In 2025, the average rate for tenant insurance in Québec is about $36 per month. Of course, this amount can vary quite a bit depending on factors like the value of your personal belongings and the neighbourhood you live in. (To get your exact tenant insurance price, you can get a quote with Sonnet in just a few minutes!)

Curious about how much your tenant insurance would cost? We’re here to explain the factors that influence this amount to help you choose the right coverage for your needs.

What influences the cost of tenant insurance?

Value of personal belongings

The total value of your personal belongings directly affects your tenant insurance rate. To figure out the coverage you need, you’ll simply have to calculate the replacement value of your belongings. This is a vital step to get the right protection without overpaying to insure your home or apartment.

Location of your home

Where your home is located plays a big role in figuring out the monthly cost of your tenant insurance. Neighbourhoods considered higher risk for theft or other incidents often mean higher rates, so where you live directly impacts what you’ll pay.

Type of home and features

The type of home you live in is also a factor in your insurance rate. Here’s a few different options for comparison:

• Apartment: generally cheaper to insure
• Condo: may need specific coverage
• House: often more expensive to insure

Remember: Having security systems in your home, whether it's an apartment or a house, can lower your insurance costs!

Deductible

Choosing a higher deductible can lower your monthly premium. However, make sure you pick an amount you can afford to pay if you make a claim. This means finding the right balance between your budget and your ability to cover costs if something happens to your home.

Extra coverage and options

Personal liability coverage is included and mandatory in your tenant insurance policy, but you can adjust the amount (e.g. $1M or $2M) as needed. Plus, several other options can be added to your basic policy:

• Identity theft protection
• Water damage coverage

These extra protections will increase the cost, but they might be worth it for peace of mind!

Claims history

Your past claims affect the risk your insurer sees, so a clean claims history can help you get better rates. If you've had a fire or significant damage in the past, you might see your premium increase.

Credit score

Your credit score can be considered with your consent, and it might influence the rate you're offered.

Why tenant insurance is worth it

What tenant insurance covers

• Personal liability
• Personal property protection
• Additional living expenses

Tenant insurance protects you in several ways. It covers your personal items in case of theft, fire, or other damage. Personal liability coverage handles costs if someone gets hurt at your place, or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property (it's included and mandatory). If an incident makes your home unlivable, the insurance can also pay for your additional living expenses, like temporary accommodation while you wait for repairs.

Why get tenant insurance?

Getting tenant insurance is a smart decision to protect your home or apartment. This coverage protects you against the most common risks you might face as a tenant, plus:

• It offers peace of mind
• It can help you financially if something goes wrong
• Some leases even require it, even if the law doesn't

Tenant insurance coverage options in Québec

Here are the main tenant insurance coverages in Québec:

• Basic protection (personal items and personal liability)
• Off-premise theft coverage
• Water damage protection (some options, like sewer backup, must be added to your insurance policy)
• Coverage for valuable items (limited unless you buy extra coverage)
• Additional living expenses option

How to get tenant insurance

Assess your needs

To start, we recommend accurately assessing the value of your personal items to choose the right amount of coverage. Ask yourself honest questions like: What are my most valuable possessions? Do I have costly collectibles or expensive equipment? It's important to make a detailed inventory and keep it updated. (Our online platform at Sonnet can help you with this assessment in just a few minutes!)

Get a quote online

If you’re looking to get a tenant insurance quote online, look no further than Sonnet. We’ll explain the coverage, exclusions and deductible in simple terms, so you can avoid unpleasant surprises. Your rate is calculated transparently based on your information (address, insured items, claims history), and you can customize your policy from A to Z. Plus, bundle your car and tenant insurance to save even more.

Choose your coverage

Choose a coverage amount that matches the actual value of your personal items. Also, be sure to adjust your deductible based on your budget and needs. A higher deductible can lower your monthly premiums, so double-check what is and isn’t covered in your policy.

Finalize the contract

Carefully read every clause in the policy before signing and check the exclusions and renewal conditions. (It’s worth taking the time to fully understand your policy!) Make sure everything is clear, then sign with confidence.

Update your records as needed

Remember to update your policy regularly, especially if you make significant new purchases or move to a different home. If you’ve got fancy new jewelry or an expensive laptop, those should be added to your policy. Update your records every six months so your insurance coverage evolves with you!

What to do if you need to make a tenant insurance claim

Report the incident immediately

We recommend acting quickly if something happens to your home. Contact your insurer right away after the incident (such as fire, theft or water damage) and gather photo evidence along with your invoices to document the damage. Meet the deadlines set by your insurance company for submitting your claim, because the faster you act, the faster your claim will be processed.

Check your (up-to-date) inventory

A detailed inventory of your personal items is vital to help speed up the claims process. Be sure to have a list of all your items, furniture and clothing with their approximate value (including warranty information for electronics and appliances) and keep it in a safe place, ideally not in your home. Make sure you update it regularly, especially after making expensive new purchases, so that you’ll have it on hand and up to date for your insurance company to assess.

Look into additional coverage and assistance

Your tenant insurance covers several costs after an incident: short-term accommodation if your home is unlivable, loss of use of your apartment during repairs, temporary moving costs and storage of your belongings. Also, your policy includes personal liability protection (it’s mandatory) if you accidentally caused damage to others.

Claim processing times

The processing of a claim varies depending on the nature and complexity of the incident. To speed up the process:

• Promptly provide all documents requested by your insurer.
• Respond quickly to questions from the claims adjuster.
• Keep a copy of all your communications with your insurance company.

Frequently asked questions about tenant insurance costs

How is the tenant insurance rate calculated at Sonnet?

Your tenant insurance rate at Sonnet is calculated based on several factors, including the location and features of your home (age, building type, heating and plumbing systems), your personal profile (age, credit score, claims history) and the value of your insured personal items and the level of protection you choose. Other elements like the deductible you choose, added protection (such as water damage, identity theft) and discounts for bundling multiple policies (car and tenant insurance) also influence the cost.

How long does it take to get covered with Sonnet?

With Sonnet, your tenant insurance coverage usually starts on the effective date you choose when you sign up. If you pick "today" as your start date, you're covered immediately once the policy is issued. You can also set a later date; for example, your move-in day. Your protection will then begin on that date.

What are the benefits of Sonnet for my protection?

We offer several benefits with our tenant insurance: a simple online signup process, transparent and competitive rates with no hidden fees, and discounts when you bundle your policies. You’ll get basic protection for personal items and personal liability, along with the option to add extra features like identity theft, sewer backup or additional living expenses. Your coverage can start immediately on the date you choose, and you’ll have access to a 24/7 claims system for constant support.