Are Pets Covered Under My Tenant Insurance Policy?

Tenant insurance is crucial for safeguarding your belongings and personal liability, but what about your furry friends? Let's explore key aspects of pet coverage in your policy, focusing on property damage caused by pets and liability coverage for third-party property damage.

Property Damage Caused by Pets

Does your tenant insurance policy cover damage caused by pets? The short answer is, it depends. Some policies may include limited protection for damage caused by your pets to your own belongings, and some may not. That means if your dog scratches up the floors or your cat knocks over and breaks your TV, you might be responsible for the repair or replacement costs. Always review your policy wordings carefully to understand what is — and isn’t — covered.

In the meantime, proactive prevention goes a long way. Training your pet, ensuring they get enough exercise and mental stimulation, and offering appropriate toys can all help reduce destructive behaviour and prevent damage in the first place.

What's the Difference Between Tenant Insurance and Pet Fees?

In many rental agreements, landlords charge additional pet fees or pet rent. These charges are typically intended to cover potential additional maintenance or cleaning costs associated with having pets on the property upon move-out. However, it's important to note that these fees are generally not allocated for significant damages caused by pets, and certainly not towards damage to your own property. For instance, in some regions, landlords may charge a non-refundable pet fee to offset the costs of allowing pets in the rental unit . Nonetheless, any substantial damage caused by pets, such as scratched floors or chewed carpets, may still be the tenant's responsibility and could be deducted from the security deposit. Again, this can change from lease to lease, so be sure to check with your landlord.

Liability Coverage for Third-Party Property Damage

Some tenant insurance policies include liability protection if your pet damages someone else’s property. For example, if your dog chews a friend’s expensive rug during a visit, your policy may help cover the cost — but only if this type of liability is included. Not all policies offer this, so again, it's important to review your policy wordings to understand what’s covered and what’s excluded.

However, keep in mind that some insurance companies restrict coverage for certain dog breeds that they deem as dangerous. If you own such a pet, there might be a liability exclusion in your policy. Thoroughly review your policy and consider obtaining an endorsement or supplemental coverage specifically addressing the liability associated with these breeds.

APOLLO offers effortless tenant insurance for renters across Canada, as well as pet insurance for your furry roommates. Get a free quote in less than a minute and we’ll send your unique policy documents right to your inbox.

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