Tenant insurance for renters in B.C.
Buy renters insurance for your rental home in B.C.
Tailored tenant insurance for renters in British Columbia
Whether you’re renting a condo in urban Vancouver, an apartment in Surrey or a house in the family-friendly city of Delta, Sonnet tenant insurance has B.C. renters covered. Get a customized quote, in language you can understand, at a competitive price – and do it all online. We’ve changed tenant insurance for the better, so you can worry less and live more.
Why do I need tenant insurance in B.C.?
As a renter, you need tenant insurance because your landlord’s policy doesn’t cover your personal belongings. Think about all the stuff you own and how much it would cost to replace everything. In B.C., the average cost of a content insurance claim is $7,614. Surprised? Your stuff is valuable. Tenant insurance also includes personal liability which is an important coverage for all renters to have. Accidents happen, so it’s better to be protected then to have to pay out-of-pocket for damages or repairs.
What does tenant insurance cover in British Columbia?
Here are some of the common coverages included in insurance for British Columbia renters, and a few more additional coverages that we think you should have. Remember, every tenant policy is different. Be sure to review yours so you know exactly what you’re covered for and what you’re not.
Standard tenant insurance coverages
Protect yourself and the people in your home in case you’re sued with tenant liability insurance. 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 B.C. covers things like your clothing, electronics, furniture, etc. These are covered while they’re on your property or temporarily removed (like when you’re travelling to work – or out of the country).
In case something happens and you can’t live in your apartment in B.C. – you’re covered while your unit is being repaired. Choose to stay in a hotel or with friends and family, we’ll provide you with the cash either way.
You’re covered for the cost of any damage to improvements you’ve made to your rental unit to make it your own. This could be built-in closet organizers or unique light fixtures.
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 that could happen, 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 get back to where you need to be.
Additional tenant insurance coverages
This coverage can help in some smelly situations. If water backs up or escapes into your rental unit through a sewer, sump, septic tank, or floor drain, this will cover you for the damage caused. Coverage offered depends on eligibility.
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.
This protection covers you for loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from an earthquake. You’re also covered if the earthquake shock results in snowslide, landslide, or other earth movements that cause damage to your property.
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Questions about tenant insurance in B.C.? We've got answers
Getting a
Here’s how to get renters insurance with Sonnet in just a few easy steps. Sonnet is a completely digital insurance company – we use new technology that means you don’t have to answer many questions to get an instant tenant insurance quote that’s tailored to you. You can quote and buy your tenant insurance – all online.
Step 1: Enter your rental details
The first page you will see is “Tell us about yourself and your place”. Here, we want to know your property type (home, condo or apartment). Under Ownership type, select “I rent it from someone else.” Then, enter your address.
Heads up! Enter your address as it is recognized by Canada Post. Your address should pre-populate as you enter it into the field.
Step 2: Enter your personal details
Enter in your first and last name, plus your date of birth. Click “Continue”.
Step 3: Select your coverage start date
Here, we’ll need you to enter your coverage start date – this is when you’d want your tenant insurance to start. Usually, it’s the start date of your lease and they day you’d be moving in.
Step 4: Add your group discount (if you’re eligible)
If you’re a graduate of a Canadian University, or a member of an eligible association, an affinity partner or an employee/retiree of a sponsored company you could get a discount on your policy.
Step 5: Review and agree to the consent statement
Read the consent statement – this is where we verify the information you’ve provided to us about your claims history. Then, click “View your quotes”.
Heads up! You’ll need to agree with the consent statement to proceed with the quote.
Step 6: View your quote
Here, you can view your pre-set coverages and limits. Click the “View and customize” button to personalize your coverage and make changes if you’d like to.
Step 7: Review your coverage
You’re nearly there! This page is “Your coverage details” – here we explain all the coverages in detail to help you understand how you’d be covered. Click on each coverage to learn more about it. Also, you can customize the limits and deductibles of certain coverages – you’ll see the quote reflect any changes.
Step 8: Buy your tenant insurance or save your quote
Once you’re happy with your renters insurance quote, click on “Buy now” to purchase. Or if you’re not ready to buy, you can click “Save quote” beneath the price to review it later, and move on to the next step.
Step 9: Enter your email address to save your quote
Success – you’ve got a quote! All you need to do now is enter in your email address. We’ll send you an email with a link that brings you back to this page at any time.
A small number of personal belongings fall into a category called Standard Limits, which means you’re covered for these items up to a fixed dollar amount. These amounts cannot be increased (unlike Specialty Belongings). Some examples of these items are business property, gift cards and spare auto parts.
The list of items that fall into Standard Limits can be found during the quoting process, or in your Policy Wordings document (if you’re already a home customer).
Check out our blog for more information on how
Your spouse or common-law partner and your kids are already covered by your policy. Anyone else who is living with you and is also on your lease can be added to your tenant policy to share coverage. To do this, just add them as a tenant when you buy your tenant insurance online.
If you’ve already purchased and want to add them to your existing Sonnet policy, log in to your account and click on your tenant policy. Select the Tenants tab and click Add a tenant.
Here are the details you’ll need to have ready for your roommate:
- Their full name
- Their date of birth
- Their email address
- Their phone number
Once all of this has been entered, click Add. Your policy documents will update to include their name.
We ask you a few key questions to access public information about the place you’re renting along with personal information you provide to determine your rate. The information we use includes:
- Where your rental is located
- Home structure, age, type of heating, etc.
- Number of past insurance claims
- Information about you (age, credit score if applicable, etc.)
Using this information and a whole lot of math and statistics, you get the most competitive price – savings included. The whole process takes just 5 minutes and the price you’re quoted is final. Buy online right away or save your quote and lock in your price for 45 days or until the coverage start date (whichever is sooner).
Average monthly premiums for tenant insurance in British Columbia are based on current Sonnet policies as of February 2024, with assumptions made to determine demographic groups.
The average cost of a content insurance claim in British Columbia is based on 2019 claims data from Sonnet and Economical Insurance.