Insurance for Landlords in British Columbia

A seasonal property, like a cottage or a cabin, requires insurance coverage for the entire year. If you rent out your home on a seasonal basis, the type of coverage you require depends on how you decide to rent it out. If your rental is primarily being rented out, then you should cover it under a landlord policy. If you only rent it out from time to time, contact one of our advisors to make sure you have the best policy to fit your situation. Please remember that your possessions are not covered for theft while your cottage is being rented out to others, and the belongings of any tenants, roomers or boarders are also not covered. They are required to have their own policy in place.

A key reason for landlords to require tenants to purchase renters insurance when they move in is to reduce the exposure to potential legal action. When a tenant does not carry renters insurance, the landlord may actually be held liable in the event that the tenant has a guest visiting, who subsequently injures him/herself and sues for medical compensation. Asking your tenants to carry renters insurance can also act as a good screening tool. If potential renter complaints about the cost or tenants insurance, it could be an indication that the potential tenant may not be able to afford the rent either. Finally, rental insurance also protects the tenants in the event of a claim that gives way to them losing their possessions. Should that happen, renters insurance also provides them with coverage for additional living expenses so they can find alternative accommodation.

If you are just renting out a suite in your primary residence, yes this can be added onto your homeowners policy. However, if you are renting out a place that is not your primary residence, you will need separate landlord insurance for that.

Landlord insurance covers the property itself (and any unit improvements), the landlord’s contents (i.e. appliances, furniture, etc.), loss of rental income, and premise liability. Our landlord insurance policy is customizable to suit your coverage needs.

Even when you think you have found yourself the perfect tenants, the unexpected could happen and your ‘ideal’ tenant could damage your rental property. Should that happen, your landlord insurance may cover the damage they cause, depending on your landlord policy, the type and the extent of the damage caused. Keep in mind, the easiest way to differentiate between what is and isn’t covered is as follows: the property owner’s landlord insurance policy typically covers the structure of the building and the tenant's renters insurance covers the tenant’s personal belongings. And don’t forget, landlord insurance does not provide any coverage for the tenant’s personal belongings, regardless of how the property was damaged.

In order to purchase rented condo/landlord insurance, the unit must be tenanted within 30 days of the policy effective date. Vacant properties pose a greater risk, as nobody would be there to report an incident should one occur, which can lead to further damage. Therefore, vacant condos are not eligible for a standard rented condo policy through our online platform. However if you still wish to purchase insurance prior to your unit being tenanted, give us a call and we will look into separate vacancy insurance options for you.