'Highly recommend': Fires in Winnipeg highlight the importance of tenant insurance
A fire at a Winnipeg apartment block that destroyed the building and displaced 180 people has highlighted the importance of tenant insurance.
Last month, a fire ripped through Quail Ridge Apartment Homes, leaving some people with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Several of the people who lived in the building said they don’t have tenant insurance and are now relying on donated food, money and clothes.
Kelly Melchor, executive director of Winnipeg Insurance Brokers Ltd., said she recommends all renters get tenant insurance.
“Legally, you don’t need to have renter's insurance, but there are going to be some places that will require you to have it…but we would highly recommend, even if it’s not necessary to have, that everyone always insures themselves with renter's insurance,” Melchor said in an interview on Thursday.
Tenant insurance covers a wide variety of issues, including damages and losses caused by theft, smoke, fire, water and vandalism. It helps cover the cost of repairs for accidental damages, as well as guest injuries in your rental unit. Tenant insurance can also protect you if an animal you own injures someone.
Melchor said tenant insurance also helps renters who end up displaced due to situations like the fire at Quail Ridge Apartment Homes.
“If there’s a total loss due to a fire, and you can’t live in your unit for a period of time, your insurance policy can pay for you to have alternate living arrangements until you’re able to get back into your place,” she said.
Melchor explained there are different insurance packages people can get, adding that some of them are “quite affordable.” She said you can build on your package based on the type of coverage you are looking for.
“We don’t want people to undervalue what they’ve got,” she said.
“Think about how much would it cost to replace these if you’re starting brand new. Think about the deductible amounts that you’re going to want to have. Think about any specialty items.”
Melchor recommends working with an insurance broker if possible to ensure that you don’t miss out on anything and get coverage for everything you need.
“It’s really important that you’re working with a broker, that you’re learning about what it is that you need, so that when that time comes, you don’t have any questions about what you have coverage for,” she said.
- With files from CTV’s Ainsley McPhail and Michelle Gerwing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Being harassed at work? What to consider when deciding what to do next
If you've been the victim of workplace harassment, it can be difficult to feel you're not alone - and even more difficult to know where to go with a complaint.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Half of Canadians support TikTok ban, with U.S. concerns 'trickling' north: poll
A new poll indicates 51 per cent of Canadians support banning the social media app TikTok, after a U.S. bill aiming to do just that passed in the House of Representatives.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.