Tenant Insurance Abbotsford

While most renters tend to think that they are covered under their landlord's rental policy, this is not actually the case. Your landlord's insurance will only cover their property, which means that you will have to purchase tenant insurance in order to protect your personal belongings. As an Abbotsford insurance agency, Mountainview Insurance carries a range of different renter's insurance policies, making it easy to compare and find the best policy options for your unique requirements. Get in touch with the expert insurance brokers from Mountainview Insurance today to get a free tenant insurance quote.

What is Tenant Insurance?

Tenant insurance or renter's insurance works by providing coverage for a renter's personal property in the event that it is stolen, destroyed, or accidentally damaged. Depending on the type of policy you choose, renter's insurance may also provide liability coverage and financial protection if someone is accidentally injured or if their property is unintentionally damaged while in the rental property. While purchasing tenant insurance is not mandatory in BC, renters should strongly consider getting a variety of different quotes for personal liability and contents insurance in order to find the best policy.

The Importance of Tenant Insurance

When choosing whether or not to purchase tenant insurance, it is important to keep in mind that your personal property is not covered under your landlord's insurance policy. This means that, without renter's insurance, your property will not be covered if it is stolen, damaged, or destroyed. No matter what kind of personal items you own, having the right kind of tenant insurance will ensure that your property is covered in the event of an insurable peril. Tenant renter's insurance also provides coverage for additional living expenses if you are forced to leave your home due to a serious loss.

Types of Tenant Insurance

Some of the different types of insurance policies that renters can choose from include:

Personal Property Coverage

Personal property coverage is designed to help cover the cost needed to replace items that have been unexpectedly damaged or ruined. This type of renter's insurance only applies to certain risks or perils, such as fire or theft, that are outlined in the policy. When purchasing tenant insurance, it is important to keep in mind that not all belongings may be covered under this policy and that other items—jewelry, coin collections, etc.—will only be covered up to certain amount. Make sure to consult with an insurance broker about whether or not you should purchase additional coverage to help protect specific items that are not protected under a standard policy.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage protects you from having to pay for certain costs, such as medical bills, out of pocket in the event that you are found legally responsible for injuring someone or causing damage to their property. Similar to other types of tenant insurance policies, liability coverage will protect you for covered losses and will only pay up to a set amount, as outlined in your policy. Make sure to carefully read your insurance quote and to ask your insurance provider about the limits outlined in the policy.

Additional Living Expenses

Most tenant insurance policies include coverage for additional living expenses if you have to leave your house due to an insured peril. This type of coverage can help cover the cost of hotel bills and food while you are unable to live in the home you are renting.

Tenant Insurance from Mountainview Insurance

The expert team from Mountainview Insurance in Abbotsford, BC offers a wide range of different tenant insurance policies at competitive rates and with discounts. If you are looking to get a free quote on tenant insurance, get in touch with us today. Our friendly team members would be more than happy to help you choose the best coverage options for specific situation.

Frequently Asked Tenant Insurance Questions

Is tenant insurance required in BC?

While tenant insurance is not required by law in BC, it is strongly recommended for every renter. Some landlords may also require it before agreeing to rent their property out to a tenant, making it a mandatory requirement for many apartments, basement suites, or homes.

How much does tenant insurance cost in BC?

Tenant insurance pricing will vary based on several different factors including the amount of coverage you need/want and the additional options you choose. The experienced team at Mountainview Insurance will work with you to help you select the perfect options for your needs.

Is tenant insurance worth it?

In most cases, yes. While landlords may have an insurance policy for the property, this will not cover your belongings should they be damaged by fire, water, or a natural disaster. Purchasing tenant insurance is the best way to ensure that your belongings are fully protected.

Does tenant insurance cover damage to my landlord’s property?

If a landlord is renting their property out, they likely have their own insurance policy to cover any damage to the physical structure of the building. Your renters’ insurance policy is meant to cover your belongings and provide liability coverage. The best way to think of this difference is that your landlord insures the outside of the home and the key structural elements while you insure the items within it.

What is not covered by tenant insurance?

While tenant insurance offers coverage for many situations, there are a few things it does not cover. In most cases, tenant insurance will not cover:

• Vehicle theft or damage - While the personal items you keep inside your vehicle may be covered, the vehicle itself is not. If your vehicle is stolen or damaged, this will be an issue related to your car insurance policy.
• Your roommate’s property - Your policy does not automatically extend to protect everyone who lives in the same space. More than one person can be named in a policy, but this is often not recommended because a roommate’s claim can affect your premiums.
• Flood damage – Flood and water damage are typically not covered by tenant insurance as they are issues related to home insurance policies.
• Bed bugs and pests - Costs associated with pest removal are not typically covered by renter insurance policies.

What can happen if I do not have tenant insurance?

Without a tenant insurance policy, you could lose all of your belongings and be left without a place to live for weeks or months, requiring you to rely on savings to cover hotel or temporary living expenses. You will then be left with the entire replacement cost of all your items including clothing, electronics, furniture, dishes/cookware, and more.

What is tenant liability coverage?

Liability coverage is included with most tenant insurance policies. This coverage provides financial protection if you unintentionally cause bodily injury or property damage to others. Examples of bodily injury or property damage include:

• A guest slips on a spill on your floor and injures their leg.
• Your oven catches fire, damaging your home/unit and part of your neighbour's home/unit.

How does tenant insurance differ from other types of home insurance?

While most types of home insurance policies are designed to provide coverage for the home’s structural elements, tenant insurance covers the items inside of the home. These items can include clothing, furniture, appliances, cookware, electronics, jewelry, and more. If you live in an apartment building and another tenant causes a fire that damages the whole building, you would be able to claim damage done to your personal property. You may also be able to claim some living expenses should the damage require you to live somewhere else while repairs are being made.

---