Fewer than half of B.C. renters have tenant insurance: poll

Most British Columbia home renters who responded to a recent poll say they do not have tenant coverage, Canadian Direct Insurance Inc. announced Monday.

The Vancouver-based carrier released results of an online survey of homeowners and renters in B.C. Of the renters, only 43% said they have tenant insurance.

More than two-thirds (69%) of respondents “correctly realize they’re not covered by their landlord’s insurance,” while 25% do not know.

The survey was conducted Oct. 3 and 4 of B.C. residents who are either homeowners or renters, and are Angus Reid Forum panel members. The results were “statistically weighted according to age and gender.”

Thirty-eight per cent of tenants who responded, and 33% of homeowners who responded “have not calculated the approximate value of personal property in their home,” Canadian Direct noted.

When both tenants and homeowners were asked about their top concerns, 30% identified fire, 19% identified theft, 17% identified water and 10% identified earthquake.

“Other concerns given by respondents include falling trees, rock slides, wind and pests.”