Renters insurance in Ontario is inexpensive, widely available, and increasingly required by landlords — yet many Ontario tenants still go without it. At $20–$35/month for a typical policy, tenant insurance protects everything in your apartment that the landlord’s building insurance does not: your furniture, electronics, clothing, and critically, your personal liability. This guide covers what Ontario tenants pay, what’s covered, and which insurers to compare.
Ontario tenant insurance is typically affordable compared to home insurance. To understand your legal obligation, see do I need tenant’s insurance? and compare options in our best tenant insurance Canada guide. All policies are reviewed in the home insurance hub.
Average Renters Insurance Costs in Ontario
By City
| City | Monthly Average | Annual Average |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | $25–$45 | $300–$540 |
| Mississauga | $22–$38 | $264–$456 |
| Brampton | $25–$42 | $300–$504 |
| Ottawa | $20–$32 | $240–$384 |
| Hamilton | $20–$32 | $240–$384 |
| London | $18–$28 | $216–$336 |
| Kitchener / Waterloo | $18–$28 | $216–$336 |
| Barrie | $18–$28 | $216–$336 |
| Kingston | $17–$26 | $204–$312 |
| Windsor | $18–$28 | $216–$336 |
| Smaller Ontario cities | $15–$25 | $180–$300 |
Toronto’s higher rates reflect higher theft risk, older building infrastructure (sewer backup risk), and more frequent claims in dense urban environments.
By Coverage Level
| Coverage Level | Monthly Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $15–$20 | $20K contents, $1M liability, $5K ALE |
| Standard | $20–$35 | $40K contents, $1M–$2M liability, $15K ALE |
| Comprehensive | $35–$55 | $60K+ contents, $2M liability, water/sewer add-ons |
What Ontario Renters Insurance Covers
| Coverage | Included |
|---|---|
| Personal property (furniture, electronics, clothing) | Yes |
| Personal liability ($1M–$2M) | Yes |
| Additional living expenses | Yes |
| Theft — from your unit | Yes |
| Theft — from your car (contents) | Yes |
| Fire and smoke damage | Yes |
| Water damage from burst pipes | Yes |
| Overland flooding | No — add-on |
| Sewer backup | No — add-on (recommended in Toronto) |
| Earthquake | No — add-on |
| Roommate’s belongings | No — they need their own policy |
| Building itself | No — landlord’s responsibility |
Ontario-Specific: Sewer Backup
Toronto and many Ontario cities have aging combined sewer systems that back up during heavy rainfall. Sewer backup coverage costs $5–$15/month extra and is strongly recommended for Toronto tenants, particularly in basement units.
Best Renters Insurance Companies in Ontario
| Insurer | Notes |
|---|---|
| Intact Insurance | Large market, strong Ontario presence |
| TD Insurance | Competitive, multi-product bundle |
| Desjardins | Competitive Ontario rates |
| Aviva | Strong Ontario market |
| Sonnet Insurance | Online-first, often cheapest for straightforward policies |
| The Co-operators | Cooperative model |
| Wawanesa | Growing Ontario |
| CAA Insurance | Member discounts |
| PolicyMe | Comparison tool, competitive |
Bundle tip: If you have a vehicle, bundling renters and auto insurance saves 10–25% on both policies. This alone is often the single biggest saving available.
How to Save on Ontario Tenant Insurance
| Strategy | Savings |
|---|---|
| Bundle with auto insurance | 10–25% |
| Increase deductible | 10–20% |
| Install monitored alarm | 5–15% |
| Smoke detectors and sprinklers | 5–10% |
| Claims-free loyalty | 5–10% |
| Pay annually | 2–5% |
| Only insure what you need | Audit coverage annually |
Ontario Landlord Requirement
Many Ontario landlords now include a clause in their standard lease requiring tenants to maintain a minimum tenant insurance policy (typically $1M liability) throughout the tenancy. If your landlord requires proof of insurance, insurers can provide a certificate of insurance naming your landlord or property management company.
What You Need to Get a Quote
- Your address and unit number
- Number of occupants
- Estimated value of your contents
- Desired liability limit
- Whether you want add-ons (sewer backup, overland flood)
- Current auto insurance provider (for bundle discount)
The entire process takes 10–15 minutes online and policies can start the same day.