Renters insurance: Aquariums

Waking up to find your floor covered in pools of water, big shards of glass and sad-looking bits of coral and seaweed – not to mention fish – isn't any renter's idea of a good morning.

When a home aquarium or fish tank is damaged due to an accident or another unexpected event, it can be upsetting. It can also be expensive, given the costs of repairing or replacing the tank, and the fact that a damaged aquarium can also cause damage.

So, as a renter, what can your insurance do to help in a scenario like this? Is the tank itself covered? What about its occupants? Would the financial responsibility for damage that the aquarium caused be yours or your landlord's?

Let's find out.

What type of insurance do I need as a renter?

The short answer? Contents insurance.

Renters insurance and contents insurance is pretty much the same thing. The reason you probably want contents insurance is that, as a renter, insuring the building itself is the landlord's (or strata's) responsibility, not yours.

But while the landlord's insurance should cover, say, a leaking tap, it won't cover your leaking aquarium and any damage it causes to your belongings.

Compare renters insurance for your aquarium

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Finder Score	Escape of Liquid	Accidental Damage to Home or Belongings	Home Contents Cover	Online Discount
Promoted Finder score 9 Excellent Youi Building and Contents Insurance Most Loved	Finder score 9 Excellent		Optional	Yes	No	Our verdict: With a a range of customisation options, Youi Building and Contents Insurance is a great pick for homeowners after a policy that allows them tailor their coverage.	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
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Promoted Finder score 9.1 Excellent Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance Most Loved	Finder score 9.1 Excellent		Optional	Yes	Yes	Our verdict: The most popular insurer on Finder, Budget Direct prioritises low-cost cover.	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9 Excellent Westpac Home and Contents Insurance	Finder score 9 Excellent		Optional	Yes	Yes	Our verdict: Provided by Allianz, one of the biggest insurers in Australia. Cover for fire, theft, storm, cyclones and more.	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9 Excellent ING Home and Contents Insurance	Finder score 9 Excellent		Optional	Yes	Yes	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9 Excellent Qantas Home and Contents Insurance	Finder score 9 Excellent		Optional	Yes	Yes	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 8.7 Great Honey Home & Contents Insurance	Finder score 8.7 Great		Optional	Yes	No	Our verdict: This policy is ideal for customers looking for reasonably priced coverage across a range of categories.	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 7.7 Great Huddle Basic Home and Contents Insurance	Finder score 7.7 Great			Yes	Yes	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading

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What's covered by renters insurance?

With the right policy, your aquarium can be covered against a range of insured events, including:

• Storm damage
• Fire damage
• Impact damage (e.g. from a falling tree or branch)
• Theft
• Water damage
• Accidental damage (usually as an optional add-on)

Many contents policies will also cover your legal liability if someone gets injured at your rental (e.g. by broken glass from a fish tank).

Why should I get renters insurance for my aquarium?

As well as being expensive to repair and replace, home aquariums can be accident-prone.

And they're not just damageable – they're also capable of causing damage to your other belongings.

That's why insurers tend to group them with other potentially troublesome "water containers", such as hot water systems, water supply tanks and (interestingly) waterbeds.

Renters insurance with accidental damage cover can protect your aquarium and other contents in case the unexpected happens. Add in your landlord's insurance to protect the building itself, and your aquarium-related cover starts to look pretty comprehensive.

Does rents insurance cover aquarium leaks?

Yes – with a few important caveats.

Different insurers have different approaches to aquarium leaks, so it's crucial to do your research first. Some policies will cover fish tanks but not fish bowls. Some will only cover aquariums containing a defined volume of water. Some will cover accidental glass breakage, while others won't.

What led to the leak will also be a key factor. Was it something sudden and unforeseeable, or could you have seen it coming (e.g. a slowly expanding crack)?

Importantly, most insurers distinguish between:

• Damage caused by "escape of liquid" or water damage from an aquarium, which standard policies generally do cover.
• Damage to the aquarium itself, which many standard policies don't cover.

Your landlord's insurance should cover any damage to carpets, flooring or other parts of the building that your aquarium damages. But as an aquarium-owning renter, it's recommended that you look into adding accidental damage insurance, which can strengthen your cover for the tank itself.

Should I get accidental damage cover?

Yes. Most standard policies will cover any damage a leaking aquarium causes to your home and/or contents but not the costs of repairing or replacing the aquarium itself.

If you add accidental damage insurance to your policy, your aquarium could be covered for the costs of accidental glass breakage, as well as mishaps like dropping the aquarium while you're unloading, installing or moving it.

Be sure to research what different insurers define as accidental damage, specifically in relation to aquariums and water containers.

Which brands offer cover for accidental damage?

Brand	Do they offer accidental damage?
	Optional
	Optional
	Optional
	Optional

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does an aquarium need to be covered?

  Yes, if you have an aquarium, it is advisable to ensure it is covered under your contents insurance policy. Aquariums can cause significant water damage if they leak or break, and this type of damage may not be automatically covered. Check with your insurer to ensure both the aquarium and potential water damage are included in your policy.

Written by

Jessica Prasida

Travel Insurance Expert

Jessica Prasida brings a decade of experience in the travel industry, including over four years as a travel agent and branch manager at STA Travel. She holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Marketing from the University of Technology, Sydney, as well as a Tier 1 General Insurance qualification that complies with ASIC guidelines. An avid traveller herself, Jessica combines her professional expertise with a passion for ensuring safe and enjoyable journeys for all travellers. Jessica was a Travel Insurance Publisher at Finder from 2019 to 2024. See full bio