Tenant insurance for Québec renters

Live in Québec? Buy tenant insurance online in 5 minutes.

Get insurance tailored to renters in Québec

Whether you’re renting a condo in urban Montréal, an apartment in Québec City or a house in family-friendly Laval, Sonnet tenant insurance has Québec renters covered. Get customized coverage, in language you can understand, at a competitive price – and do it all online. We’ve changed renters insurance for the better, so you can worry less and live more.

Why do I need renters insurance in Québec?

If you rent in Québec, you need tenant insurance because your landlord’s policy doesn’t cover your personal belongings. Think about how much it’ll cost to replace everything you own. In Québec, the average cost of a content insurance claim is $5,603. The cost of possessions adds up. Tenant insurance also includes personal liability which is an important coverage for tenants to have. Whether it’s theft or damage, if the unexpected happens make sure you’re protected.

What does tenant insurance cover in Québec?

Here are some of the common coverages included in insurance for Québec 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

Liability Insurance

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.

Personal Belongings

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 Québec 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).

Extra Expenses

In case something happens and you can’t live in your apartment in Québec – 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.

Unit Improvements

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.

Identity Theft

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

Sewer Backup

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.

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.

"Seriously, the prices are so competitive that I called twice to make sure there wasn't a mistake with my online quote!" "Finally, an insurance company that fits in with my life: 100% self-serve (with a REALLY NICE, user-friendly website), easy to understand, personalized and fast. Hooray for Sonnet!" "I just got my insurance with Sonnet and I'm definitely saving on my annual premium. On top of that, they have excellent customer service. Get a quote and see for yourself!"

More ways to save in Québec

You could save an average of $474 with Sonnet’s group discount. It’s easy - start an online quote and search for the name of your organization or association. A few organizations that trust Sonnet:

TELUS SmartHome Security

Learn more

Tangerine

Learn more

Deloitte

Learn more

Questions about tenant insurance in Québec? We’ve got answers

It's quick and easy to get a tenant insurance quote with Sonnet when you live in Québec. And if you need it, there’s plenty of help along the way. Read through our current blogs or most commonly asked questions on tenant insurance to get started.

How do I get a quote for tenant insurance?

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 the 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.

Learn more about who qualifies for a group discount.

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.

Are there any coverage limitations for certain belongings?

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 all of your belongings are covered.

What if I’m renting with other people – can I add my roommate?

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.

How do you calculate the cost of tenant insurance?

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).

Do you rent in Québec? Are you thinking of switching?

Don’t wait to renew – we’ll calculate how much it could cost you to cancel and switch your renters insurance to Sonnet.

Average monthly premiums for tenant insurance in Québec are based on current Sonnet policies as of February 2021, with assumptions made to determine demographic groups.

The average cost of a content insurance claim in Québec is based on 2019 claims data from Sonnet and Economical Insurance.