Landlord Insurance for a Property You Rent Out
For a house or a condo unit with tenants — the building, your liability and rental income, explained clearly, quoted online, and checked by a licensed BlueCouch broker.
Get your quote- A licensed Canadian brokerageWe arrange coverage with insurance companies on your behalf; the insurer issues the policy.
- More than one insurerYour broker can look at options from more than one insurance company, where they are available.
- A real person checks your quoteA broker reviews the details with you before anything starts.
A house or a condo unit?
Both are quoted online. The questions differ, so the quote starts by asking which one you rent out.
A house you rent out
- The building, up to its rebuilding cost
- Your liability as the owner
- Optional rental income
- Your tenants insure their own belongings
A condo unit you rent out
- Improvements in the unit
- Your share of strata deductibles and assessments
- Your liability as the owner
- The strata insures the building
What Landlord Insurance Can Cover
A policy written for a rental, not a regular home policy. What yours includes, and its limits and exclusions, are set by the insurance company's policy wording.
The Building
Repairing or rebuilding a house you rent out after an insured loss such as fire, wind or many kinds of sudden water damage, up to the policy limit.
Improvements in a Condo Unit
For a condo you rent out: upgrades in the unit that the strata policy may not cover, and your share of some strata costs.
Liability as an Owner
Claims against you if someone is hurt or property is damaged because of the condition of the rental.
Fire, Smoke and Theft
The usual risks to a building and to the contents you provide for tenants, such as appliances, within the policy's limits.
Optional coverages
Coverages worth asking about
Rental income
Rent you lose while the property can't be lived in after an insured loss, for the period the policy sets.
Sewer backup
Damage when a sewer or drain backs up into the property. Usually an add-on.
Overland water
Water that enters from the outside. Availability depends on the address.
Earthquake
Damage to the building or unit from an earthquake, with its own percentage deductible.
Bylaws and building code
The extra cost of rebuilding to today's code after an insured loss.
Damage by tenants
Some insurers offer coverage for vandalism or malicious damage by tenants; others exclude it. Ask what yours does.
Availability, limits and deductibles of optional coverages depend on the insurance company and the address.
Your price
What changes the price of landlord insurance
- 1
The building and its systems
Age, construction, and when the roof, plumbing, electrical and heating were last updated.
- 2
How it is rented
Long-term tenants, a secondary suite or short-term stays are different risks and need to be described accurately.
- 3
Vacancy
A property that sits empty between tenants can have limits on coverage. Tell your broker if that happens.
- 4
Your claims history
Claims in the past few years can raise the price, and two or more may mean a broker needs to review the file.
- 5
Where it is
Local risks such as flood zones, wildfire areas or break-in rates are part of every price.
- 6
The limits and deductible you pick
A higher deductible usually lowers the premium; added coverages such as rental income raise it.
BlueCouch
How BlueCouch helps
Quote online
For a home in British Columbia, Alberta or Ontario. In BC you see an estimated price right away; in Alberta and Ontario a broker sends your quote.
Kylie, our AI assistant
Explains questions and terms as you go, so you know what you are answering.
Licensed brokers
Review your quote with you, explain the coverage and put the policy in place.
Renewal reviews
Before your policy renews, a broker can look at whether the coverage still fits.
Help with claims
We help you report a claim and stay with you while the insurance company handles it.
Real support
Call, email or chat with us when you need to change something on your policy.
How It Works
Protect your home and your stuff in just a few (really) easy steps
- 1
Fill Out a Quick Questionnaire
Fill out a short questionnaire. We just need to know a few things about your home. Our AI agent, Kylie, will hold your hand through the process and answer questions along the way.
- 2
Review Your Options
Kylie will show you the insurance rate options for your home. You can look at the coverage in each option before you decide.
- 3
Talk to a Broker
Leave your contact details with your quote. A licensed BlueCouch broker reviews it with you, answers your questions and helps you put the coverage in place.
Testimonials
Why Canadians Choose BlueCouch
Peyman Gazor
Had a great experience with the Bluecouch team. Was able to secure a very competitively priced home owner’s insurance. The process from start to finish was seamless.
Sarv Jahankhani
Highly recommend. Simple and transparent process to get a quote and coverage for our home insurance from a very reliable insurance company. It took 5 minutes to get coverage and there was a lot support for when I had specific questions.
Farouk Esmail
I switched over to purchasing home insurance online. I was amazed with how easy it was on BlueCouch. The rate I got was also lower than what I normally pay.
Questions
Landlord insurance questions
Does my tenant's insurance cover my building?
No. A tenant policy covers the tenant's belongings and liability. The building and your liability as the owner need your own landlord policy.
Can I keep my home insurance if I rent the place out?
Renting out a home changes the risk, and a regular home policy may not respond. Tell your insurer or broker before you rent it, so the policy matches how the property is used.
What about short-term rentals?
Renting by the night or week is different from a long-term lease, and many policies limit it. Your broker can look at what is available for that use.
I rent out a basement suite in the house I live in. Which policy is that?
That is usually a home policy that declares the suite, not a landlord policy. Mention the suite when you start a home insurance quote.
Is the price I see online final?
It is an estimate based on your answers. A licensed broker confirms the details and the final price with you before any coverage starts.
Can I buy the policy online?
No. The website stops at the quote. A broker contacts you to review it and put the policy in place, so nothing is bound or paid online.
Where are online quotes available?
You can start a quote online for a home in British Columbia, Alberta or Ontario. In British Columbia you see an estimated price right away; in Alberta and Ontario a licensed broker sends you the quote after you answer the questions. For a property elsewhere in Canada, call us at (855) 316-3237.
Guides
Read more about landlord insurance
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