your washing machine hose
- Damage caused by a leak from your water heater, as long as it wasn't excluded from your insurance policy because it was too old
Tornadoes, lightning, freezing rain, hail and wind
This insurance protects the belongings in your apartment from damage caused by tornadoes, lightning, freezing rain, hail and wind.
Example
During a windstorm, a branch smashes through a window and damages your TV. We cover the cost of repairing or replacing the TV.
Fire, smoke or explosion after an earthquake
Endorsement 22b
This coverage protects against damage caused by fires, smoke or explosions caused by an earthquake or other ground movements that may occur after, such as avalanches, landslides or subsidence.
Example
If an earthquake damages your apartment's electrical system and causes a fire, we cover the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged furniture and belongings.
Furniture and belongings
This insurance covers your belongings and furniture up to the amount specified in your policy.
Example
Your bookcase wasn't installed correctly, and it comes crashing down onto your TV and speakers. Your insurance will cover the cost of repairing or replacing these items.
If you have valuable items
There may be limits on the amounts you can claim for certain items, such as jewellery, bikes and works of art. Ask about the limits specific to your policy and, if need be, get additional coverage for what your property is worth.
Optional coverages
Ground water and sewer backup
Endorsement 16c
This coverage offers protection against sudden and accidental damage caused by:
- Water leaks, overflows or backups from places like sewers and septic tanks
- Water coming from, for example, the subsoil drainage pipe and seeping through basement windows, doors or floors
Flood
Endorsement 16d
This insurance covers sudden and accidental damage caused by flooding, meaning the rising or overflow of a body or stream of water, if the water reaches the surface of the ground of the insured premises.
Rain, snow or sleet
Endorsement 42
This insurance covers sudden and accidental damage caused by above ground water.
Accidental water damage
These events occur when:
- Rain or snow seeps through walls, roofs, doors and windows
- Water leaks, backs up or overflows from gutters or downspouts
- The weight of ice, snow or wet snow is too heavy for your building, causing cracks in the roof
Example
Ice has built up on your building's roof edge. Water has accumulated behind these buildups and seeped in through the window, damaging some of your belongings. We cover the damage to your belongings, up to the amount indicated in your policy.
Earthquake
Endorsement 22a
This insurance covers:
- Damage caused by earthquakes
- Damage by other ground movement that might be caused by an earthquake, like avalanches, landslides or subsidence
Example
Your kitchen ceiling collapses following an earthquake. We cover the cost of repairing or replacing your belongings and furniture.
Tips to prevent earthquake damage
- Install clasps on cabinet doors to ensure they remain closed.
- Secure heavy and expensive electronic devices to prevent them from tipping over.
Home-based businesses and short-term rentals
This insurance covers certain commercial or professional activities taking place at your home, such as those of a small home-based business or self-employed worker, or the short-term rental of your apartment, as long as they're mentioned on your policy's Coverage Summary.
Example
If you rent out your apartment on a short-term rental platform, we cover damage to your personal property within the terms of your policy.
Exclusions
Did you know?
Generally speaking, insurance companies don't cover any of the following situations.
Repeated water seepage or leaks
Damage caused by repeated or continuous water seepage or leaks isn't covered.
Example
The pipe under your kitchen sink has been leaking for a few weeks and you've neglected to have it repaired. We don't cover the damage to your personal property.
Landslides, subsidence and other events
Damage caused by avalanches, landslides, subsidence or soil erosion isn't covered unless those events were caused by an earthquake and you have Earthquake coverage (Endorsement 22a).
Damage caused by tidal waves or tsunamis is never covered.
Defects, deterioration, and wear and tear
Defects, wear and tear, and gradual deterioration aren't covered by your insurance policy.
Example
Your 10-year-old refrigerator stops working. The cost of repair or replacement isn't covered.
Damage caused by certain insects and animals
Damage caused by vermin, insects, birds, rodents, raccoons or bats isn't covered.
Example
Mice get into your apartment and damage your furniture. We don't cover its repair or replacement.
FAQ
I'm renting an apartment during my studies. Do I need home insurance?
If you're a full-time student, still dependent on your parents and they have home insurance with us, then your liability and belongings, such as your furniture, clothes and laptop, are covered by their insurance. However, your parents must tell their insurance company where you live and which of your belongings need to be insured.
This coverage could end if you're no longer a full-time student, which means you might need to get tenant insurance.
Can my roommate and I be covered under the same home insurance policy?
Yes, we can cover up to 2 roommates under the same home insurance policy. The cost of your insurance might be lower than if you each took out insurance separately.
How can I save on my tenant insurance premium?
Here are some tips to lower the cost of your tenant insurance.
- Increase your deductible. However, make sure you have the means to pay the deductible in the event of a claim.
- Take advantage of our Double Contract discount by insuring both your car and your home with us.
- Declutter your apartment so you don't buy insurance for things you don't need.
- Prevent incidents. If there are no home insurance claims in your file, you could save on your premium with our Claims-Free discount.
There are many ways to prevent losses such as those involving fire:- Test your smoke detector batteries regularly
- Keep a fire extinguisher easily accessible in your home
- Clean your dryer filter regularly
- Make sure to turn off the burners on your stove when you're done
- Avoid smoking in your home
Contact us
Client Relations Centre
Monday to Friday: 8 AM to 8 PM
Saturday: 8 AM to 4 PM
1-888-277-8726 This link will launch your default phone software.