In the summer of 2001, the Canadian government legalized cannabis products for medical consumption, then in fall 2018, cannabis was legalized for personal use. The legalization of cannabis and its products has reduced the social stigma and it has become more commonplace for Canadians.
With 25% Canadians having used a cannabis product in previous 12 months and approximately 10% of Canadians who consume cannabis growing their own product, there are some important questions about how this will impact your property insurance. Today, we hope to answer some of the questions about what growing cannabis at home means for your insurance.
Why does the insurance company ask how many cannabis plants I have?
They are checking to see if you have more than 4 cannabis plants.
On most property insurance policies, the agent will ask how many cannabis plants you have. They need to make sure you are only growing for personal consumption and not as a commercial producer. In Canada, the household maximum number of cannabis plants is 4, any more than 4 plants is considered a grow op. You can still get insurance for a grow op, but that falls under the purview of commercial insurance and requires the appropriate licensing.
Can I insure my cannabis plants on a (personal) property insurance policy?
Yes you can.
As a part of a broad or comprehensive home/tenant insurance policy, you can get coverage for cannabis plants. Not all companies have coverage for cannabis plants included in property insurance policies, ask your broker if you have the right coverage for your needs. Depending on your provider, you may have $500+ in coverage for your plants and consumable cannabis products.
Does having Cannabis plants increase my property insurance costs?
No it does not.
Provided you have four or fewer cannabis plants growing on your property, your premiums will not be impacted. Four or fewer plants is not seen as having additional risk factors.
Can growing cannabis plants make it more difficult to get property insurance?
No, it is not more difficult.
Again, provided you have four or fewer cannabis plants, you are not considered a higher risk group for property insurance. Having these plants will not make it more difficult to get property insurance.
What if I grow cannabis plants and tell the insurance company I don't have any?
Generally speaking, lying to your insurance company is not a great idea. Lying on an application can result in future claims being denied. Given that informing the insurance company doesn't increase your premiums or make it more difficult to insure your property, you should tell the insurance company the truth about your cannabis plants.
Conclusion
You can insure your cannabis plants on a personal property insurance policy, but it is important to be transparent with your insurance provider about the number of plants you are growing. With the maximum number of plants allowed for personal consumption being four, having more than this will create issues. It is always best to be honest with your insurance provider to avoid any issues with potential future claims. As always, it is advisable to check with your broker or provider to ensure you have the right coverage for your needs.
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