Does Your Landlord’s Insurance Cover You? The Truth About Rental Insurance.

If you rent your home in Nova Scotia—whether it’s an apartment, condo, or house—you might assume your landlord’s insurance has you covered. After all, they own the property, so it’s their responsibility, right?

Not quite. While your landlord’s policy protects the building itself, it won’t protect your personal belongings if something goes wrong. That’s where tenant (or rental) insurance comes in. Let’s break down the truth about what’s covered, what’s not, and why tenant insurance should be on your to-do list.

What Does Landlord’s Insurance Actually Cover?

Your landlord is required to carry insurance for their property. This policy typically covers:

• The building’s structure – walls, roof, floors, and any fixed features like built-in cabinets or appliances that belong to them.
• Their liability – if someone is injured in a common area, like the lobby or hallway, and sues the landlord.
• Repairs after damage – caused by things like fire, storm, or burst pipes, but only for the property itself, not the contents of your rental.

Here’s the critical part: none of this extends to your personal property, your liability, or your living expenses if you’re forced to move out temporarily.

What Isn’t Covered by Your Landlord’s Insurance?

Even if your landlord has a rock-solid policy, it generally won’t cover:

• Your belongings – furniture, clothing, electronics, and everything else you own. For example, if the dishwasher leaks and ruins the floor, your landlord’s insurance should cover floor repair, but it won’t cover the replacement of your area rug.
• Your personal liability – if someone gets hurt inside your unit (e.g., trips over your rug) or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property.
• Additional living expenses – like a hotel or rental costs if your unit becomes uninhabitable after a fire or flood

Without tenant insurance, replacing your items or covering these costs would be entirely up to you. For more details, check out our blog for a comprehensive list of What Does (and does not) Tenant Insurance Cover?

How Tenant Insurance Protects You

Tenant insurance is designed to fill those gaps. A typical policy includes:

1. Contents Coverage – Protects your belongings from risks like fire, theft, water damage, or vandalism, whether they’re inside your home or temporarily elsewhere (like in your car or at a storage unit).
2. Personal Liability – Covers you if you accidentally cause damage to someone else’s property or if someone gets injured while visiting your unit.
3. Additional Living Expenses – Helps pay for a hotel, short-term rental, or even restaurant meals if you have to move out during repairs.

Myth-Busting Tenant Insurance

• “I don’t own much, so it’s not worth it.” Even a modest amount of furniture, clothing, and electronics can easily add up to thousands of dollars in replacement costs.
• “It’s too expensive.” Tenant insurance is often surprisingly affordable—sometimes less than the cost of a couple of takeout dinners a month. Although that depends on what you order 😉
• “My landlord will help if something happens.” Your landlord’s responsibility stops at the property they own; your costs are yours alone.

Dive into more true or false perceptions about tenant insurance in our previous blog: Myth Busting Tenant Insurance in Nova Scotia.

To recap, your landlord’s insurance keeps the property safe and legal, but it doesn’t protect you. Tenant insurance is an affordable way to protect your belongings, your finances, and your peace of mind.

If you’re unsure how much coverage you need—or what’s included in a tenant insurance policy— our Bauld Insurance Advisors can help you find a plan that fits your lifestyle and budget. Contact us today for more information and to find the right policy for you. Protect your space. Protect yourself.