Editor's note, October 6, 2026: this article was reviewed and rewritten in our accuracy check. An earlier version contained premium amounts, coverage limits and claim-denial claims we could not trace to a source; they have been removed or replaced with figures from the sources listed at the end of the article.
Your landlord's insurance covers the building, not your belongings or your responsibility for damage you cause. That's what tenant insurance is for. Here's what it covers, whether you need it, and how to compare policies.
Is it required?
No law requires tenants to have insurance, but the Ontario Standard Lease has a section where you and your landlord agree whether you must carry liability insurance. If the lease requires it, your landlord can ask for proof. Contents insurance is up to you.
What it covers
- Your belongings (contents): furniture, clothes, electronics and other items, at home and often away from home. Policies are either all risks (everything except listed exclusions) or named perils (only the causes listed).
- Liability: what you'd have to pay if someone successfully sued you, for example if a leak from your unit damages the one below or a guest is injured, plus the cost of defending you. The Insurance Bureau of Canada says a standard tenant policy generally covers up to $1 million, often with an option to increase it to $2 million.
- Additional living expenses: hotel, meals and moving costs if you can't live in your home while it's repaired after a covered loss.
What to check
- Replacement cost or actual cash value: replacement cost pays what it costs to buy new; actual cash value deducts depreciation.
- Limits on valuables such as jewellery, bikes and electronics; you may need extra coverage.
- Water damage: sewer backup and overland flooding are often separate add-ons. Ask specifically.
- Deductible: a higher deductible lowers the premium but means you pay more of each claim.
- Roommates: a policy usually covers the named insured and their family; unrelated roommates normally need their own policies.
- Home business or short-term rentals: tell your insurer; standard policies may exclude them.
How much coverage
Make a list (or a video) of what you own and estimate what it would cost to replace. That's your contents figure. For liability, the standard limit is a starting point; ask about increasing it if you have a pet or a lot of visitors.
Comparing quotes
Get several quotes for the same coverage, ask what discounts apply (for example bundling with car insurance or a monitored alarm), and read the exclusions, not just the price. Premiums depend on where you live, your claims history, the building and the coverage you choose.
Making a claim
- Make sure everyone is safe; for theft, report it to police.
- Tell your insurer and your landlord promptly.
- Photograph the damage and keep damaged items until the adjuster says otherwise.
- Keep receipts for emergency repairs and extra living costs.
Frequently asked questions
Does my landlord's insurance cover my belongings?
No. The landlord's policy covers the building. Your furniture, clothes and electronics are only covered by your own tenant policy.
Am I covered if a leak from my unit damages the one below?
That's what the liability part of a tenant policy is for: it can pay for damage you're legally responsible for and for your legal defence. Without it, you could be sued personally.
Can my landlord require me to have insurance?
Yes, if the lease says so. The Ontario Standard Lease has a section for it, and if it requires liability insurance your landlord can ask for proof.
Renting soon? Read our first-time renter guide, or ask Zara, Summitly's AI virtual agent.
