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Renters insurance covers many of the most common risks that renters can face. In the event of a covered loss, your renters insurance policy will provide compensation for you and your personal property.

Written by Elizabeth Rivelli

Edited by Alyssa DiCrasto

Last updated: June 27, 2023

What is renters insurance?

Renters insurance is a type of property and casualty insurance that covers renters and their personal property. If you experience a covered loss, your renters insurance policy will provide compensation, based on the terms of your insurance contract. Renters insurance isn’t legally required, but some landlords require tenants to carry insurance. 

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What are the types of renters insurance?

Renters insurance provides coverage for many of the most common risks that renters can face. Here are the coverages included with most basic renters insurance policies:

 

Personal property

All renters insurance policies cover your personal belongings against specific losses, like theft and natural disasters. Pretty much everything you own is covered, including furniture, clothing, small appliances, home decor, and electronics. Valuable items, like jewelry and collectibles, are usually covered at a much lower policy limit.

Renters insurance will cover your items inside your apartment and anywhere in the world, including in your vehicle. 

Liability

Personal liability insurance covers your legal and financial responsibilities in the event of a third-party bodily injury or property damage claim. It pays for a settlement with the other person, as well as your legal fees and court costs. So, for example, if your dog bit the mail carrier and they sued you for their medical bills, the liability portion of your renters insurance policy would likely cover the costs. 

Medical payments

Medical payments insurance provides coverage for a guest’s medical bills if they get injured in your apartment. This coverage applies even if you weren’t responsible for the accident. However, medical payments insurance typically provides a small amount of coverage, and most policies don’t provide enough coverage to replace a health insurance policy, for instance. Also, medical payments insurance doesn’t cover your own injuries if you get hurt at home. 

Loss of use

Loss of use insurance pays for temporary living expenses if your apartment gets damaged in a covered loss, and you have to relocate while repairs are made. This policy typically covers things like a hotel, restaurant meals, parking, and laundry. Most policies have a monetary limit for loss of use benefits, so you may still need to be mindful of your spending. 

What is not covered in a renters insurance policy?

Basic renters insurance policies provide robust coverage. However, there are various losses that aren’t covered. Here are some of the things that renters insurance usually doesn’t cover:

  • The physical structure of the building
  • Common areas, like an elevator or lobby
  • Maintenance
  • General wear and tear
  • Infestations
  • Damage from flooding
  • Damage from earthquakes
  • Damage from pets
  • Intentional damage
  • A roommates’ belongings or liabilities
Renters Insurance Finley

For more protection, many renters insurance companies sell endorsements, which fill gaps in your policy. For example, if you live in a flood-prone area, you might add flood insurance or water backup coverage. If you live in an area that experiences earthquakes, getting earthquake insurance can also be valuable. 

Find the right renters insurance for you

Do I need renters insurance?

Legally speaking, you probably aren’t required to have renters insurance. However, some landlords require tenants to have renters insurance as part of their lease agreement.

Even if renters insurance isn’t required, it’s still a good thing to have. Your landlord’s insurance policy won’t cover your personal belongings, even if the building gets destroyed. And if you find yourself caught up in a liability claim, you would have to pay out-of-pocket for your legal bills if you didn’t have renters insurance. 

Not only does renters insurance provide peace of mind and financial protection, but it’s very affordable. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of renters insurance is just $173 per year, or about $14 per month. To compare, the average cost of homeowners insurance is much more expensive, at $1,311 per year.

 

How much renters insurance do I need?  

Everyone needs a different amount of renters insurance. As a general rule, you should have enough personal property insurance to cover the total cost of the items you own. If you’re not sure how much coverage you need, it can be helpful to create a home inventory.

For liability insurance, you should choose coverage limits that cover the full value of your assets, like a vehicle, money in savings, retirement accounts, and investments. If you were sued for bodily injury or property damage, these are the assets that would be at risk if you didn’t have enough insurance coverage to compensate the other person for their losses.

There’s no set guideline for choosing coverage limits for medical payments or loss of use insurance. However, most insurance companies offer a few different coverage limits, so you can choose the amount of protection you want. Keep in mind that choosing higher coverage limits usually means you will pay a higher premium.

What are the best renters insurance companies?

There are lots of insurance companies that sell renters insurance. The best renters insurance company is different for everyone based on your location, coverage needs, budget, and other personal factors. To find the best renters insurance provider, you should compare a few insurers and get quotes to find the most affordable policy. 

How to compare renters insurance companies

When comparing renters insurance companies, here are some criteria you should consider:

Coverage limits

Check to see what coverage limits the insurance company offers and make sure they offer sufficient policy limits for your needs.

Discounts

Renters insurance isn’t usually required, but some landlords require their tenants to have renters insurance. Check your lease agreement to see if your landlord requires your to have renters insurance. Even if renters insurance isn’t required, it’s still beneficial. It’s also one of the most affordable types of insurance you can get.

Third-party ratings

The best car insurance company is different for every driver. It depends on your coverage needs, what discounts you can qualify for, your budget, and what you value in an insurance company. To find the best car insurance company, research several insurers that meet your coverage needs, then get quotes to find the most affordable policy for you.

Customer reveiws

There isn’t a single home insurance company that is the best for everyone. Every home insurance company has unique advantages and disadvantages, so comparing multiple providers is important. Like with car insurance, you should also compare rates from several home insurance carriers to find the cheapest policy for your situation.

Before you purchase renters insurance, make sure to get quotes from a few different companies, which will help you find the cheapest policy for your situation. You can take our short quiz to see how much you can expect to pay for renters insurance.

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FAQS:

Does renters insurance cover theft?


Yes, renters insurance does cover theft of personal items in your home and when you’re on vacation. It also covers items in your vehicle. If your car gets stolen, your renters insurance policy would pay to replace the items inside.

Is renters insurance required?

Renters insurance isn’t usually required, but some landlords require their tenants to have renters insurance. Check your lease agreement to see if your landlord requires your to have renters insurance. Even if renters insurance isn’t required, it’s still beneficial. It’s also one of the most affordable types of insurance you can get.

Does renters insurance cover water damage?

The best car insurance company is different for every driver. It depends on your coverage needs, what discounts you can qualify for, your budget, and what you value in an insurance company. To find the best car insurance company, research several insurers that meet your coverage needs, then get quotes to find the most affordable policy for you.

Is renters insurance worth it?

There isn’t a single home insurance company that is the best for everyone. Every home insurance company has unique advantages and disadvantages, so comparing multiple providers is important. Like with car insurance, you should also compare rates from several home insurance carriers to find the cheapest policy for your situation.