What is a renters insurance addendum?
Many tenants assume the landlord's insurance covers their belongings. It doesn't — and it doesn't cover the tenant's liability for a flood or fire they cause either. A renters insurance addendum explains this and sets the landlord's expectations in writing.
This addendum lets you make tenant insurance required or just strongly recommended. It describes what the policy should cover, an optional minimum liability amount, proof of insurance and renewals, listing the landlord as an interested party, what happens if a required policy lapses, and confirms that insurance doesn't change who is legally responsible for a loss. Some places restrict requiring tenant insurance, so the Help text asks you to check.
- Best for
- Adding a tenant insurance clause to a residential lease
- Signed by
- Landlord and tenant, initialled on every page
- Options
- Required or recommended; optional liability minimum; interested-party listing
- Length
- 2 pages
When to use a renters insurance addendum
- Requiring liability cover in an apartment building
- Explaining insurance to first-time renters
- Getting proof of cover before keys are handed over
- Adding an insurance clause at lease renewal
- Reducing disputes after a leak damages a neighbour's unit
What you fill in
11 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: landlord, tenant.
1 The lease
- Date of this addendum*
- Landlord or managing agent*
- Tenant name(s)*
- Address of the rented property*
- Date of the lease*
2 The insurance
- Required or recommended?* required · strongly recommended but not required
- Currency*
- Minimum personal liability cover
- Days to give proof of insurance*
- Name the landlord as interested party?* The Tenant will ask the insurer to list the Landlord as an interested party or additional interest, so that the Landlord is told if the policy is cancelled or lapses. · The Tenant is not required to list the Landlord on the policy.
- Governing law*
3 Who signs
- Landlord signature and date, initials on every page · The landlord or the managing agent who signs leases for the landlord.
- Tenant signature and date, initials on every page · The tenant. If several tenants are on the lease, send a copy to each one.
What the renters insurance addendum covers
- What the Landlord's insurance covers
- Tenant's insurance
- Proof and notice
- If the Tenant has no insurance
- Responsibility for loss
- General
Using the renters insurance addendum, step by step
1 Link it to the lease
Enter the landlord, tenant, property and lease date.
2 Choose required or recommended
Decide whether insurance is a requirement and set any minimum liability amount.
3 Set proof rules
Enter how many days the tenant has to give proof and whether the landlord should be listed as an interested party.
4 Send for signature
Add the governing law and send it with the lease or on its own.
Tips before you send it
- Check local law — some places restrict requiring renters insurance or charging for landlord-arranged policies.
- Ask for proof at move-in and each renewal, and keep it with the lease.
- Being listed as an interested party means the landlord hears if the policy lapses.
- FileIt can track the policy's expiry date in your vault so renewals aren't missed.
Sign it online in minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. FileIt builds the PDF with every signature, date and initials box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in your vault and emailed to everyone.
Renters insurance addendum: frequently asked questions
Doesn't the landlord's insurance cover the tenant?
No. It covers the landlord's building and property. The tenant's belongings, extra living costs and liability to others need the tenant's own policy.
What if the tenant doesn't get insurance?
Where it's required, the landlord gives written notice and the tenant has 14 days to put cover in place; failing that is a breach of the lease. The landlord won't buy a policy and charge for it unless the lease and the law allow.
Does insurance change who pays for damage?
No. Legal responsibility stays the same — the tenant for damage they cause, the landlord for loss caused by their own negligence or failure to repair.
Is an e-signed lease addendum valid?
Electronic signatures are generally accepted for ordinary agreements like a lease addendum in the US (ESIGN Act and UETA), the UK, the EU (eIDAS) and Canada, though local rules can add requirements. FileIt keeps an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion with the signed PDF.