Ontario STR insurance

The $2M policy your municipality is asking for.

Most Ontario STR bylaws require $2,000,000 commercial general liability insurance covering short-term rental activity — your regular home or cottage policy almost certainly does not. These are the specialist brokers Ontario hosts actually use.

WelcomeMAT is not affiliated with any broker below and does not earn a commission. Always confirm coverage, exclusions, and that the Certificate of Insurance meets your municipality's wording before relying on a policy.

Duuo by Co-operators

Pay-per-night short-term rental coverage built specifically for Airbnb and Vrbo hosts. Activates only on booked nights.

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$2M commercial general liability
Per-night activation (no annual policy needed)
Backed by The Co-operators

Best for · Occasional hosts (under ~60 booked nights/year).

Square One Insurance

Custom home insurance with a short-term rental add-on. Online quote in minutes, monthly billing, Ontario-licensed.

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Up to $5M liability
Building, contents, and lost rental income
Includes Airbnb / Vrbo / direct bookings

Best for · Hosts who want a single combined home + STR policy.

Apollo Insurance

Instant digital STR policies with optional per-stay or annual coverage. Issues a Certificate of Insurance most municipalities accept.

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$2M / $5M liability options
Certificate of Insurance on demand
Annual or per-stay options

Best for · Hosts who need a municipally-accepted COI fast (e.g. licensing deadlines).

BFL Canada — Vacation Rental Program

Brokerage with a dedicated vacation rental program. Useful for multi-property portfolios and properties with pools, docks, ATVs or watercraft.

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Multi-property portfolios
Adds liability for pools, docks, watercraft
Higher limits available on request

Best for · Cottage operators and portfolio hosts with elevated risk exposure.

Front Row Insurance

Independent Canadian broker that places STR risk with several carriers. Useful when other insurers decline a cottage or waterfront property.

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Specialty markets for declined risks
Waterfront and cottage-country specific
Custom annual policies

Best for · Properties that have been declined elsewhere or sit on water.

What to ask the broker

· Is short-term rental (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com) explicitly covered?
· Will the Certificate of Insurance name my municipality if required?
· What's the per-occurrence and aggregate liability limit?
· Are pools, docks, watercraft, hot tubs, fire pits, and ATVs included?
· Is lost rental income covered if the property becomes unusable?

Once you have a policy, upload the Certificate of Insurance to your property so WelcomeMAT can remind you before it expires.

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