Yes, a student who is dependent on you or your spouse is considered an “insured person” under this policy, which means they are covered by your Tenant Insurance policy while living in residence.
Why Choose Duuo?
Duuo was created by Co-operators to make insurance easy, flexible, and online. That’s why our tenant insurance (or renters insurance) has been designed just for renters.
There are no annual commitments and no cancellation fees, unlike with other renters insurance providers in Canada. With Duuo you just go month-to-month, and you can turn off your tenant insurance if you don’t need it anymore. Easy!
What is tenant insurance for renters?
Tenant insurance has a few different names. You might have also heard it called “renters insurance”, “condo tenant insurance” or “content insurance”.
There are two things you need to know about this type of insurance:
- It’s home insurance for people who rent (not own) the home they live in.
- It’s taken out by renters, not landlords (unlike landlord’s insurance).
If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place!
We’ve tried our best to simplify a few concepts with helpful examples, but we’ve also put together a clear policy summary that has a bit more detail. Or, if you’re having trouble sleeping you can read the full policy.
What does tenant insurance cover?
A renter’s insurance needs are different to those of home owners. That’s why tenant insurance offers coverage designed specifically for renters. Tenant insurance covers three really important things, but sometimes they can be tricky to understand. Let us translate for you:
Your “personal liability”: This is your protection against lawsuits.
Your “additional living expenses”: This is money you can use if you can’t stay in your home for some reason.
Your “contents coverage”: This is the money you can use towards the replacement cost of your personal belongings if they get damaged or stolen.
How much is tenant insurance and how do I get it?
You can get an exact price for your own insurance policy easily online by hitting the “Get Quote” button below. There are only two key things you need to decide:
- Your personal liability limit (1 or 2 million dollars)
- Your contents coverage limit ($25K, $50K, $75K or $100K)
Once you choose the most appropriate option for you, and if you like your price, you can purchase insurance in just a few minutes. We like to keep things simple at Duuo.
Click the button below to get your tenant insurance quote now!
Testimonials
So why do I need tenant insurance?
We’ve outlined a few situations where tenant insurance coverage will protect you in the event of an unlikely accident!
Personal liability coverage
Lawsuits can happen for all kinds of reasons, that’s why it’s good to be protected.
Example 1: One of your guests is rushing through the living room, trips on a power cord, and hurts themselves really badly. We don’t like to think someone would ever sue us. But hey, it happens.
Example 2: Did you accidentally leave your sink running before you left home today? If you flood your downstairs neighbour’s apartment, you’ll be facing a very angry landlord (and a very big bill). Duuo protects you from stuff like that too.
Additional living expenses
We should just call this, “You can’t sleep in your home tonight because something happened to it” insurance. But that’s probably too long of a name.
Example: Let’s say it’s actually your upstairs neighbour who left their sink on. Now your rental apartment is flooded. The first thing you’ll need to figure out is where you’re going to live that week. Tenant insurance pays for things like a hotel.
Contents coverage
Oh yeah, your actual stuff! Your most prized possessions in the world… and that piece of furniture that you used to like but kind of regret now.
Example: Let’s stick with that neighbour from upstairs who flooded your place. In addition to structural property damage, the water also destroyed… basically everything you own. Think about your TV, your laptop, your furniture, and your clothes – all underwater. Duuo’s content insurance for renters will provide money to help you replace these things.
What is my stuff worth?
You might think, “I’m moving into a new place, I don’t really have that much stuff!”
While you may be waiting until you move in to your new rental before you max out your credit card at HomeSense, it’s important to take account of all the items you’ll have in your new place, it might add up to more than you think.
In addition to high ticket items, it’s important to consider things like clothes, bikes, personal mementos, heating and cooling units, vacuums, and cooking equipment.
3 things you need to know about tenant insurance
In the first installment of our tenant insurance series, we break down the three C’s of tenant insurance that you need to consider before purchasing a policy: coverage, cost, and claims!
Is tenant insurance mandatory?
The short answer is “Nope, tenant insurance is not mandatory”. The slightly longer answer is, “Tenant insurance is not mandatory…unless your landlord says it is.” If this happens you can get Duuo Tenant Insurance online in about five minutes.
Once I have tenant insurance, what happens if something happens?
Good question! You’re now referring to what we call a “claim” in insurance land. And at Duuo, we like to ensure making claims is as easy as possible. If something does happen, you’ll just simply answer a few questions from our fancy Claims Bot, and then one of our friendly humans will be in touch with you right away to talk about it.
We’ll walk you through the process and explain the next steps. You’ll also be able to follow the status of your claim online at all times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We have answers!
Can I cancel my policy at any time?
Yes, you can! We do not apply any midterm cancellation fees at any time.
We suggest waiting until you are close to the date you wish to cancel because once you do, we cannot change the cancellation date or reinstate that policy for you. When you are ready, log into your Duuo account to cancel your policy. You can select a cancellation date up to 60 days in advance.
Depending on the cancellation date you select, you will be charged for the portion of the month that has passed, and the rest of the cost will be refunded to you. For example, if your insurance costs $20 monthly and you cancel halfway through, $10 will be refunded.
When will I be charged for my monthly tenant insurance policy?
When you are ready to purchase your coverage, the first payment is taken immediately and will cover the first month (or a partial month, if you purchase during the middle of the month).
Since our coverage renews on the 1st of every month, our automated payment system will attempt to collect the premium for the upcoming policy on the last day of each month (at approx. 12:01 a.m. EST).
If the first payment is missed, our system will attempt a charge once every 72 hours, with a maximum of four attempts during the payment grace period.
- This means the payment is attempted the last day of each month, then again on the 3rd, the 6th, and the final attempt on the 9th).
- There will be no interruption to your coverage as long as premium is paid within four attempts of the grace period.
If required, please log into your Duuo account to update the credit card that we have on file. Unfortunately, we are not able to process a manual payment within the automated system.
Do I need to consent to the credit check? What if I change my mind?
Since your credit score is a rating factor for tenant insurance, we do require your consent. Without this, we cannot provide you a quote.
If you complete the quote and do not wish to move forward with the policy purchase, you can remove consent by updating the details in your Duuo account under your personal information.
My child is currently a student living in residence. Are they covered by my Tenant Insurance policy?
Are my roommate(s) covered under my tenant insurance policy?
No, your roommate(s) would not be covered under this policy.
When the policy is purchased, the name on the policy is the policy holder and named insured. The only other name that should be specifically listed on the certificate is an immediate family member that is also listed on the lease or rental agreement, if required by the landlord.
One other person who needs to be specifically listed is a romantic partner, if they are not automatically covered under the definition of spouse (meaning you have been living together for less than 3 years.) We will allow coverage under our policy once they are listed as an additional insured.
Other immediate family members are automatically covered if they meet the definition found in the policy wordings, they do not need to be listed on the certificate to have coverage under the policy.
Definitions:
Spouse: Legally married or living together for 3 years or more (automatically covered).
Immediate family members: Spouse, children, siblings, parents. (automatically covered).
Romantic partner: In a romantic relationship and living together for less than 3 years. A romantic partner differs from a roommate. (Name needs to be added to be covered).
** Please note roommates or other people living in the home, that are not immediate family members, are not covered under this policy. They are required to have their own insurance policy.
How do I file a claim? Is there a deductible?
If you need to submit a claim, log into your Duuo account and select the claims tab. The red + in the top right corner will start the claims process.
** There is no deductible for personal liability claims. However, there is a $1,000 deductible on property claims.
Your claims advisor will review the details further.
Who is automatically covered under the policy and who can be added to the certificate of insurance?
When the policy is purchased, the name on the policy is the policy holder and named insured. The only other name that should be specifically listed on the certificate is an immediate family member that is also listed on the lease or rental agreement, if required by the landlord.
One other person who needs to be specifically listed is a romantic partner, if they are not automatically covered under the definition of spouse (see definition below). We will allow coverage under the policy once they are listed as an additional insured.
Other immediate family members are automatically covered if they meet the definition found in the policy wordings. They do not need to be listed on the certificate to have coverage under the policy.
Definitions:
Spouse: Legally married or living together for 3 years or more (automatically covered).
Immediate family members: Spouse, children, siblings, parents. (automatically covered).
Romantic partner: In a romantic relationship and living together for less than 3 years. A romantic partner differs from a roommate. (Name needs to be added to be covered).
** Please note roommates or other people living in the home, that are not immediate family members, are not covered under this policy. They are required to have their own insurance policy.
Are there any extra coverages under this policy I may not have heard about?
Yes! We also provide a number of extensions of coverage to protect you against loss or expense from many other situations that may come up in your life, under the Tenant’s policy.
For the full list of coverages, and any limitations that may apply to them we suggest you read our Full Policy, or start an instant chat with us if you have any questions.
I’m moving, how do I change my address?
Duuo is a digital, on-demand, self-serve platform. If you need to change your address, don’t worry! You can cancel your current policy and repurchase a new one with your new address.
** If only the unit number needs to be updated, please contact us. This change does not require you to cancel and repurchase a new policy.
Steps to cancel and repurchase:
- Log into your Duuo account and select ‘Cancel Coverage’ for the date you want to cancel. Ensure you select the last day you need coverage.
- Next, proceed to purchase a new policy as normal by selecting ‘Add Address’ in the top right-hand corner of your dashboard screen.
- When you cancel a policy, Duuo will automatically issue a refund. However, it can take up to 5-10 business days to show up in your account, depending on your financial institution.
- Ensure you also update your mailing address. Repurchasing does not automatically update the personal information on your account.
What is the difference between Replacement Cost and Actual Cash Value? Which settlement does Duuo offer for my Tenant Insurance?
- Replacement Cost refers to the cost of repairing or replacing your contents. It’s the cost of buying a brand-new version of the damaged or stolen item.
- Actual Cash Value means you would receive what your item is worth today. That likely would not be enough money to buy a new replacement.
That’s why Duuo offers Replacement Cost! Replacement cost, except actual cash value, applies to the following:
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Property is not usable for its original purpose.
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Articles that cannot be replaced with new ones because of their inherent nature (fine art, antiques, paintings, etc.).
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Articles for which their age or history contributes to their value (memorabilia, souvenirs, collectables).
How do I change my tenant policy liability or personal property contents limit?
If you need to change your selected tenant insurance coverage limit(s), not a problem! Simply cancel your current policy and repurchase a new one with your new limit.
Steps to cancel and repurchase:
Log into your Duuo account and select ‘Cancel Coverage’ for the date you want to cancel. Ensure you select the last day you need coverage.
- Next, proceed to purchase a new policy as normal by selecting ‘Add Address’ in the top right-hand corner of your dashboard screen.
- When you cancel a policy, Duuo will automatically issue a refund. However, it can take up to 5-10 business days to show up in your account, depending on your financial institution.
- Ensure you also update your mailing address. Repurchasing does not automatically update the personal information on your account.
Where is Duuo Tenants Monthly insurance available?
Duuo is available in all Canadian provinces except Newfoundland, and the territories.
Why is my friend paying less for tenant insurance?
Several factors go into a quote, such as:
- Credit score
- Postal code
- Losses in the area
- Crime and fire rating
- Claims history
These will be different for every person, so someone living in the same housing situation as you could have a different premium due to a different credit score and/or claims history.
If you have further questions, please refer to our other articles or contact our customer support team.
How do I obtain a Certificate of Insurance/Confirmation of Insurance?
You can access the ‘Confirmation of Insurance’ from your online Duuo account.
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Log into your Duuo Account
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Navigate to the ‘Summary’ section of your policy – Other Insurance – select ‘tenant’
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Click on the red arrow next to your Policy #, as shown below
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Scroll down to the Confirmation of Insurance (PDF) section
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Click ‘Open’ to gain access to your Confirmation of Insurance
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Why does my Duuo Tenant Insurance policy show as expiring at the end of the month?
Our month-to-month policies act like a subscription service, providing flexibility to ensure you have coverage when you need it and how you want it. Duuo does not charge activation, service, or cancellation fees!
On the 1st of each month, you will see a new policy issued unless the policy was cancelled.
Unfortunately, we do not offer annual policies at this time.
Why can the cost of a Duuo monthly tenant insurance premium fluctuate from month-to-month?
The premium can change as a result of multiple rating factors. These can include, but are not limited to:
• Credit score fluctuation
• Postal code
• Losses in the area
• Crime and fire rating
• Claims history
These factors will be different for every person, which means that the rating could decrease as well. In our experience, the premium does not fluctuate drastically, and you will always be notified beforehand of any premium change.
If you have any further questions, please refer to our other articles or reach out to our customer support team.
My landlord requires a yearly tenant policy, does Duuo offer annual policies?
At Duuo, we offer month-to-month tenant insurance policies rather than annual policies. During the online quoting process, you will be able to add your landlord’s email so that your landlord can be notified of a policy purchase and/or cancellation.
If you have already purchased a tenant insurance policy, you can provide us with your landlord’s email address to be notified when the policy is cancelled.
Alternatively, you can download your ‘Confirmation of Insurance’ each month and manually send this to your landlord.
If you have any further questions, please refer to our other articles or contact our customer support team.
How do I cancel my Tenant Insurance?
We’re sorry to see you go!
To cancel your policy:
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Log into your online Duuo account.
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Navigate to the tenant dashboard – select ‘Cancel Coverage.’
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Select the last day you will need a full day of coverage and click ‘Cancel Coverage.’
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Review the details and select ‘Yes’ to cancel your policy!
A pop-up will appear informing you that your coverage cancellation will take effect at 12:01 am the day after your last full coverage day.
If you need to repurchase you can start a new policy by selecting ‘Add Address’ in the top right-hand corner of your dashboard screen.
How do I change the start date of my tenant insurance?
If you need to change the start date of your insurance, you can cancel your current policy and repurchase with the new start date.
Steps to cancel and repurchase:
Log into your Duuo account and select ‘Cancel Coverage’ for the date you want to cancel. Ensure you select the last day you need coverage.
- Next, proceed to purchase a new policy as normal by selecting ‘Add Address’ in the top right-hand corner of your dashboard screen.
- When you cancel a policy, Duuo will automatically issue a refund. However, it can take up to 5-10 business days to show up in your account, depending on your financial institution.
Will my tenant insurance policy cover me if I rent out my space on a platform like Airbnb or VBRO?
No, our tenant insurance policy does not cover home-sharing activities. That means if you have purchased tenant insurance to provide coverage for your rented home, apartment, or condo, your policy will not cover you if an accident occurs as a result of home-sharing activities.
After my policy is purchased, how do I add someone to the certificate, or make another change?
The easiest way to make a change is to cancel the policy and repurchase. This way, you do not have to wait to connect with our customer support team. You can cancel your policy from your online Duuo account and repurchase with the corrected information.
Steps to cancel and repurchase:
Log into your Duuo account and select ‘Cancel Coverage’ for the date you want to cancel. Ensure you select the last day you need coverage.
- Next, proceed to purchase a new policy as normal by selecting ‘Add Address’ in the top right-hand corner of your dashboard screen.
- When you cancel a policy, Duuo will automatically issue a refund. However, it can take up to 5-10 business days to show up in your account, depending on your financial institution.
Does Duuo provide coverage for studio tours?
Unfortunately, Duuo does not provide coverage for homeowners or tenants participating in studio tours, in which event attendees visit homes as part of a studio or travelling tour.
My policy status is “pending”, how do I change that status?
‘Pending’ indicates that you have not yet purchased coverage, or the policy has not yet started.
Can I add my partner to my Duuo tenant insurance policy if we are not married?
Yes, romantic partners can be added to your policy!
If you have been living together for more than 3 years, your partner will already be covered under the definition of ‘spouse,’ and you do not need to specifically list them on the certificate.
If you have not been living together for 3 years or want to see them on the certificate specifically, you can add your partner as an additional insured in the quote process.
Roommates or friends cannot be added and would require a separate policy under their own Duuo account and linked to their own email address.
Why would I want to add my landlords’ email to the policy?
Although the landlord is not listed as an insured on the tenant policy, adding their details will allow Duuo to send the proof of insurance when the policy is purchased. We will also send a notice of cancellation if/when the policy is cancelled for any reason.
Many landlords require proof of tenant insurance, and they like to know they will be notified if coverage is cancelled since it is a monthly policy.