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Do I need landlord insurance if I’m only renting out rooms or a separate section of my home (like a basement suite)?
Yes. If you’re renting out part of your home, whether it’s a basement suite, a secondary unit, or just a few rooms, you’ll need a home insurance policy that includes a rental suite. This type of policy is essentially landlord insurance built into your home insurance.
It makes sure you’re protected not only for the usual risks to your home, but also for tenant-related exposures, such as liability claims or damage caused by renters. This way, both your living space and your rental space are properly covered under one policy.
How much does landlord insurance cost?
You can get a quick online quote with InsureBC and adjust your coverage limits to see how it affects your premium. It’s a great way to explore your options and find a policy that fits your budget.
Keep in mind, the final cost depends on factors like the location, value of the rental unit, and coverage selections (such as liability, loss of rental income, or water damage).
If your rental is a strata property, we strongly recommend reviewing your strata documents especially the strata’s insurance deductible amounts for things like water damage, sewer backup, or earthquakes. Matching your landlord insurance limits to those deductibles ensures you're not left paying out-of-pocket if a claim falls back on you as the unit owner.
What is landlord insurance?
Landlord insurance is a policy designed for property owners who rent out their home, condo, or investment property. Unlike standard home insurance, which assumes you live in the property, landlord insurance recognizes the unique risks of renting. It protects against damage to the building, loss of rental income, liability claims, and optional add-ons like earthquake or sewer backup coverage.
What does renters insurance cover?
Three core protections:
- Personal property: Reimburses you for lost, stolen, or damaged belongings like clothing, furniture, appliances, and electronics. Coverage usually applies even if items are stolen outside your home (e.g., from your car).
- Personal liability: Protects you if you accidentally injure someone or cause damage to their property.
- Additional living expenses: Pays for hotel stays, meals, and other costs if your rental unit becomes uninhabitable after a covered loss, such as a fire or major water damage.
Is renters insurance required in BC?
Renters insurance is not legally required by law in BC. However, many landlords and property managers now make it a mandatory condition of the lease. Even when not required, carrying renters insurance is strongly recommended because:
- It ensures you can recover the cost of your belongings after a fire, theft, or other loss.
- It protects you from potentially large liability claims (which can be tens of thousands of dollars).
- It covers temporary housing costs if you’re forced out of your rental.
Are renters insurance and liability insurance the same?
No. Liability insurance is just one part of a renters policy. It protects you if you unintentionally cause damage or injury to others.
Renters insurance, however, goes beyond liability. It also protects your:
- Belongings – so you’re not paying out of pocket to replace them after a fire, theft, or other covered event.
- Living expenses – if you need to move out temporarily while your rental is repaired.
Think of it this way: liability coverage protects others, while renters insurance protects you and your lifestyle.
Are there any discounts available on ICBC auto insurance?
Yes, drivers can take advantage of several ICBC discounts such as good driving record, safe driver discount and low-risk vehicle discount.
Can I switch between ICBC auto coverage plans?
Yes, you can switch between ICBC auto insurance plans at any time. However, you may incur additional charges or fees if you want to make changes to your existing policy. Read more: https://www.icbc.com/insurance/Pages/FAQs.aspx
Can the policy be transferred to a family member?
Yes! If you transfer ownership to any of your immediate family members mid-term, your policy can be transferred to the new owner. The recipient of your vehicle would keep the same policy number, effective and expiry date.
Can the policy be transferred to a new vehicle?
Yes! If you purchase a new vehicle while mid-term in your current policy, we can process a transfer of the policy to your new vehicle. This will generate a new policy, with a new policy number, effective and expiry date. Any unused portion of the premium for your previous policy can be applied to the new insurance premium as transfer credit.
Do I have to buy New Vehicle Replacement insurance when I buy my car, or can I get it later on?
Our unique eligibility guidelines allow for any vehicle that is 5 years old or newer to qualify for New Car Replacement coverage. That means you are not required to have just recently purchased your vehicle to qualify and can purchase a policy any time between your vehicle being brand new, and 5 model years old. There is also no kilometre restriction, just as long as your vehicle has not been driven on average more than 40,000 km a year since it was new.
Do I have to buy the same vehicle as I had previously?
No, after a total loss you are not required to buy the same vehicle as you had previously. You are more than welcome to choose a different or better vehicle, or even take the cash settlement if you’d like, however we will only pay up to the replacement value of the same make, model, and trim package as the vehicle that you had previously. It will be in the most current model year.
How do I get started with professional liability insurance with InsureBC?
To get started, you can fill in the quote form on our website, or contact your local office to discuss your specific needs. We'll tailor a policy that’s right for you.
How much does Professional Liability Insurance Cost in BC?
A Professional Liability policy is not nearly as expensive as people think. Depending on the type of service your company offers, a policy can start as low as $700 annually. Please contact one of our 90 locations for a free, no-obligation quote for E&O insurance.
Why do I need professional liability insurance?
Professional liability insurance gives you peace of mind that your business has protection against potential legal costs related to a claim. It also helps protect your assets, employees, and reputation should any allegations be made against you or your organization.
What types of risks does D&O liability protect against?
D&O policies typically cover negligence related claims against individual directors and officers related to financial loss caused by mismanagement, errors in judgement etc., libel/slander claims arising out of publications made within the scope of their corporate role; breach fiduciary duty claim which arise when there has been a failure by the insured person(s) to carry out their legal duties; securities litigation claiming that false information was given to the public through a press release or other form of announcement; and wrongful employment practices such as breach of contract, discrimination, sexual harassment etc.
When should I get D&O insurance?
As soon as you become a director or officer in a business, it’s important to consider getting this coverage. In some industries such as finance or health care organizations are required by law to have certain levels of D&O insurance in order to operate.
What types of Home-Based Business Insurance policies are available?
We offer a range of home-based business insurance policies, including Liability, Property and Business Interruption coverage.
What is the Waiting/Elimination Period?
The Waiting/Elimination Period is the time between when an injury or illness occurs and when benefits from your insurance policy begin to pay out. This period can vary from a few days to several months, depending on the plan you choose.
What does the Benefit Period specify in Disability Insurance?
The Benefit Period determines the duration of benefits you will receive upon approval of a disability claim. While many long-term disability insurance plans offer benefits until age 65, it's important to note that benefit periods may vary across different plans. For detailed information about your policy, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
What factors determine my benefit amount?
Your benefit amount will depend on the type of disability insurance policy, occupation class, and benefit period you choose. Generally, the benefit amount is capped at around 65% of your gross income and can be set up as non-taxable. Contact our InsureBC advisors to discuss a personalized plan tailored to your unique needs.
What is an occupation class?
Occupation classes, categorized from 1 to 5, indicate the level of risk involved with your job. Class 1 represents the highest risk, and class 5 indicates the lowest risk. If you are not sure about which occupation class do you belong to, contact our InsureBC advisors who will help you determine the best option to suit your individual needs.
What is disability insurance?
Investing in disability insurance allows you to secure your income, maintain your lifestyle, and meet your financial commitments without depleting your savings or retirement funds in case of unexpected injury or illness.
Who gets the money from a life insurance claim?
The money from a life insurance claim, or the death benefit, is usually received by the beneficiaries named in the life insurance policy. The payment is tax-free and can help provide financial support during a difficult time.
Who needs visitor medical insurance for Canada?
All visitors to Canada, including tourists, international students, and temporary workers, should consider purchasing visitor insurance for Canada to protect themselves from unexpected medical expenses.
What is visitor insurance for Canada?
Visitor insurance for Canada is a type of travel insurance that provides medical coverage for visitors to Canada who require emergency medical care during their trip.
Can I purchase travel insurance after I've already booked my trip?
Yes, you can often purchase travel insurance after you've already booked your trip. However, some coverage options may be limited or unavailable if you wait too long to purchase a policy. It's best to purchase travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your trip to ensure maximum coverage.
What does travel insurance typically cover?
Travel insurance can cover a wide range of events, including trip cancellation or interruption, medical emergencies, evacuation or repatriation, lost or stolen baggage, and more. The specific coverage options can vary depending on the provider and plan you choose. Contact your broker for more details.
Can I get a travel insurance quote online?
Yes, you can often get a travel insurance quote online by filling out a form with your trip details and coverage preferences. InsureBC offers an online quote tool for travel insurance, making it easy to get a quote quickly and conveniently.
Why do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance can help protect you financially in case of unexpected events during your trip. Without travel insurance, you could be responsible for paying out of pocket for medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost or stolen baggage, and more. Travel insurance can provide peace of mind and help you avoid significant financial losses.
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