Tenant Insurance

Protect yourself and your belongings with tenant insurance

Many residents lose their belongings due to unexpected events, such as fire or flood.  Without tenant insurance, you are required to pay to replace your belongings and pay for any property damage you may have caused. When you live with low income, these unexpected costs may be unmanageable and tenant insurance can offer protection and peace of mind during stressful times.

Many renters believe that their landlord’s insurance will protect them in the event of a fire or flood. This is a common misconception and likely why more than half of Canadian renters do not have tenant insurance (TD Insurance 2021 Tenant Insurance Survey).

Tenant insurance provides coverage for the cost to repair or replace your belongings, such as clothing, furniture and electronics that may be damaged in a fire or flood. It also covers living expenses if you are temporarily displaced from your home.

How much does tenant insurance cost?

The cost of tenant insurance depends on many things, including the location of your residence, how much coverage you need, if you have a history of previous insurance claims, and other factors.

It is recommended to call a few different insurance providers to compare coverage amounts, your deductible in the event of a claim, and your monthly fee. For a one to two-bedroom apartment in Ontario, you can expect to pay between $12 to $40 per month, depending on the level of coverage and deductible.

Tenant insurance is not mandatory, but some landlords - including non-profit and co-operative community housing providers - may require it as part of your lease or housing agreement and may ask you to provide confirmation of your policy.

Your insurance fees may be covered

If you are in receipt of Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), the cost of your tenant insurance may be covered under your shelter allowance. If your total monthly shelter expenses (i.e., rent and utilities) are less than the maximum monthly shelter allowance, speak with your caseworker to include your tenant insurance expense in your shelter allowance.

Contact different insurance providers for a quote and ask questions like:

• How much insurance should I buy?
• What is my monthly fee?
• What does my policy cover in the event of a claim?
• What is my deductible and how does it work?
• Are there any discounts you can offer me?

Why do I need tenant insurance?

   Click the image to follow Ben and Sophie's stories & learn why tenant insurance is an important tool in case of unexpected events. 

Resources

The Insurance Bureau of Canada can answer questions about tenant insurance (but does not provide insurance itself). For more information, email consumercentre@ibc.ca or call 1-800-384-2880.

The Housing Services Corporation (HSC) is a non-profit organization that supports the sustainability of community housing. It offers a tenant insurance program exclusively for community housing residents and other rent-geared-to-income (RGI) tenants.

Durham Region's Renter's Toolkit includes a printable resource called What is tenant insurance? that includes things to consider when you are thinking about buying insurance.

Are you concerned about the additional cost of tenant insurance? Filing your taxes may provide you with additional monthly income to help with your expenses. Find information about filing your taxes, including a list of free income tax clinics in Durham Region, at File Your Taxes - Region of Durham.