Protect your home and your belongings with renters insurance.

Introduction

Protect your home and your belongings with renters insurance. Renters insurance can provide you with valuable coverage when you rent out your home or are in between places to live. It may also provide legal protection should something occur while you're away from your home.

Protect your home and your belongings with renters insurance. Protect yourself from major disasters, like if a lightning strike destroys your house. Or even destroy your belongings and appliances, if you live in a high-risk area. Renters insurance can cover that too!

What is renters insurance?

Renters insurance is a type of coverage that protects your personal belongings in the event of an unexpected loss. If you rent a home and want to protect your valuables, renters insurance can make sure they're covered in case of theft, fire or other loss.

A homeowners policy covers damage to the house itself and its contents. A renters policy covers damage to your personal belongings in your home.

Renters insurance is a form of property insurance that guarantees payment for loss or damage caused by any covered peril. It's typically required when renting an apartment or condominium. If you own your home, however, there's no need for renters insurance: Your homeowner's policy does that job already!

Why should I get renters insurance?

Renters insurance is an essential part of any renter's protection strategy. When you rent a home or apartment, it's important to protect yourself and your belongings from the risk of burglary, fire, theft and other loss.

While most homeowners' policies cover damage caused by fire or other types of accidental causes, renters insurance only covers your possessions if they are stolen or damaged due to a covered cause. Renters insurance can also help protect against unexpected emergencies like earthquakes and floods that could damage your home.

Depending on your personal circumstances, you may want more coverage than what's required by most homeowner's policies. For example, if you have a lot of valuables at home or a large family that needs to be protected in an emergency situation, you may want to get renters insurance with additional coverage options such as medical payments and additional living expenses (ALES).

How much does renters insurance cost?

Renters insurance premiums vary by state, so it’s important to shop around before purchasing any policy. Some companies offer discounts based on factors like where you live or the type of coverage you want. Some insurers even offer free quotes online or through their mobile app, which can save you time and money when shopping for coverage.

Renters insurance is often priced as a monthly premium and can vary depending on your specific needs. Some companies offer optional “coverage add-ons” that may cost extra, such as liability protection or coverage for additional belongings.

The cost of renters insurance will depend on your home, the type of policy you choose, and any additional coverage you want to purchase. The average annual cost of renters insurance is $1,300 to $1,800 per year.

What does renters insurance cover?

Renters insurance is a type of insurance that covers you for your personal property when you rent a home or apartment. It's often included in the lease or rental contract, but it can also be purchased as an add-on to your policy. Renters insurance protects your belongings from damage, theft and loss. If a covered event happens, renters insurance will help replace or repair the damaged property.

What does renters insurance cover?

Renters insurance covers your personal belongings when they're inside your rented home or apartment building. This includes:

Coverage for personal property that's inside the rented unit — such as furniture, electronics and clothing

Covered items outside the rented unit — such as bikes, motorized vehicles and tools

Personal liability coverage (if you're renting)

Renters insurance coverage is like car insurance, but for less obvious items. It protects you if your home and belongings are damaged or destroyed due to fire, theft and other perils.

When do I need renters insurance?

If you're not sure whether your rental qualifies for coverage, check with your landlord or property manager first. If they say yes, then ask yourself these questions:

Do I own the house I'm renting? Do I have a mortgage on the property? If so, your landlord's insurer will most likely offer coverage for tenant's (your) claims.

Do I live in the unit with my family? Your landlord's insurer probably won't cover tenant's claims if their tenants aren't related to them.

Do we both live in one unit? If so, you'll need to get renters insurance from both parties' insurers to make sure you're covered for all claims related to that one rental unit.

Do we split our time between multiple rentals/homes? If so, each of your riders will also need to provide coverage for any claims related to that one rental unit. You can choose which company provides coverage when setting up your policy