Question for hosts in Ontario Canada - Aviva STR Insurance

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Hello all - just getting all my ducks in a row for setting up my STR in Ontario, Canada. I will be setting up a basement self contained apartment, 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, full kitchen with dining table and sitting room - about 900 sq ft.

I’m looking into STR insurance and was hoping I can get any hosts to share their experiences with Aviva short term insurance in Ontario. Their information on their website is limited and I will call my broker, but hoping to get ideas about what questions I should ask and what is the cost (just in general). Are there specific coverages that you would recommend?

My home insurance is with Aviva and is $3100 and hoping if bundling will give a discount for the STR.

If you don’t have Aviva in Ontario- what are you using for insurance? I’ve seen some insurance you buy per guest stay but not sure if my Aviva insurance will accept it and not impact my standard home insurance policy. Or if these pay per stay are even any good.

I estimate I will have 12 to 20 guest bookings a year based on 3 night minimum and open 5 months out of the year.

I really appreciate all comments and the time you take to share your experiences.

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I can see no one has commented so probably not a lot of hosts in Ontario Canada on this site or use Aviva Insurance.

I will share the information I just received after speaking with my broker for almost an hour.

Aviva offers STR at very reasonable cost ($300/year as rider to my home insurance based on my set up with $2M coverage).

Aviva wants you to be tied to commercial marketing company like Airbnb or VRBO for this coverage. My broker said it’s because these companies also provide coverage. Not sure if that means the insurance companies can battle each other for payouts.

The cost is low because we live on site, if we lived off site it would be a different plan and more expensive. I was expecting a much higher cost and I’m pleasantly surprised. Just another “to do” struck off my set up list.

Hope this info helps other hosts in Ontario Canada starting out.

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