Protect your rental property with landlord insurance

Get house insurance for your rental property quickly and easily.

Sonnet has the coverage landlords need

Is the home you live in already insured with us? If you also have an income property, make sure your investment is fully protected with rental property insurance. Landlords across Canada, in B.C., Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia or P.E.I. can buy insurance online with Sonnet in just minutes. Get customized coverage, in language you can understand, at a competitive price – and do it all online. With Sonnet you can buy and access your landlord insurance online, so you can live your life without worrying about your rental property.

Why do you need landlord insurance?

A rental property owner should always be prepared for the unexpected. Landlord insurance will help you repair or rebuild if your rented dwelling is damaged by wind, fire or another covered loss. It’ll also help you with rental income if your tenants can’t live in your rented home during repairs. If you have a mortgage, they might require you to have insurance for your rental home, too.

What does landlord insurance cover?

Owning a rental property is a big responsibility, and with it comes a whole new set of risks. Here’s a summary of standard coverages in a landlord insurance policy that will help protect you and your rented home, and a few optional add-ons for extra peace of mind. Remember, every landlord has unique needs. Be sure to review your policy to understand what you’re covered for and what you’re not. 

Standard landlord insurance coverages

Liability Insurance

This coverage protects you in case you’re sued. You’re covered by landlord liability if a visitor is injured on your property and you’re found legally responsible, or if you cause unintentional damage to another person’s property.

Rented Dwelling and Detached Structures

If something happens to your rental home, we’ll pay to repair or rebuild it. And, we do the same for detached structures like your garage, garden shed or fence.

Landlord's Belongings

Protect items you own that you keep at your rented home – like landscaping equipment, maintenance equipment and household appliances or furnishings.

Loss of Rental Income

If your tenants can’t live in your rented home because of an insured loss or damage, we’ll replace your rental income until your property is repaired or rebuilt, for up to a year.

Additional landlord insurance coverages

Sewer Backup

This coverage can help in some smelly situations. If water backs up or escapes into your home through a sewer, sump, septic tank, or floor drain, this will cover you for the damage caused. Coverage offered depends on eligibility.

Overland Water

You’re covered for damage to your home caused by fresh water, such as excessive rain, spring run-off and melting snow, coming in at ground level through windows and doors. Coverage offered depends on eligibility.

Why buy landlord insurance with Sonnet?

Self-serve

Log in anytime to manage your account, access your policy, update your coverages and more.

Express claims

On top of our 24/7 claims support, you have the option of an express claim for small losses.

Customer satisfaction

Online doesn’t have to mean on-your-own. Our licensed Insurance Advisors are here to help. Email, chat or call our fully-licensed agents and experience our top-quality customer care for yourself.

Save on more than just insurance

Get access to helpful information and a suite of services to simplify your life from our Sonnet Connect partners. Plus, take advantage of great discounts, promotions and free offers.

How much does landlord insurance cost in Canada?

$1,325/year is the median cost of landlord insurance with Sonnet in Canada. Get landlord insurance for a year for less than what a family of four would spend on a long weekend ski trip.

How it’s calculated
The cost of landlord insurance is based on your unique info and the type of property you’re renting out. Insurers will look at things like the coverage you have, the building type, the location of the property and your claims history.

How can I save on my landlord insurance?

At Sonnet, we combine your unique information with a whole lot of math and analytics to build our best price just for you – savings automatically included. Here are a few ways you could save on your landlord insurance:

Claims free

No claims in the last 5 years? This could mean extra cash in your pocket.

Multi-location

Insuring more than one property could qualify you for a multi-location saving.

Bundle home and auto

Bundling your home insurance and car insurance could mean up to 20% savings for you.

How to get the best landlord insurance for your rental property

Not every rental property is the same, and not every landlord has the same needs. Here's how to make sure you have the very best policy for yours.

Step 1. Make sure you’re getting the right rental property insurance policy. The type of policy you need depends on the type of property you're renting out. Is it a unit in your own home? It could be covered by your homeowners policy. Is it a standalone property? You’ll probably need a separate landlord policy.

Step 2. Compare landlord insurance quotes. It's common to focus on cost and go for the plan with the best price. While price is important, you need to factor in coverage, claims, and customer service to make sure you're fully protected.

Step 3. Understand what's covered and what isn’t. Landlord insurance covers your building, contents you keep on the property. It also covers liability arising from ownership of your property, lost rental income and more. Your tenant’s stuff and their liability aren’t covered. We recommend that tenants carry their own renters policy.

Step 4. Consider adding optional coverages. Things like sewer backup and overland water are just as important for your rental as they are for your own home! Be proactive and protect your income property from serious water damage before it happens.

Step 5. Choose a high enough landlord liability limit. An accident on your rental property can result in very costly legal bills if you're sued as a result. We recommend having a minimum of $1 million liability coverage – but $2 million is ideal.

Have questions about your landlord coverage? Get in touch with us – we’re here to help.

Questions about landlord insurance? We’re here to help

Being a landlord isn’t easy. That’s why we’ve made it so simple to get a landlord insurance quote with Sonnet. Read through our current blogs or most frequently asked questions about landlord insurance to get started.

Mon assurance des propriétaires couvre-t-elle ma propriété locative?

Cela dépend de votre situation.

Si vous louez une habitation distincte dans un bâtiment dans lequel vous ne vivez pas actuellement, vous aurez besoin d’une assurance habitation pour une propriété locative — communément appelée assurance des habitations louées.

Attention! Vous pouvez seulement assurer votre propriété locative avec nous si votre résidence principale est également assurée chez Sonnet. Nous n’assurons pas de propriétés locatives sans résidence principale.

Vous louez à d'autres une partie de la résidence dans laquelle vous vivez? Nous vous protégerons en vertu de votre police d’assurance habitation si vous louez des chambres à un maximum de deux chambreurs ou pensionnaires. Si la maison dans laquelle vous habitez est assurée par Sonnet, nous vous couvrirons si vous louez des chambres à un maximum de deux chambreurs ou pensionnaires. Ou, vous pouvez louer une unité supplémentaire (comme un appartement au sous-sol) dans votre maison à un seul ménage. Un ménage peut être une famille, un couple ou des partenaires non mariés qui sont majeurs et qui cohabitent (outre les étudiants). N’oubliez pas que Sonnet offre une garantie pour soit une ou l’autre des situations ci-dessus et non les deux en même temps.

L’assurance des propriétaires de votre maison ou de votre habitation louée couvre-t-elle les locataires? Non — ils devront avoir leur propre assurance des locataires.

Peu importe la situation, vous devriez toujours passer en revue votre police pour vous assurer d’avoir la bonne assurance pour vos besoins de location. Vous avez d’autres questions sur l’assurance des habitations louées? Communiquez avec nous - nous vous aiderons avec plaisir!

Je loue occasionnellement mon domicile. Quel type d’assurance il me faut?

Ça dépend. S’il y a au plus deux locataires, vous pouvez louer une partie de votre maison dans le cadre de votre assurance de propriétaire de base. Vous êtes également couvert si votre domicile comporte une unité supplémentaire louée à une seule famille.

Si vous louez une habitation autre que votre maison, notre police d’assurance des habitations louées vous couvrira en cas de dommages aux biens qui appartiennent à vous et à l’habitation. Pensez aux gros appareils électroménagers, aux luminaires ou aux outils (comme une tondeuse ou une pelle à neige). Si vous habitez votre maison, mais avez un plus grand nombre de locataires que ce qui est permis par notre police de propriétaire, vous pouvez acheter notre police des habitations louées afin d’être adéquatement assuré.

Mes locataires sont-ils couverts par mon assurance des habitations louées?

Votre assurance des habitations louées ne couvre pas les biens de vos locataires. Les locataires doivent se procurer leur propre police des locataires pour couvrir leurs vêtements, leurs meubles et tous leurs autres biens au cas où quelque chose arriverait. 

Bien que l’assurance des locataires n’est pas exigée par la loi, elle est fortement recommandée. Pourquoi? Parce qu’elle vous offre des avantages à titre de propriétaire d’une habitation louée ainsi qu’à votre locataire. Elle offre une tranquillité d’esprit aux locataires en réparant ou en remplaçant les biens s’ils sont détruits ou endommagés lors d’un incendie, d’une inondation ou d’un autre événement assuré. Si quelque chose arrive à votre propriété locative et que vos locataires ne peuvent plus y résider, leur police des locataires leur permettra de se loger jusqu’à ce qu’ils puissent réaménager ou trouver un nouvel endroit où vivre. Elle protège également votre propriété locative, car l’assurance de la responsabilité civile des locataires aidera à couvrir les frais si un locataire endommage votre propriété.

Qu’est-ce qui est inclus dans l’assurance des habitations louées?

Les biens des propriétaires couvrent les articles qui sont gardés dans l’habitation louée, comme l’ameublement. Même si vous louez votre appartement sans mobilier, cette couverture est tout de même exigée, car elle inclut l’équipement d’entretien paysager et d’entretien ainsi que les appareils électroménagers (réfrigérateur, laveuse, cuisinière).

Looking to switch your landlord insurance?

Answer a few questions and we’ll calculate how much it could cost you to cancel and switch to Sonnet.

Article source: The top 10 car insurance companies in Canada published 5 October 2020, Insurance Business Magazine, https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/ca/guides/the-top-10-car-insurance-companies-in-canada-235281.aspx

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Bundling discount reflects the best possible savings a customer could receive by bundling their home and auto coverage. Depending on your quote details, you may not be eligible for a discount.

Possible savings of over $600 annually is based on survey responses of 10,586 customers who purchased an insurance policy with Sonnet Insurance Company between July 2020 and February 2021 in Ontario, Alberta and Quebec. 17% of survey respondents indicated that their monthly price with Sonnet was over $50 lower than what they were currently paying. Depending on your quote details, actual savings may vary.

Median annual premiums for landlord insurance in Canada are based on current Sonnet policies as of February 2024.