| Here are the things that can go wrong: | | | | deposit to fix the damage and if it is not enough - |
| 1. Cancellation | | | | claim his/her own insurance. |
| Situation: You booked a cottage in advance, but | | | | It is almost impossible to get the insurance from |
| you cannot go due to some emergency (death in | | | | 3rd party for your damage deposit, however |
| the family, illness, jury duty, your house burned | | | | some rental agencies provide Damage Protection |
| down, etc). | | | | plan, e.g. Rent Cottage. The price of such plan is |
| Solution: First, you need to become familiar with | | | | around $50 and it gives you complete coverage |
| the cancellation policy of your rental. All | | | | (but it does not mean that you can go completely |
| respectable cottage owners or rental agencies | | | | wild). |
| should have Terms and Conditions document that | | | | Here are some tips how to make sure that you |
| you sign/agree during the booking process. This | | | | are not losing your damage deposit: |
| document should clearly outline the cancellation | | | | -Inspect the cottage at the arrival and inform |
| policy. In most cases if you can notify the | | | | cottage owner about all existing damages. |
| cottage owner in advance, there is a chance that | | | | -If you or somebody from your party caused |
| the cottage can be re-booked and you will get | | | | any damage, please inform the cottage owner. |
| refunded. Even if your rental dates are getting | | | | First, you always need to be responsible for your |
| re-booked, rental agencies still charging cancellation | | | | deeds and secondly, you will have a chance to |
| fee that is in $100-$200 range. | | | | negotiate the price of your damage rather than |
| Second, you can purchase cancellation insurance. | | | | losing complete deposit; |
| There are multiple brokers that provide such kind | | | | - Upon departure, arrange second inspection with |
| of insurance for cottage rentals. There are | | | | cottage owner or his/her trusted person to make |
| companies that will insure your trip, but you would | | | | sure that there are no new damages. Ask to put |
| need two documents if you want to claim your | | | | the results of the inspection in writing and keep |
| insurance - proof of payment and proof of | | | | this document until your damage deposit if fully |
| accident (death certificate, doctor's note, pink slip, | | | | refunded. |
| etc). Please note that they will note reimburse | | | | Unfortunately, if the cottage owner does not |
| your money if you "just changed your mind". | | | | want to return your damage deposit and you feel |
| The cost of cancellation insurance is very | | | | that it is not fair, there is nothing much you can |
| reasonable - usually less than 5% of your trip | | | | do except going to the Small Claims Court and/or |
| cost. For example, I was charged only $75 for | | | | sharing your experience on the internet by writing |
| my $2,000 1-week vacation at the private | | | | reviews. |
| cottage. | | | | 3. Medical Emergency |
| 2. Damage | | | | If you live in Canada and renting cottage in |
| Situation: Something was broken or damaged | | | | Canada, you don't need to worry about your |
| during your stay at the cottage. It can be | | | | Medical Insurance, since all Canadians are covered |
| furniture, doors, windows, toilet, roof, etc. | | | | by the government. All you need to do is not to |
| Solution: Terms and Conditions document should | | | | forget your Health Card. |
| outline your responsibilities in case of damage. | | | | If you are travelling from abroad, I strongly |
| Most cottage owners should have their own | | | | recommend you to purchase the medical |
| cottage insurance that covers damages caused | | | | insurance from travel insurance company (the |
| by renters. Be aware that some cottage owners | | | | companies outlined above also provide medical |
| are not disclosing the fact that the cottage gets | | | | insurance). |
| rented by the outsiders to their insurance | | | | Before arriving to the cottage, you need to find |
| company in order to save money on insurance | | | | out where is the location of the closest hospital. In |
| premiums. In these cases the damage caused by | | | | case of real emergency, call 911 (preferably from |
| renters is not covered. | | | | the local phone). |
| Cottage insurance has a deductible that usually | | | | Most likely your vacation will go without any |
| equals to your damage deposit. So, if something | | | | accidents, but don't leave everything to chance. |
| will go wrong, cottage owner can use your | | | | |