Does renters insurance cover bed bugs?

If you're getting renters insurance for the first time, there's a chance that there are numerous unanswered questions swirling around your head.

Do I need renter's insurance in Canada? Can I be evicted for not having renters insurance? Does renters insurance cover fire? And does renters insurance cover bed bugs? If these are some of the questions you've come across throughout your journey of navigating renters insurance policies, you're not alone.

To learn more about bed bug infestations and insurance obligations, keep reading.

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are a micro insect commonly found in homes. Because of how small they are, bed bugs are typically found in numerous hiding spots including your mattress, electrical outlets, second hand furniture, box springs, and other spaces in your apartment building that have high heat levels.

Once the bugs get into your home, they can spread quickly from one location to the next and typically come out at night while you're sleeping. Bed bugs feed on animal and human blood, which can lead to bed bug bites that turn into itchy welts along your arms, legs, abdomen, and face.

Does my renters insurance policy cover bed bug infestation?

The short answer is no, bed bugs are not covered by renters insurance coverage--neither are other vermin infestations for that matter. The way that insurance companies see it, bed bugs are considered your landlord's responsibility to handle as it is a maintenance issue.

Most renters insurance policies are meant to cover sudden and unexpected events. And given that bed bugs and other pests are seen as being preventable, it's your landlord's responsibility to coordinate with a pest control professional who can deal with your bed bug issue.

That said, it is possible that some renters policies offer bed bug infestation as a covered peril you can add onto your standard plan. We recommend that if you're in the market for a renters insurance policy that you shop around and ask each provider whether bed bug coverage is available.

What does my renters insurance cover?

Okay, so if an insurance company won't cover bed bugs or other pests, what exactly does a renters insurance policy provide coverage for? The types of insurance coverage offered by tenant insurance is as follows:

Contents coverage

The contents coverage portion of your renters insurance will reimburse you if your personal property is damaged as a result of the covered perils listed in your policy. This includes coverage for fires, theft, vandalism, and certain natural disasters that damage your personal property.

Personal liability insurance

Personal liability provides coverage to renters in the event someone is injured or their property is damaged while at your rental unit. With liability insurance for renters you'll be covered for repairs and replacements for property damage, medical costs, legal fees, settlement costs, and other expenses that may arise if a lawsuit is filed against you.

Additional living expenses

In the event your living space is damaged to a certain extent that it is not safe to live there, additional living expenses will pay for your accommodations, meals, and other costs until your rental unit is restored or until you find a new rental.

Optional renters insurance policies

Beyond your basic renters policy, renters insurance companies also offer add-on coverage options to tenants including the following:

• Overland flooding coverage: If you live in a basement suite or near a body of water, overland flooding insurance will provide coverage if your belongings experience water damage.

• Sewer backup coverage: Sewer backup will protect you in the event raw sewage enters your living space due to flooding, clogs, and other plumbing problems.

• Identity theft: If someone breaks into your home and steals your personal identification information, identity theft coverage will reimburse you for the cost or replacing your documents.

When crafting your first budget and making your plans for spending and saving, remember that any add-ons to your renters insurance will be an extra cost that is tacked onto your monthly premium.

Is home insurance mandatory in Canada?

So, is homeowner's insurance a legal requirement in Canada? No, it's not illegal to not have renters insurance. But, your landlord can require you for insurance grounds and as a condition in your lease agreement.

And with so many Canadian cities for renting a home out there, it's also important to mention that you can experience a landlord rent increase each year, but the amount of the increase will depend on the specific rules in the province and territory you live in.

What other events are not considered a covered loss?

The way renters insurance claims work is when an insured peril occurs in your rental home, you're responsible for documenting the evidence and notifying your insurance company. But, this doesn't work for all types of damage.

So, what types of events are not considered covered perils besides bed bug infestations and vermin? Generally speaking, renters insurance does not offer coverage for damages that occur as a result of a natural disaster, intentional damage or damage done as a result of illegal activities performed by the policyholder, damage caused to high-value items, or damage caused to your roommates items.

In this case, each tenant needs renters insurance to have property damage protection and liability coverage.

What should I do if I have bed bugs in my rental unit?

If you find that you have a bed bug infestation in your rental home, the best thing you can do is contact your landlord and run your bed bug complaints by them as soon as possible to inform them. With your landlord responsible for the damage, they'll then need to coordinate with a bed bug extermination business who is qualified to kill bed bugs and any other infestation problem you may have.

Depending on your landlord, they may compensate you for your accommodations. However, this is not guaranteed and your landlord could deny your request to compensate you.

How to prevent bugs from getting into your home

While it may be difficult to find bed bug coverage for your renters insurance, there are ways you can prevent bed bug infestations from happening in the first place by following these tips:

Think twice about vintage furniture

While vintage and other furniture can serve as a great design feature in your home, renters should be wary about where they're buying second hand pieces. Check each furniture piece before bringing them into your interior.

You may also want to properly clean the furniture using a steamer and other cleaning products.

Use plastic bags to transport laundry

Because laundry facilities see so much foot traffic throughout the week, they can become a hotspot for bed bugs, which you can pick up while folding your laundry.

If you have shared laundry facilities in your apartment building, you can prevent an infestation of bed bugs by transferring your bedding and clothing directly from your dryer and into a plastic bag to fold in your apartment.

Reduce clutter in your apartment

Another way to reduce the risk of bed bugs is decluttering your interior. The less hiding places for bed bugs to have, the less of an opportunity for the bed bugs to go unseen.

Check bedding and clothing often

Renters should also make sure that they check their bedding and clothing often, especially after travelling.

Use light coloured mattress covers

Use a light mattress colour to identify the possibility of bed bugs day-to-day. Bed bugs are dark brown in colour and will reflect more easily with light bedding.

Protect your financial interests with KOHO

While you can't fully prevent bed bugs from getting into your home, you can protect your interests as a tenant against other unforeseen events with the right renters insurance policy.

There are a million and one reasons why you should get insurance early rather than wait until after an incident happens in your home, and KOHO is here to help you get a renters policy you feel confident in.

We're your source for all things tenant insurance related. Whether you've got questions like, "how is homeowner's insurance calculated in Canada? How much does renters insurance cost for an apartment? How much of your income should rent be?" or are not sure whether to rent vs own home, count on KOHO to give you the answers you've been looking for.

We can even help you save on monthly expenses with a high-interest savings account and overdraft protection coverage!

Tired of renting with bad credit? Build your credit with KOHO and get a free credit score check with us at any time.