As taxes and other expenses for cottages continue to increase, many cottage owners are looking for creative ways to soften these costs.
This has motivated some cottage owners to rent out the cottage on a weekly basis during peak season when the cottage is not in use. However, it is vital that your insurance provider is aware of your decision to rent out your cottage beforehand. Failing to notify your insurer may cause a material change in risk resulting in a claim being denied.
Many insurance companies will permit your cottage to be rented up to 180 days a year with an additional charge for the increased liability exposure. If more than 180 days a year is required or your present insurance company cannot accommodate this liability, your advisor may need to change your policy to a commercial policy. In these circumstances, it will be important to review with your broker what coverage changes are required.
Another important consideration will be any additional services you may be providing. Do you have a boat that will be used with the cottage rental? Your insurance company may accept the risk with a boat of lower horsepower and a reasonable maximum speed. However, they may not accept the risk with a higher horsepower capable of higher speeds, as this increases liability exposure.
Our Advisors are happy to discuss all your concerns and provide you with options to allow you to rent out your cottage without jeopardizing your insurance protection.