Insurance for Landlords in British Columbia

Make sure your condo or townhouse is properly insured, and protect your investment

Image of landlord handing keys to renters.

Protect Your Rental Property with Landlord Insurance

We provide important coverage for property owners who rent their property out to others, whether it’s their house, condo, or townhome. Landlord insurance is often referred to as rental property insurance in BC, and as a landlord, you should always be prepared for the unexpected.

While renting out your property to others can be a useful source of income, it is important that landlords protect this revenue source by ensuring they have an insurance policy designed to protect their property and their rental income, should they be confronted with a sudden loss.

Certain homeowner insurance policies provide coverage for renting out a portion of your home but they will usually only do so if the homeowner occupies a portion of that same property. If a landlord decides to rent out the entire property, insurance companies require a Rented Property insurance policy.

Policy Overview

illustration of property owned by landlord which is protected by Landlords insurance.

Property

For those renting out their condo, this part of the coverage provides protection, up to $500,000 for improvements and betterments conducted on their condo unit, should they experience a claim. For those renting out their entire home, this part of the coverage protects the dwelling, up to $1,200,000 on a Replacement Cost basis, as well as any detached private structures up to 10% of the dwelling limit.

illustration of contents protected under landlord insurance.

Landlord's Contents

Whether you’re renting out your Condo or your Home, you need coverage for the possessions you leave in the residence you rent out. This could be anything from the appliances that come with the home, like a washer, dryer, refrigerator, and stove, to a fully furnished house, that comes with numerous couches, tables, beds, dressers, and more. This portion of your Landlord policy provides coverage for those elements.

illustration representing rental income covered under landlords insurance.

Rental Income

Arguably the most important reason why people own a rental property, is to earn additional income from it. But what if your home experiences a flood or a fire, and requires your tenants to be displaced, causing you to lose the rental income? Your Landlord Insurance policy will provide coverage, to a predetermined limit, for the loss of rental income due to a covered loss.

Illustration of a lawyer and contract discussing personal liability for landlord insurance in BC

Premises Liability

Premises liability insurance protects landlords against potential lawsuits that may arise from injuries sustained by visitors to your rental home. Some simple examples may include friends or acquaintances who slip and fall on your stairs. Landlord’s owe a duty of care to their tenants and maintain the come and protect anyone who sets foot on the premises.

Customer Testimonials

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Optional Add-ons and Customizations

Earthquake

To cover any damage caused to your home as a direct result of an earthquake, you can add this coverage to your home insurance policy.

Water Protection

This coverage provides broader water damage protection for loss or damage caused by sewer backup, an overflowing appliance or overland flood from surface water or ground water. This coverage may not be available to all BC residents.

Other Customizations

In addition to a number of add-ons, our online home insurance policy provides a number of flexible customizations. You can set the limits that you want, schedule personal property, and more.

Coverage Details

Our online landlord insurance policy offers comprehensive landlord insurance offering that our BC customers love. It features a series of industry-leading coverages, elevated coverage limits, and it’s backed by superior, locally operated claims service. We have featured some of the key components of our online landlord policy below:

Coverage Type

Amount of Coverage

Condo Protection
$250,000 to $500,000 including Improvements and Betterments, Contingent Coverage and Loss Assessment
Detached Private Structure
Up to 10% of Dwelling Limit
Personal Contents
Up to 70% of Dwelling Limit
Personal Liability
Up to $3,000,000
Identity Theft
Up to $15,000
Sewer Backup
Up to Dwelling Limit - If Eligible
Bicycles
Up to $3,000 Unscheduled
Jewelry, Watches, Gems
Up to $10,000 Unscheduled

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Tips & Tricks

Image of woman sharing advice on how to save on landlord insurance in BC.

Build your claims-free discount

Most insurance carriers provide discounts to those who have gone several years without experiencing an insurance claim.

Pay annually

Paying annually for your premium typically offers savings over monthly financing.

Improve your home security

Make your property more secure with a monitored burglar alarm system. Many insurance carriers will offer you a home security discount as a result.

Frequently asked Questions

I rent my home seasonally. What kid of coverage should I get?

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.

Why should landlords require renters insurance?

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.

Does my homeowners policy cover my rental property?

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.

What does landlord insurance cover?

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.

Does landlord insurance cover tenant damages?

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.

I am looking for Rented Condo/Landlord Insurance, however the unit is not tenanted yet. Can I still purchase insurance before the tenants move in?

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.

Looking to File a Claim?

Our dedicated claims department is committed to making the claims process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Whether you need to file a claim for your home, vehicle, or business, we have the expertise to guide you through the process.

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