What is Renters Insurance & How Does it Work? (2024)

FAQs

What is Renters Insurance & How Does it Work? ›

Renters' insurance covers you against financial loss if your personal property (contents) is damaged or destroyed from a covered peril. A peril is something that may cause damage to or destruction of your property such as a fire, hurricane or theft.

Renters insurance typically covers fire, windstorms, lightning, explosions, theft, and vandalism. Your personal property, personal liability, additional living expenses, and guest medical expenses are usually covered under your renters insurance.

One of the main cons of getting renters insurance is that it can be an added expense for tenants who are already paying rent and other living expenses. This can be a deterrent for some tenants who may feel that they cannot afford the additional cost of a renters insurance policy.

Renters insurance has three basic coverage components: personal possessions, liability, and additional living expenses.

Flooding, earthquakes and sinkholes are all examples of natural disasters that are not covered by a typical renters insurance policy. All three of these events can easily damage your personal property, so you should buy additional coverage if you think you're at risk.

Unless you're moving to relocate while your rental home is repaired due to a peril covered by your renters insurance policy, the cost of your move is not covered either. Licensed moving companies usually offer coverage for damage while they have your stuff. Third-party moving insurance is also available.

Renters insurance will not cover a broken window in your own residence, but the personal liability coverage in your policy will cover damage to someone else's window if it's determined you're the liable party.

Renters insurance coverage is almost always worth it. It is much more affordable than other policies, including home or auto insurance, and provides valuable financial protection. Even if you can save enough money to cover unexpected loss, renters insurance may be worthwhile.

Renters insurance is not mandatory. However, just because you are not legally required to have renters insurance doesn't mean you shouldn't consider getting it. If you don't have renters insurance, you risk losing your personal property, and your landlord's insurance will not cover your belongings inside the rental.

Why should you purchase renters insurance? ›

Renters insurance protects your belongings from loss, damage, or destruction following things like burglaries, fires, tornadoes and other covered events. Plus, renters insurance also protects your liability (and your money) if someone is injured at your rental home or apartment.

Renters insurance may cover pet damage as part of your policy's liability coverage. This may help protect your finances if your pet injures someone else or damages their property. However, renters insurance won't cover damage to your own property that's caused by your pet.

Standard renters insurance policies typically won't offer coverage for bed bug infestations or any resulting damage. If an infestation occurs, you or your landlord are responsible for covering the extermination costs.

What does renters insurance cover? Renters insurance covers personal property, personal liability, medical payments and additional living expenses or loss of use, up to the limits of your policy. Learn more about what renters insurance covers and the types of renters insurance coverages.

Renters insurance is an insurance policy that can cover theft, water backup damage, certain natural disasters, bodily injuries and more in a rented property. If you rent an apartment, home or even a dorm, renters insurance is recommended for protecting your space and belongings in the event of a covered accident.

Renters insurance is tax-deductible only when you are running a business from your apartment or rental home and you've set aside an area meant solely for work — similar to homeowners insurance tax deductions.

If your cat tears up your apartment's wall-to-wall carpeting or your brand new couch, renters insurance typically does not cover the damage. But if your dog bites someone or gnaws the legs off your neighbor's lawn furniture, your renters insurance might provide coverage.

Your insurer may also pay for mold remediation in that scenario, as well as lodging if you need to live elsewhere while the mold is removed. However, if the mold resulted from your negligence, then you typically won't be covered.

Renters insurance might cover some of your personal property should the ceiling collapse in the home or apartment you rent. It should also cover additional expenses incurred while your place is undergoing repairs. However, it will not likely cover any injuries you sustained in your own rental.

Damage or destruction due to vandalism, fire and certain natural disasters are all usually covered. So is your liability if someone is injured on your property. Certain catastrophes, like flooding or earthquakes, are generally not covered by basic homeowners policies and require specialized insurance.