IBC Top 10: Reasons to Purchase Tenant's Insurance

EDMONTON, Sept. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - The back-to-school season has begun and many students have packed up and moved away for college or university. As parents and students finish off their to-do lists to complete the big move, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reminds them about one very important item that is often overlooked: tenant's insurance.    

"From pots and pans to expensive laptops, students have more stuff and potential liability than they realize, so it's important to make sure they're protected," explained Bill Adams, Vice-President, Western and Pacific, IBC. "Buying tenant's insurance is a simple way to ensure you do not incur serious financial stress in the future. As college and university students head back to school, IBC provides its top 10 reasons to purchase tenant insurance."

IBC's top 10 reasons to purchase tenant's insurance includes:

1.       It's easy.

• Talk to your parents about their coverage. You may be covered under their policy.
• In many cases, you can get coverage right over the phone. Call your insurance representative. All you need is a list of your belongings and an estimated value of your expensive items to ensure accurate coverage.

2.       It's affordable.

• Tenant's insurance will cost less in a month than daily coffee runs to the cafe. 

3.       It protects your stuff.

• From furniture to expensive laptops, insurance will protect it.

4.      You own more stuff than you think.

• Many are surprised to realize how much stuff they actually have and how expensive it would be to replace all of it at once.
• When purchasing insurance, be sure to keep an updated record of everything you own. Taking pictures or video of your belongings also helps.

5.       It covers additional expenses after a loss. 

• If a fire occurs in your apartment, you will need a place to stay temporarily. Insurance will cover these necessary expenses while your apartment is being repaired.

6.      It protects you if you damage someone else's property in your building.

• Tenants are responsible for harm they cause to any part of their building. Tenant's insurance is there to help cover the damage.

7.       It protects you if you cause someone harm in your building. 

• Tenants are potentially responsible for the harm they cause others who live or visit their unit. Tenant's insurance would help cover the costs associated with this type of claim.

8.      It protects you in the event of a lawsuit related to your rental unit.

• A standard insurance policy provides coverage, including defence fees and potential settlements, in the case of a lawsuit commenced by a third party.

9.      You can't afford not to have it.

• If something did occur, it would be financially straining to replace all of your belongings, cover costs of damages to the apartment and cover potential lawsuit fees.

10.   It would make your parents proud.

• Taking this responsible step as you leave home will earn you points with your parents and give them peace of mind.  

"IBC encourages you to talk to an insurance representative to find out more about tenant's insurance. For further information, consumers can contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-877-772-3777 ext. 222 in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba or 1-800-377-6378 in Alberta," added Adams.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is pleased to celebrate 50 years as a valuable resource for insurance information. Since 1964, IBC has been working with governments across Canada to make our communities safer, championing issues that directly affect Canadians and the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. IBC is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the private P&C insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 118,600 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes and levies to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $48 billion.

To view media releases and other information, visit the media section of IBC's website at www.ibc.ca. Follow IBC on Twitter @InsuranceBureau or like us on Facebook.

If you require more information, IBC spokespeople are available to discuss the details in this media release.

SOURCE: Insurance Bureau of Canada

To schedule an interview, please contact: Celyeste Power, Manager, Media Relations, 416-362-2031 ext. 4312 (daytime), 647-384-9872 (after hours), [email protected]