Own a condo in Alberta? Get coverage that works for you

No matter if you live in a 40-storey condo in downtown Calgary, a townhouse in Edmonton or a 12-storey condo in Red Deer, you need to have the right insurance for your condominium. Get a customized quote, in language you can understand, at a competitive price – and do it all online. We’ve simplified condo insurance in Alberta, so you can focus on what you love.

Renting a condo in Alberta as a tenant? Check out our online renters insurance.

If you’re renting out your condo to a tenant, take a look at our landlord insurance.

What is condo insurance?

Your condominium corporation has insurance for the building itself and its common areas. But, it doesn’t cover your things inside your unit or any condo improvements you’ve made. This is why – as a condo owner – it's important to have condo insurance that covers you and your stuff if something happens.

Woman buying insurance online

What does condo insurance cover in Alberta?

Protect your condominium, its contents and more with condo insurance. Although policies can differ, here are some of the common coverages you can find under a condo insurance policy. Don’t forget to review your policy to learn how you’re covered (and where you aren’t).

Standard home insurance coverages

Protect yourself and the people in your home in case you’re sued. With personal liability coverage, you’re covered if someone gets hurt while visiting or for damage you may unintentionally cause.

Often called contents insurance, this protects anything you own that you could pack in a bag or put in a moving truck. Contents insurance in Alberta covers things like your clothing, electronics and furniture. These are covered while they’re on your property or temporarily removed (like when you’re travelling to work or out of the country). If you’re renting out your condo, only major appliances are covered for theft – the rest of your contents aren’t.

If you can’t live in your Alberta condo during repairs from a claim – you’re covered. You can choose to stay in a hotel or with friends and family. We’ll help cover your living extra expenses either way. Renting out your condo at the time of loss? You’ll be covered for your net rental income until your tenants can move back in.

This includes three extra protections:

  • Unit improvements coverage
    Have you been making improvements or upgrades to your unit – like installing special lighting or customized closets? Don’t worry, they’re covered.
  • Unit contingency coverage
    This coverage protects you if your condo corporation’s insurance isn’t enough to take care of damages to your unit, that would normally be its responsibility to repair or replace.
  • Property loss assessment coverage
    Your condo corporation could require its members to collectively pay for any damage to common areas (like the lobby or elevators). This coverage will pay for your share.

If you’re a condo owner in Alberta, hail coverage is included in your policy. This means your belongings (like patio furniture or a barbecue) will be repaired or replaced if damaged by hail.

Additional home insurance coverages

This coverage can help in some smelly situations. Your unit and belongings would be covered for damage caused by sewage that backs up in your unit through a sump, septic tank or floor drain. It also includes belongings in your condo’s basement storage unit. If you can’t get into your condo because the lobby or lower levels are affected, you’d also need sewer backup coverage so that extra living expenses (like living in a hotel during repairs) are covered. Coverage offered depends on eligibility.

You’re covered for damage caused by fresh water, such as excessive rain, spring run-off and melting snow, coming in at ground level through windows and doors. If you can’t get to your unit due to an overland water flood in your condo’s lobby or lower levels, you’d need this coverage to get help with extra living expenses (like living in a hotel). It also includes belongings kept in your condo’s basement storage unit that are damaged. Coverage offered depends on eligibility.

This covers you and anyone else on your policy in case your identity is stolen. We’ll reimburse you for legal fees as well as certain other costs, up to a limit. These could include lost wages if you have to take time off work to sort it out, and payment for services that help you restore your identity.

How much does condo insurance cost in Alberta?

The premium you pay for condo insurance in Alberta is based on information about you and your condo. This includes things like your condo’s location, how much coverage you need and your personal claims history. Here are some examples of the average price of condo insurance with Sonnet in Alberta:

$46/month avg.

The cost of insurance in Edmonton is around what you’d pay for Sunday brunch with a bubbly mimosa.

 

$42/month avg.

In Calgary, you can get insurance for less than the cost of your monthly gym membership.

How you can save on condo insurance in Alberta

Alberta teachers

From ABCs to 123s, teachers do a lot for their students. We’ve got you covered so you can get back to teaching. Teachers can save on condo insurance in Alberta.

 

Engineering graduates in Alberta

Whether you work on-site or in an office, you need to be protected. Similarly, having condo insurance provides coverage for your unit. Save with this exclusive discount.

 

Accounting graduates in Alberta

Every decimal point is accounted for when you’re an accountant. Take advantage of our exclusive discount on condo insurance to make sure your stuff is covered.

 

Questions about condominium insurance in Alberta? We’ve got you covered

Insuring your condo should be simple. We’ve made getting a condo insurance quote quick and easy – plus, we’re here to help from start to finish. Read through our current blogs or most frequently asked questions about condo insurance to get started.

What is covered by condo insurance
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Types of water damage covered by home insurance
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Coverage for personal belongings
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How are my personal belongings covered?

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No. Sonnet doesn’t cover short-term rentals through any home sharing service, including Airbnb and Vrbo. This applies to all our property policies ¬(homeowners, condo, and landlord). Under the terms of our renters insurance, tenants also aren’t allowed to offer short-term rentals of their apartment or house – or a room in their unit – through one of these networks.

If you’re offering short-term rentals via one of these services and something happens where you need to file a claim, your claim could be denied.

Want to know more about how Sonnet covers long-term rentals? Check out our FAQ about renting out your home, condo, or rental property. Or, contact us! We’re here to help.

Condo insurance covers certain types of water damage caused by sudden or accidental events. For example, you'd be covered if your bathroom pipes burst or your dishwasher leaked all over the kitchen floor.

Some condo insurance water damage coverages, like sewer backup and overland water, aren't included in a standard policy. You can add these optional coverages to your policy for extra peace of mind.

Condo insurance helps cover your personal belongings, improvements to your unit, personal liability and certain costs your condo corporation may ask you to pay.

A standard policy generally covers:

  • Personal belongings (contents): covers items you own, like furniture, electronics and appliances, if they're damaged or lost due to a covered event like fire or theft.
  • Unit improvements and betterments: Helps cover upgrades you've made to your unit, like hardwood flooring or custom closets.
  • Personal liability: Protects you financially if someone gets hurt in your condo unit or you accidentally damage someone else's property.
  • Property loss assessment: Helps cover your share of repair costs if your condo corporation asks owners to contribute after damage to the building or shared spaces.

Insurers look at a few key factors to calculate your premium. These details help us understand how likely you are to file a claim and what it might cost.

Let’s look at a few of those factors:

  • Your condo’s location: Local risks like severe weather or theft can affect your price. For example, what you pay for condo insurance in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia can vary quite a bit.
  • Your coverage: The amount of insurance you choose can affect how much you pay. Generally, more coverage means a higher premium.
  • Your deductible: This is the amount you pay out of pocket when you make a claim. A lower deductible typically means a higher premium, but less to pay if you make a claim. A higher deductible means a lower premium, but more to pay if you make a claim.
  • Your claims history: If you’ve made insurance claims in the past, your premium could be higher.

While condo insurance isn’t legally required in Canada, you’ll likely still need it. Most mortgage lenders require proof of insurance before they’ll finalize your mortgage, and many condo corporations require it before you can move in.

Without condo insurance, you’d have to pay out of pocket to repair damage or replace your belongings after a fire, theft or water damage. These costs can add up fast. That’s why having your own coverage is a smart choice, even when it’s not legally required.

Your appliances may be covered by your personal condo insurance or your condo corporation's master policy – it all depends on how they're classified.

Appliances you own are generally covered under your Sonnet policy if they're damaged by a covered event, like a fire. Some built-in appliances might fall under your condo corporation's master policy instead. Check with your condo corporation to see what their insurance covers.

Renting a condo from someone else? Your landlord's insurance will generally cover appliances they own. If you've purchased your own appliances, your tenant insurance may cover them instead.

The type of insurance you need for your townhouse depends on whether a condo corporation governs the property. If it does, you'll typically need condo insurance. If not, you'll need a standard home policy instead.

Not sure which applies to you? Check your property ownership documents to see if a condo corporation is listed.

Albertans, looking to switch your condo insurance?

Start saving now – no need to wait for renewal. It could be easier and cheaper than you think to switch to Sonnet.

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Buy insurance for your Alberta condo