Tenant insurance self-check
Learn what a typical tenant policy covers, what to check in your own policy, and what to ask a licensed broker. This page does not recommend a policy or an insurer.
What a typical tenant policy covers
Your belongings (contents)
Furniture, clothing, electronics and other belongings, if they are damaged, destroyed or stolen. Limits and conditions vary. Ask: Is it replacement cost or actual cash value, and what is the total limit?
Liability (injury or damage you cause to others)
Costs if you are found responsible for injury to someone else or damage to their property, for example a fire that starts in your unit and spreads. Ask: What is my liability limit, and does it cover my guests and my pets?
Additional living expenses
Hotel and meal costs if your unit cannot be lived in after a covered loss. Ask: How long does this cover, and is there a daily or total limit?
Theft
Stolen belongings, including sometimes items taken away from home. Some policies limit theft from unattended vehicles or outside the unit. Ask: Is theft away from home covered, and are there limits?
Water damage and sewer back-up
Damage from a burst pipe in your unit is often covered. Water that backs up through drains or sewers is often an add-on or has a lower limit. Ask: Is sewer back-up included, and is there a sub-limit?
Valuables limits
Jewellery, electronics, bicycles and collectibles often have lower limits than the total contents limit, unless you schedule them separately. Ask: Do any of my valuables need to be listed separately?
Deductible
The amount you pay toward each claim before the insurer pays. Ask: What is my deductible per claim, and does it change for water or theft claims?
Often not covered: check these
- Flood or overland water. This is often a separate policy or add-on.
- The building and its fixtures. The landlord's insurance usually covers these, not yours.
- Vehicles, which are covered by auto insurance, not tenant insurance.
- Business equipment or stock if you run a business from home.
- Property of roommates or other people, unless they are listed or insured separately.
- Damage caused by pets. Ask whether it is covered under liability.
Check your lease
Ask whether the lease requires tenant insurance, what liability limit it asks for, and whether you must give the landlord proof of cover. Read that wording carefully before you sign.
Self-check
Tick what you have already confirmed. The ticks are for your own reference only and are not saved or sent.
Ticks you have not confirmed mean there is something to ask about before you sign or buy.
Next: check your lease terms
The lease check covers rent, deposit, notice, pets, utilities, parking and repairs, with points to confirm before you sign.
Tenant lease check