Choosing the right coverage limits
When you get a tenant insurance quote with APOLLO, you choose your own coverage limits for three main areas: contents, personal liability, and additional living expenses (ALE). Getting these right matters — too low and you may not be fully covered after a claim; too high and you're paying more than you need to.
Here's practical guidance for each, including what most APOLLO customers actually choose.
Contents coverage — how much do your belongings cost to replace?
Contents coverage pays to replace your personal belongings if they're damaged, destroyed, or stolen. Think: furniture, electronics, clothing, kitchenware, sports equipment, jewellery, and everything else you own.
The best way to set this limit is to do a quick home inventory — walk through each room and estimate the replacement cost (not the current resale value) of everything in it. Most people are surprised how quickly it adds up.
As a starting point:
A furnished bachelor or one-bedroom apartment often totals $15,000–$30,000 in replacement value
A fully furnished two-bedroom is commonly $30,000–$60,000
High-value items like jewellery, bikes, and electronics have sub-limits within your policy — if you own expensive items in these categories, you may need to increase those specific limits separately
What APOLLO customers choose: 69% of policyholders select between $5,000–$9,999 in contents coverage. This works for people with modest belongings, but may be too low if you have newer appliances, high-end electronics, or a full apartment of furniture. When in doubt, go higher — the cost difference is usually small.
Personal liability coverage — how much protection do you need?
Liability coverage protects you if someone is injured in your home or if you accidentally cause damage to the building or a neighbouring unit. Legal costs, medical fees, and settlement payouts can reach into the hundreds of thousands in serious cases.
Additional Living Expenses (ALE) — what if you can't live at home?
ALE coverage pays for the extra costs of living somewhere else if your home becomes uninhabitable after a covered event — hotel stays, meals out, extra commuting costs, storage, and pet boarding. It only covers costs above your normal spending, not your total living expenses.
Should I add Enhanced Water Coverage?
A basic APOLLO policy covers water damage from sudden, internal causes — burst pipes, appliance malfunction, toilet overflow. It does not cover sewer backup or overland flooding (rain, snowmelt, river overflow) unless you add Enhanced Water Coverage.
If you live near a body of water, in a basement unit, or in a building with older plumbing, Enhanced Water Coverage is strongly recommended. It's one of the most commonly claimed add-ons.
Choosing your deductible
Your deductible is the amount subtracted from any successful claim payout. A higher deductible lowers your monthly premium but means more out-of-pocket cost if you claim. A lower deductible means more of the payout comes to you, but your premiums will be slightly higher.
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