Simple and easy-to-add home-share insurance provides rental hosts with peace of mind
Aviva Canada offers innovative solutions for home-sharing
February 1, 2017 (Toronto, ON) – – With the rise of the sharing economy and peer-to-peer online services, especially those that help consumers rent their homes and cottages, Aviva Canada is pleased to offer insurance coverage for home-sharing across Canada starting February 1, 2017.
Home-share, a short-term accommodations marketplace that connects hosts with guests through an online platform or website continues to increase in popularity. Rental networks such as Airbnb, Corporate Housing by Owner (CHBO), Flipkey, HomeAway, Roomorama, VRBO and Wimdu already cite millions of listings worldwide. To ensure consumers are protected, Aviva Canada is offering hosts two home-share coverage options that can be tailored to meet their rental needs:
- a simple add-on to an existing Aviva Canada homeowner policy, or
- stand-alone coverage for a secondary income property rented to short-term guests year-round (eg cottage, house/condo).
“More and more Canadians are looking to supplement their income by temporarily renting their property through online networks,” said Steve Cohen, Executive Director, Personal Lines, Aviva Canada. “Our research shows that one in five Canadians have rented their property in the past, or would consider doing so in the future*. As our customers’ needs evolve, Aviva Canada is committed to developing innovative solutions that address coverage gaps and to educating consumers on coverage solutions that best suit their needs.”
In a 2016 consumer survey, 51% who are currently or considering renting their property are unaware that their existing homeowner policy does not cover home-sharing, revealing a significant insurance gap for Canadians*. This means in the event of loss or damages, the homeowner’s claim may be denied or worse, their home policy voided by their insurer.
Although some home-share networks provide certain guaranteed protection as an automatic feature, it should not be considered a replacement for home insurance. Examples of what Aviva Canada’s solution covers and are not provided by home-share networks includes: liability when the property is deemed uninhabitable (eg electricity, fire); loss or damage to buildings; loss or damage to personal possessions caused by the guest; and loss or damage to guest’s possessions while they are renting the property (eg electronics).
This simple and comprehensive home-sharing coverage means customers have 24/7 access to claims support from Aviva Canada and are not required to secure liability coverage from their home-share rental network or rental guests first.
The home-sharing coverage will be available to new and existing Aviva Canada customers with eligible primary and income properties. The coverage is independent of any home-sharing networks and providers.
*In September 2016, Aviva Canada commissioned a targeted survey of over 2,000 Canadians, ages 25+, who are currently home insurance consumers or planning to purchase home insurance over the next five years.
About Aviva Canada
Aviva Canada is one of the leading property and casualty insurance groups in the country, providing home, automobile, leisure/lifestyle and business insurance to more than three million customers. A wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based Aviva plc, the company has more than 4,000 employees focused on creating a bright and sustainable future for our customers and our communities.
Aviva Canada invests in positive change through the Aviva Community Fund, Canada’s longest running online community funding competition. Since its inception in 2009, the Aviva Community Fund has awarded $7.5 million to over 250 charities and community groups nationwide. Aviva Canada, bringing over 300 years of good thinking and insurance solutions to Canadians from coast to coast.
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Media Contact:
Priscilla Wong
PR Specialist, Aviva Canada
Desk: 416-288-6780, Cell: 647-208-7523
priscilla.y.wong@aviva.com