Tenant insurance for renters
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Get contents and liability coverage for renters online
Living in a basement apartment or high-rise condo rental? Make sure you’re covered with rental insurance. Available across Canada, from
What is renters insurance?
Tenant insurance (or renters insurance) is a policy designed for people who are renting or leasing the place they live in. It’s a type of personal property insurance that offers coverage for anyone who doesn’t own the building or unit they’re living in. Renter's insurance includes tenant liability, coverage for personal items in your rental and more. This differs from
Why do I need tenant insurance?
Living in a rental apartment or condo, the stuff you put inside it is what makes it your home. Your landlord’s insurance policy doesn’t offer tenants contents insurance or personal liability coverage. With renters insurance you can protect your personal belongings and be covered for additional living expenses if you can’t live in your rental unit. Tenant insurance also includes personal liability, an important coverage for any renter to have.
What does tenant insurance cover?
Tenant insurance coverage protects more than just your belongings. Here’s a breakdown of the coverages you could find on a renters insurance policy. The coverage you choose for your tenant policy will be based on your personal situation. This includes how much stuff you have and the type of house, condo, or apartment you’re renting. Make sure you know what’s included in your tenant insurance policy and what’s not.
Standard tenant insurance coverages
Protect yourself and the people in your home in case you’re sued with tenant liability insurance. You’re covered if someone gets hurt while visiting or for damage you may unintentionally cause.
This protects property you own that you could pack in a bag or put in a moving truck. It’s often called contents insurance for renters. Things like your clothing, electronics, furniture, etc. are covered. And, they’re covered while they’re on your property or temporarily removed (like when you’re travelling to work – or out of the country).
In case something happens and you can’t live in your rental – you’re covered while your unit is being repaired. Choose to stay in a hotel or with friends and family, we’ll provide you with the cash either way.
You’re covered for the cost of any damage to improvements you’ve made to your rental unit to make it your own. This could be built-in closet organizers or unique light fixtures.
This covers you and anyone else on your policy in case your identity is stolen. We’ll reimburse you for legal fees as well as certain other costs that could happen, up to a limit. These could include lost wages if you have to take time off work to sort it out, and payment for services that help you get back to where you need to be.
Additional tenant insurance coverages
This coverage can help in some smelly situations. If water backs up or escapes into your rental unit through a sewer, sump, septic tank, or floor drain, this will cover you for the damage caused. Coverage offered depends on eligibility.
You’re covered for damage to your home caused by fresh water, such as excessive rain, spring run-off and melting snow, coming in at ground level through windows and doors. Coverage offered depends on eligibility.
Why buy tenant insurance with Sonnet?
Self-serve
Log in anytime to manage your account, access your policy, update your coverages and more.
Express claims
On top of our 24/7 claims support, you have the option of an express claim for small losses.
Customer satisfaction
Online doesn’t have to mean on-your-own. Our licensed Insurance Agents are here to help. Email, chat or call our fully-licensed agents and experience our top-quality customer care for yourself.
How much does renters insurance cost?
$382/year is the median cost of tenant insurance with Sonnet in Canada. Get renters insurance for the average cost of two concert tickets.
How is my tenant insurance quote calculated?
The cost of renters’ insurance will depend on your unique info. An insurance company will base a quote on how much coverage you need, the property type, the location of your rental unit and your claims history.
How to get the best tenant insurance prices
Want a cheaper price on your insurance? It’s simple! When you get a tenant insurance quote with Sonnet, we combine your unique information with our analytics to build our best price just for you – savings automatically included. Here are a few ways you could save on your renters insurance and more:
Multi-location
Insuring more than one property could qualify you for a multi-location saving.
Bundle home and auto
Save more when you bundle your
Canadian University & College grad discount
Get a juicy discount if you’re a graduate or a student of an eligible
Employee and Group discounts!
We are partnered with more than 2,000 organizations! You can save if you’re a member of an eligible association, an
Claims free
No claims in the last 5 years? This could mean extra cash in your pocket.
Get more with Sonnet Connect
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How to protect yourself with tenant insurance
Renters insurance is something many tenants think they don't need – until they do. Whether you're getting a tenant insurance quote for your first apartment or looking to switch, follow these key steps to make sure you're fully protected:
Step 1. Make sure you have enough contents insurance. Make a list of everything you own and select a personal belongings coverage limit that will fully cover it. Some of your more expensive stuff may need special coverage, so be sure to add it if you have any high value items.
Step 2. Keep a high enough liability limit. A limit of at least $1 million is recommended to protect you if you injure someone or damage their property, or are responsible to pay for unintentional damage to your rental property.
Step 3. Consider anyone else living with you. Your spouse and children living with you are automatically covered under your tenant policy. Roommates aren’t covered. They’ll have to get their own policy to cover their stuff.
Step 4. Add important optional coverages. Even if you live in an apartment or condo, your stuff could still be damaged by water or a backed-up sewer - especially if you live in a basement or have a storage locker. It's a good idea to add overland water and sewer backup coverage just in case.
Step 5. Update your policy when things change. Certain life events – like a move or getting a fancy engagement ring – can affect your insurance. Let your insurer know as soon as they happen to make sure you're fully protected.
Need to update your tenant policy or maybe you want to bundle your
Questions about tenant insurance? We've got your back
Insuring your stuff should be simple. We’ve made getting a
Your spouse or common-law partner and your kids are already covered by your policy. Anyone else who is living with you and is also on your lease can be added to your tenant policy to share coverage. To do this, just add them as a tenant when you buy your tenant insurance online.
If you’ve already purchased and want to add them to your existing Sonnet policy, log in to your account and click on your tenant policy. Select the Tenants tab and click Add a tenant.
Here are the details you’ll need to have ready for your roommate:
- Their full name
- Their date of birth
- Their email address
- Their phone number
Once all of this has been entered, click Add. Your policy documents will update to include their name.
In Canada, the average cost of renters insurance is $30/month which totals around $360 per year, give or take.2
Insurance companies calculate the cost of tenant insurance based on unique things like:
- Where your rental is located and the property type
- The age of the home and the condition that it’s in
- Insurance history like past claims
- Age, credit score (if applicable), etc.
Based on this information and a whole lot of insurance math, you’ll get a price for tenant insurance that’s just for you! Not ready to commit just yet? No problem, start by getting a quote to lock in your price for 45 days or until the coverage start date (whichever comes first).
It’s easy to get a tenant insurance quote with Sonnet. Simply start a home quote, answer a few questions and customize your coverage, then you’re all set. You can buy your policy now or if you’re not ready yet, we’ll save your quote for 45 days (as long as no changes are made) or until your selected coverage start date (whichever occurs first).
Yes, there are coverage limitations for certain belongings. Some personal belongings fall into a category called standard limits. These items or covered up to a fixed-dollar limit and these limits cannot be increased. Things like business property, gift cards and spare auto parts fall into the standard limits category.
You’ll see a full list of items in the standard limit category when you complete a tenant insurance quote. If you’re already a home customer – find the list in your policy wording document.
Learn how your
The cost of tenant insurance is based on several factors such as public information about the place you’re renting and your personal information. Here are things can impact your rate:
- Where your rental is located
- Home structure, age, type of heating, etc.
- Number of past insurance claims
- Information about you (age, credit score if applicable, etc.)
Using this information and a whole lot of math and statistics, you get the most competitive price – savings included. The whole process takes just minutes and the price you’re quoted is final. Buy online right away or save your quote and lock in your price for 45 days or until the coverage start date (whichever is sooner).
No, tenant insurance, like home insurance, isn’t mandatory by law in Canada. However, some landlords may
Imagine this scenario: your laptop gets stolen while you’re moving. Or a friend sues you for getting hurt while they were visiting your home. You’ll be glad that you have tenant insurance for just-in-case-situations.