Renting an apartment has its perks, such as flexibility and lower maintenance costs, but it exposes you to various risks. While your landlord’s insurance covers the building structure, it leaves your personal belongings vulnerable. That’s where renters insurance comes in. In this post, we’ll discuss the importance of renters insurance for apartment dwellers and why you shouldn’t overlook it.
A standard renters insurance policy offers the following types of coverage:
Personal Property Coverage: Protects your personal belongings, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing, if they’re damaged, stolen, or destroyed by a covered peril (e.g., fire, theft, vandalism).
Liability Coverage: Provides financial protection if someone gets injured on your rental property and sues you for damages.
Additional Living Expenses: Covers the costs of temporary accommodations, like hotel stays, if your apartment is uninhabitable due to an insured event.
Here are the top reasons why apartment dwellers need renters insurance:
Renters insurance safeguards your hard-earned possessions from unforeseen events. Without it, you could be left with major out-of-pocket expenses to replace or repair your belongings in case of damage, destruction, or theft.
Slip and falls or other accidents can happen on your rented property. Renters insurance covers the medical expenses and legal fees up to your policy limits, preventing significant financial losses in case of a lawsuit.
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If a fire or flood renders your apartment uninhabitable, the expenses of staying in hotels and eating out can add up quickly. Renters insurance eases this financial burden by covering these costs up to a certain limit.
Despite its broad coverage, renters insurance is generally affordable, with most policies costing between CAD $15 and CAD $30 per month. It’s a small price to pay for the security and peace of mind it provides.
Many landlords now require tenants to hold renters insurance as a part of the lease agreement. Having a policy in place ensures you meet these requirements and avoid any potential disputes.
Before purchasing a renters insurance policy, keep these points in mind:
Shop around: Reach out to multiple insurance providers and compare quotes.
Understand your coverage needs: Assess the value of your belongings and opt for adequate coverage. Don’t forget to consider additional coverage, known as “floaters” or “endorsements,” for high-value items.
Choose a suitable deductible: The deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before the insurance kicks in. A higher deductible typically results in a lower premium and vice versa.
Understand the replacement cost vs. actual cash value: Policies can either pay for the full replacement cost of an item or its depreciated value (actual cash value). Note that the actual cash value policies come with lower premiums but might not be enough to replace your belongings.
APOLLO is Canada’s leading provider of tenant insurance, designed specifically for renters and customizable to your lifestyle. Get your free quote in less than a minute and we’ll send your policy documents right to your inbox.
Get the protection you need in minutes with custom Tenant Insurance from APOLLO.
Originally published June 30, 2023, updated August 9, 2024
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