Can My Landlord Require Me to Have Renters Insurance? 

If you’re a first-time renter who has found a dream apartment, you may be wondering if your landlord can require you to maintain renters insurance. The short answer is yes. Your landlord has the legal right to add that stipulation to your lease agreement.

In fact, even though landlords maintain insurance to protect their rental property, most require their tenants to have renters insurance to prevent possible disputes that might occur if something happens to their tenant’s belongings while staying in the apartment.

Even if your landlord doesn’t require you to have renters insurance, here are some reasons you should consider a policy anyway.

Renters Insurance Helps Protect Your Personal Property

If your apartment is damaged because of a fire, break-in or a natural disaster, your landlord’s policy will cover the expense of repairing the physical damage to the building. You would have to pay out of pocket to replace any damaged furniture, clothing or other personal belongings. By having renters insurance, however, you can limit the amount you have to pay to just your deductible.

Renters Insurance Helps Protect You from Liability

If you fall asleep while waiting for the bathtub to fill up, and inadvertently flood the apartment of your downstairs neighbor, you could be legally on the hook for the cost of repairs and for replacing your neighbor’s damaged personal belongings. With a renters insurance policy, this expense would be covered up to the limits of your policy.

Renters Insurance Helps with Temporary Living Expenses

While repairs are being done to your apartment, it may be necessary for you to spend a few nights or weeks in a hotel. Renters insurance helps pay your hotel bills so this unexpected expense doesn’t negatively impact your budget.

Most renters insurance policies are extremely affordable, especially when bundled with auto insurance, which makes them a no-brainer for most renters. It’s worth talking to your broker to get a quote before opting to go without this valuable coverage.

Have any questions? We can help.

Contact us—we can help you access and use your MyMills portal and app.
Tollfree: 800-953-0999   Phone: 416-489-5570    Email: contactus@millsinsurancebrokers.ca