Toronto Community Housing

About tenant insurance

Under your lease, you are responsible for getting insurance for your belongings. This type of insurance is usually called contents insurance or renters’ insurance.

Why you need insurance

Imagine your home suddenly floods because of a burst pipe, or a fire breaks out unexpectedly.

Can you cover the cost to replace your personal items like furniture, clothing, food, electronics, jewelry, or medication?

If you need to relocate from your unit, can you afford the cost of a hotel stay or temporary rental?

$20,000: the average cost to replace everything in a one-bedroom unit.
$200: the average cost of one night's stay in a hotel.

Toronto Community Housing’s (TCHC) insurance policy covers damages to the building only. It will not pay to replace your personal belongings if something like a fire, flood, or other emergency damages your home.

How tenant insurance can help

It covers items in your home. If your personal belongings, like your furniture, electronics, clothes, food, jewelry, or medication are damaged or stolen, tenant insurance can help you replace or repair them.

It protects you against liability. Accidents happen. Tenant insurance can help cover costs you’re responsible for if you’re at fault for damage or injury, like a kitchen fire or if your pet bites someone.

It covers temporary living costs. If you can’t stay in your home because of a fire, flood, or other emergency, insurance can help cover the costs of hotel stays or a short-term rental.

Insurance and E-Bikes

Toronto Community Housing has a new Electric Mobility Device (E-Device) policy.

If you store an E-Bike in your unit, you’re required to have tenant insurance. It’s your responsibility to check with your insurance company to see if having, using, storing, or charging an E-Bike in your unit affects your coverage.

Affordable insurance providers

Below are a few suggestions for affordable insurance providers. However, you can get tenant insurance from any company of your choice.

Housing Services Corporation provides insurance designed for tenants who live in social housing. You can get information about rates and coverage at hscorp.ca/tenant-insurance or by calling 1-866-940-5111 (TRS 7-1-1).
TD Insurance also offers flexible tenant insurance coverage to meet your needs. To get a quote, contact 1-866-361-2311 (TRS 7-1-1).

When applying for tenant insurance, you'll have to answer a few basic questions to help identify the coverage that fits your needs. Questions may include the address where you are living and the estimated value of your belongings.

Do you get income from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program? Your insurance costs may be covered under your shelter allowance. Please speak with your case worker to learn more.

If you have questions about what kind of insurance is right for you, call the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 416-362-9528 (TRS 7-1-1), Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also visit ibc.ca to learn more.

Insurance claims

As a property owner, TCHC is responsible for making sure its properties are well-maintained and safe, within reasonable standards. This legal responsibility is referred to as a “duty of care” under the Occupier’s Liability Act.

However, accidents can happen. TCHC is not automatically responsible for your damages. In the event of a claim, contact your insurance company first. Your policy may offer you more coverage.

If you feel that TCHC did not meet its legal responsibility, follow our three stage process to file a claim.

Note: This process is for making a claim with TCHC only. TCHC does not help you manage your claim with your insurance provider.

Tenant insurance can help when emergencies happen.

Tenant insurance helps cover the cost of replacing your belongings. This includes clothing, food, furniture, and medication. It can also help pay for a place to stay if your home is damaged.

Learn how to find affordable insurance.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I don’t have insurance?

If an incident occurs in your unit, like a fire or flood, and your personal belongings are damaged, you will need to cover the cost of replacing your items.

If you are found responsible for damaging property or injuring another person, you may be responsible for all legal costs. This could include lawyer fees, settlements, or court judgment costs.

Am I covered under Toronto Community Housing’s insurance?

No. The TCHC insurance policy covers damages to the building only. It will not replace your personal belongings if a fire, flood, or other emergency damages your home.

What kind of affordable insurance options do I have?

Housing Services Corporation (HSC) Tenant Insurance offers insurance designed for tenants who live in social housing. You can get information about rates and coverage on their website at hscorp.ca or by calling 1-866-940-5111 (TRS 7-1-1).

However, you can get tenant insurance from any provider you choose.

Compare quotes online, ask about discounts, and only pay for the coverage you need. You might also get a discount through your bank, school, or by bundling with other policies. Learn how to find affordable insurance that fits your budget.

How much does tenant insurance cost?

The cost varies. However, basic coverage can start at around $15 to $30 per month. You can lower the price by looking for discounts, bundling with car insurance, or adjusting your coverage. Learn how to find affordable insurance.

How do I know what type of insurance is right for me?

If you have questions about what kind of insurance is right for you, call the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 416-362-9528 (TRS 7-1-1), Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also visit their website at ibc.ca to learn more.

How do I provide proof of insurance to Toronto Community Housing?

Once you receive your insurance policy, let your Tenant Services Coordinator (TSC) know the name of your insurance provider and your policy number. They will keep it on file for you.

I receive income from Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Do I still need tenant insurance?

Yes. You are required, under your lease, to get insurance for your unit and your belongings. If some or all your income is from OW or ODSP, these programs may cover the cost of contents insurance. Speak with your case worker to learn more.

Can I be evicted if I don’t have tenant insurance?

No. At this time, you won’t be evicted for not having tenant insurance. However, we do recommend getting coverage to protect yourself in case of emergency like fire or flood.

Do I have to have tenant insurance if I have an E-Bike in my unit?

Yes. If you store an E-Bike in your unit, you’re required to have tenant insurance. Tenant insurance is also a requirement of your lease with TCHC.

It’s your responsibility to check with your insurance company to see if having, using, storing, or charging an E-Bike in your unit affects your coverage.

Who should I talk to if I have additional questions about tenant insurance?

If you have questions about tenant insurance, contact risk@torontohousing.ca.

Download a copy of our complete FAQs (PDF).

Tenant insurance

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