Item Valuation
When listing an item on Curba, you need to provide its current value. For most categories this value sets the security deposit, and from November 26, 2026 it's the same kind of value Curba Damage Protection pays out on if your item is damaged, stolen, or lost. Getting it right matters - overvaluing leads to high deposits that discourage renters and won't increase a payout, while undervaluing gives you a smaller deposit.
How to Determine Your Item's Value
The simplest way to value your item: if you were to sell it today on a used marketplace like Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji, what would someone realistically pay for it?
This is the item's current market value - not what you paid for it, and not the cost of a brand new replacement.
Step-by-Step
- Search for your item on used marketplaces - Check Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, or eBay (sold listings) for the same or similar item in comparable condition
- Look at multiple listings - Don't use just one listing as reference. Check 3-5 similar listings to get an average price
- Match the condition - A well-maintained item in excellent condition is worth more than one with visible wear. Be honest about your item's current state
- Factor in age - Items depreciate over time. A 3-year-old power tool is worth less than one purchased last month, even if both work perfectly
- Use the average price - Take the middle ground of what you find. Avoid using the highest or lowest listing as your value
Examples
| Item | Bought For | Age | Condition | Realistic Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS R5 Camera | $5,000 | 2 years | Excellent | $3,200 |
| DeWalt Circular Saw | $250 | 3 years | Good | $120 |
| Kayak (Pelican) | $600 | 1 year | Like new | $450 |
| Party tent (10x20) | $400 | 2 years | Good | $200 |
| Projector (Epson) | $800 | 4 years | Fair | $250 |
What NOT to Use as Your Item Value
- The original purchase price - Items lose value the moment you buy them. A $500 drill you bought 5 years ago is not worth $500 today
- The brand new replacement price - Unless your item is still sealed in the box, the replacement cost is not the right value
- Sentimental value - Your item may mean a lot to you, but the value should reflect what the market would pay
- Insurance replacement value - Insurance values are often inflated to cover the cost of buying brand new. Use the used market price instead
Why Accurate Valuation Matters
For most categories, your item value directly affects the security deposit that renters pay, up to a $300 maximum (on short rentals it's also capped at the rent, though never below the category minimum). For Home, Party, Garden, and Other, the deposit is one day's rental price, up to $100, whatever the item value.
- Higher item value = higher deposit = fewer bookings
- Lower item value = lower deposit = less money held if something goes wrong
The goal is a fair value that protects you without pricing renters out. For example, if your pressure washer is worth $500 but you list it at $1,500, the deposit can go from $100 to $300 and put renters off - and a payout would still be based on its $500 current value.
Item value and Curba Damage Protection
For bookings made from November 26, 2026 (December 12, 2026 in Quebec), if your item is damaged, stolen, or lost, Curba Damage Protection pays based on the item's current value just before it happened - worked out the same way as above, from what the same item sells for used at its age and in its condition. It never pays the purchase price or the cost of a brand new replacement.
- Curba pays the lower of the reasonable repair cost and the item's current value
- Curba never pays more than the item's current value or the limit for its category ($5,000 per item, $10,000 per rental for Film & Photography, $20,000 per item for Trailers and the Vehicle category)
- Listing a higher value doesn't raise a payout - if the claims team finds the item was worth less than its listed value, the lower value is used
See Protection & Deposits for details on how deposits are calculated from your item value and the rent.
Tips for Getting It Right
- Update your value periodically - Items depreciate. If your listing has been active for a year, the value may need adjusting
- Check sold listings, not just active ones - Active listings show asking prices. Sold listings on eBay show what people actually paid
- Keep proof of value - Receipts, photos, and saved comparable listings help the claims team confirm your item's current value quickly
- Be honest - If a dispute arises, an inflated value could work against you during the claims process