What is renters insurance?

Renter’s insurance policies are a collection of coverages that help renters who live in an apartment or house. The typical renters’ policy covers three types of coverage. These protect you, your belongings, and your living arrangements in case of a covered loss. Learn more about each type of coverage.

What is renters insurance?

Renters’ insurance is available to cover unforeseen circumstances. Renters insurance, also known as tenant insurance, covers unexpected events. These are called covered perils. This table lists the coverages of renters’ insurance policies and their typical coverage.

Personal property

The majority of renters insurance covers you for items like clothing, smartphones, and personal belongings that are lost due to 16 events:

• Lightning or fire.
• Windstorm or hail.
• Explosion.
• Civil commotion or riot.
• Damage to aircraft.
• Vehicle damage.
• Smoke.
• Malicious mischief or vandalism.
• Theft.
• Volcanic eruption.
• A falling object.
• The weight in ice, snow, or sleet.
• Unintentional release of steam or water from certain household appliances or systems.
• Unintentional or accidental tearing down, cracking, burning, or bulging of a household system.
• Freezing specific household systems and devices.
• Unexpected, accidental damage caused by artificially generated electric currents.

Personal belongings are covered in your home and out and about. Your renters’ insurance policy will cover your bike if stolen from a shop. However, there are a few caveats. Your deductible will be applied. Your deductible will apply.

Additional living expenses or loss of use

Renters insurance covers you if you cannot live in your home due to a covered disaster. You can get reimbursed for expenses such as hotel bills and restaurant meals.

Example: You will need to leave your apartment for two weeks after the fire in your living area has been put out. Your insurance company may be able to pay for your stay at the motel. You may also be able to get reimbursement from your insurance company for the difference in cost between cooking at home and dining out every night while staying at the motel span>

Liability Insurance

A lawsuit against you could ruin your finances for many years if someone is hurt in your rental. These events are covered by your renters’ insurance policy’s liability section. It pays out for bodily injuries to others on your property. One exception: Your auto policy would cover the costs if you injure another person in a car accident. )

Renters’ liability insurance also covers accidental damage to other people’s belongings.

Renters’ policies may cover you if your dog bites another person. Some insurers do not cover dog bites and specific breeds. Check with your agent if you have a dog to ensure they are covered.

Renters’ insurance usually covers legal representation in a case and any money awarded.

Medical payments

This coverage is similar to liability insurance. It pays out if someone gets hurt on your property. What is the difference? The medical payments coverage pays no matter who is at fault for the injury. Liability insurance will only be activated if you are found guilty. The limits for liability coverage tend to be much higher.

Example: A friend visiting your son trips on his toy truck, landing on her wrist. It’s a minor injury, but her medical payments coverage may be able to reimburse her for an X-ray or urgent care appointment.

Optional renters’ insurance coverage

You can add additional coverage to your policy and the basic coverage. These are some of the most popular.

Replacement cost coverage

Standard renters’ policies pay to replace your belongings based on their “actual cash values.” If your sofa is less than ten years old, your claim check would only cover buying a new sofa. You would have to pay the difference to get a new couch.

Replacement cost coverage will cover replacing lost items with newer models.

Scheduled personal property

In the event of theft, renters’ policies often limit the amount they will pay for expensive items like jewelry, firearms, and electronics. Adding a Scheduled Personal Property endorsement can get coverage for items worth more than the limit.

Imagine that you inherit a diamond ring from your grandmother. Your insurance company will likely ask you to have the ring professionally appraised. Then, add the coverage span for the call to your policy.

Water backup coverage

Suppose your sink, toilet, or other drain backs up, and water gushes into your apartment. In that case, you may be eligible for coverage.

Pet damage liability

If your furry friend is destructive, check if your insurance has a pet damage endorsement. This endorsement can cover cleanup and repair costs, so you don’t lose your security deposit.

What renters insurance does not cover

Renters’ insurance is not an exception to the rule. Every insurance policy contains exclusions. Here are some things that renters insurance won’t cover.

Flood damage

Most renters’ insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance will not cover your home if it is damaged by flooding. You’ll need to pay for the repairs or buy separate flood insurance. USAA is the exception and includes flood coverage as part of its renters’ policies. USAA renters insurance can only be purchased by active military personnel, veterans, and families. )

Earthquake damage

The majority of renters’ insurance policies will only cover earthquakes. USAA is an exception. You can purchase earthquake insurance separately or as an addition to your renters’ policy.

Infestations

Most renters’ insurance doesn’t cover bedbugs, mice, or other infestations.

You may still be eligible for bedbug coverage with an Assurant Renters policy. This depends on where you live.

Jetty is another option. It offers insurance at only participating properties and includes $300 worth of bedbug coverage in its basic policies. A premium or renter plan also offers bedbug remediation coverage if you reside in a participating rental community.

Your roommate’s belongings

Renters’ insurance will only cover your roommate’s stuff if you have a shared policy. Not all states and insurance companies allow this. It is best for each of you to have your own renters insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can renters’ insurance cover theft?

Renters’ insurance usually covers theft of personal belongings, even if you aren’t at home. For example, it would usually be covered if someone steals your phone on the subway. Remember that your deductible will be deducted from your payout, so you might not need to file a claim if your item isn’t valuable.

Does renters insurance cover water damage?

It depends. You should be covered if the water damage was caused by a peril listed in your policy. Damage from a burst pipe usually gets covered. However, flood damage is not typically covered unless flood insurance spans>

Can renters insurance protect a storage unit?

Generally, yes. You may have different coverage for off-site items (typically 10% of your policy span>). You will generally be covered if your belongings are stored outside your home.

Does renters’ insurance cover mold?

It all depends on what caused the mold. Renters’ insurance covers damage caused by sudden, severe events such as a burst pipe causing flooding in your bathroom. This can leave mold behind. This kind of event is likely to be covered. It could be covered if the mold slowly grows because you still need to clean your basement.

Does renters insurance cover broken windows?

It depends. Imagine your bedroom window smashed by a fallen tree branch during a storm. Falling objects are covered events. This would mean that your property policy would cover the damage. However, the damage will not be covered if your dog accidentally breaks your window while playing fetch.

You may also find liability coverage that can help you if you break another person’s window.

Can renters’ insurance cover car theft?

You must file a claim under your comprehensive auto policy if your car is stolen. This does not apply to your renter’s policy. Your renter’s policy would cover personal items, like a laptop or a suitcase full of clothes.

Does renters insurance cover dog bites?

The liability section of your renters’ insurance generally covers medical expenses and legal costs for your dog biting someone else. There are exceptions. Certain breeds and animals with a history of aggression may be excluded from coverage by some companies.

Does renters insurance cover pet damage?

It all depends on the extent of the damage and your coverage. Your liability insurance would cover property damage caused by your dog. However, Fluffy’s claw marks on the kitchen counters of your home would not be covered by your liability insurance if you have pet damage coverage.