Introduction

Short-term rental and bed & breakfast operations face a blend of personal property and commercial liability exposures. Summit Commercial Solutions brokers tailored insurance for hosts and operators across Canada (excluding Quebec), aligning coverage to occupancy, amenities, revenue patterns, and municipal bylaws. See related solutions in Hospitality Insurance and Hotel Insurance.

Who this page serves

• B&Bs and inns with up to ~20 rooms

• Owner-occupied or investor-owned short-term rentals (entire home, secondary suite, condo, cottage/cabin)

• Multi‑unit portfolios managed by professional hosts/property managers

• Rural and resort properties with seasonality (subject to underwriting)

Core coverages to consider

• Commercial General Liability (CGL): protects against third‑party bodily injury and property damage claims. Related: Commercial General Liability.

• Commercial Property: building, contents, improvements, and theft/vandalism. Related: Commercial Property Insurance.

• Business Interruption (Rental Income): replaces lost rental income/extra expense after an insured loss. Related: Business Interruption Insurance.

• Cyber: privacy liability, incident response, ransomware, and payment/fraud risks tied to booking systems and smart locks. Related: Cyber Insurance.

• Liquor Liability (as needed): for hosted tastings, welcome drinks, or events on premises.

• Equipment Breakdown: boilers, HVAC, and key systems that keep rooms rentable.

• Crime/Fidelity: theft by guests or employees, funds transfer fraud (subject to terms).

Common endorsements hosts request

• Short‑Term Rental/Commercial Use endorsement (when converting from personal/landlord form)

• Loss of Rents (specified or Actual Loss Sustained) with suitable indemnity period (12–18 months typical)

• Additional Insureds: building owners/strata corporations, venue partners, or municipalities

• Waiver of Subrogation and Primary/Non‑Contributory wording when required by contracts

• Innkeepers’/Guests’ Property sub‑limits for guest belongings (where available)

• Sewer Backup, Overland Water, and Flood (availability varies by location)

• Ordinance or Law/Bylaw coverage for rebuild to current code

Appetite cues (illustrative)

• Entire‑home rentals, secondary suites, duplexes/townhomes, and condominiums

• B&Bs with hosted breakfast and light F&B service; limited special events by endorsement

• Amenities with controls: fireplaces, hot tubs, pools, docks (safety/maintenance required)

• Professional property management and documented house rules/guest screening

Example limit structures

All limits are examples only; actual terms, conditions, and availability vary by risk profile and market.

Provincial availability (no Quebec)

Summit brokers short‑term rental and B&B coverage in: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador. Summit does not offer services in Quebec.

Risk controls that improve insurability

• Life safety: interconnected smoke/CO detection, fire extinguishers, egress checks, and local emergency info

• Water damage mitigation: leak sensors, shut‑off valves, winterization, and maintenance logs

• Guest management: documented house rules, occupancy caps, and incident response plans

• Premises safety: handrails, non‑slip mats, pool/hot‑tub barriers, and equipment maintenance records

• Cyber hygiene: MFA on booking/admin systems, strong passwords, offline backups, and phishing training

Pricing drivers

• Construction, protection, and occupancy (CPO), distance to fire hall/hydrants

• Revenue, average length of stay, and seasonality

• Amenities (e.g., pools, hot tubs, water frontage) and special events

• Claims history and risk management controls

• Municipal/strata bylaws and required contract wording

What to prepare for a fast quote

• Address, construction year/type, square footage, roof/plumbing/electrical details

• Occupancy details (entire unit vs. room‑only), average guests/night, and amenity list

• Prior 3–5 years of revenue and claims history

• Photos or recent inspection reports, fire protection details

• Contractual requirements (platform, landlord/strata, lender)

Claims support

If an incident occurs, contact Summit’s claims team for guidance and carrier notification: see Claim Services. Keep guests safe first, document the scene, and retain invoices/receipts.

Related solutions and learning

• Hospitality hub: Hospitality Insurance

• Adjacent coverages: Commercial Property, General Liability, Business Interruption, Cyber

• Sector pages: Hotel Insurance, Landlord Insurance

FAQs

What is short‑term rental and B&B insurance?

It is a commercialized package of property and liability coverages tailored to transient guest stays, amenities, and revenue exposure. It differs from standard homeowner or landlord policies, which may exclude or limit short‑term guest occupancy. See Hotel Insurance and Landlord Insurance for adjacent use‑cases.

Do I need business interruption coverage if I rely on seasonal bookings?

Yes. Business interruption can replace lost rental income and extra expense after an insured loss. Choose an indemnity period aligned to local rebuild timelines. Learn more: Business Interruption Insurance.

Is Quebec included?

No. Summit currently serves provinces outside Quebec. See the provincial list above.

When do I need liquor liability?

If you serve or host alcohol (e.g., welcome drinks, tastings, small events), dedicated liquor liability may be required by your municipality, landlord, or venue partners.

What limits do platforms or landlords usually require?

Requirements vary, but CAD 2M CGL is a common floor; higher limits or umbrella may be requested for events or high foot‑traffic properties. Align your property and loss‑of‑rents limits to replacement cost and peak‑season income.

What information speeds up underwriting?

Accurate property specs, amenity list, safety controls, occupancy patterns, contracts requiring special wording, and recent photos/inspection reports.

How does cyber insurance apply to a B&B?

It addresses guest data/privacy, social engineering, and ransomware impacting booking/access systems. See Cyber Insurance.

How is this different from hotel insurance?

Scale and services. Smaller B&B/STR risks resemble micro‑hospitality exposures; larger inns/hotels introduce broader operational, staffing, and D&O concerns. See Hotel Insurance.