Understanding Renters Insurance

What is Renters Insurance?

Renters insurance is a type of policy that is designed to cover the tenants and their belongings residing in a rented residence. While landlords have their own policies that cover their structures and financial interests, these policies don’t generally extend coverage to their tenants’ personal property. This means that if a tenant’s property is damaged or stolen, a landlords’ insurance is not likely to cover the cost of replacing those items.

Most renters’ don’t think about protecting their belongings, much less their potential liabilities as a tenant. In many cases, tenants will look to their landlord for compensation of damaged destroyed or stolen items. If the landlord is responsible for losses due to negligence, the tenant may have a case but this is the exception, not the rule. In most cases, the responsibility for their belongings falls to the tenant. This is why many landlords require tenants to have renters’ insurance before occupying a property. They do this to avoid disagreements that may arise as a result of theft or damage. A renters’ policy also helps protect the landlord in case the renters or guests get injured on the property.

How Does Renters’ Insurance Work?

Renters insurance works just like most insurance policies. The purchaser chooses a coverage level which in turn determines the cost of the renter’s monthly premiums. In the event that anything happens to the tenant or their belongings, such as fire, theft, or other types of damage, the tenant simply files a claim with the insurance provider. The insurance provider will then pay the amount that’s equivalent to what’s covered by the policy after paying any deductible.

Apart from covering your property, renters’ insurance can also cover other types of disasters. For example, let’s say someone falls on your stairs and sues you for the medical bills, renters insurance can cover it. If you have to move out of your house after a fire tragedy, most renters’ insurance policies will take care of the cost of living in a hotel room as well. However, It’s important to go through your renters’ policy as coverage and identify its strengths and weaknesses. The elements covered by a renters’ insurance differ, and maybe less detailed if you choose a relatively low premium.

What Does Renters’ Insurance Cover?

Renters insurance primarily covers tenants’ belongings in the event of damage or destruction. But keep in mind that the policy doesn’t cover for every type of damage or accident. Renters insurance coverage typically has four types of coverage. These are;

• Personal liabilities: Incase a visitor gets injured while on your premises or their property is damaged, and you are responsible for the damages, a renters’ insurance can cover all the liability costs. This includes the cost of hiring your lawyer, for as long as it doesn’t exceed the maximum liability coverage.
• Additional Living Expenses: If a covered aspect makes your rental apartment or home uninhabitable, your renters insurance policy will cover all the expenses incurred after interrupting your normal living expenses. This is referred to as loss of use coverage.
• Medical Payments: Renters insurance also offers limited coverage for any medical costs in the event that a guest gets injured on your property.

These are the common types of coverage that renters insurance provides to tenants. Some Renters insurance policies may even cover your belongings when you’re traveling. As much as this insurance policy protects you against unexpected events, it’s still important to realize the type of scenarios that are not covered by this type of insurance.

What’s not covered by a Renters’ Insurance Cover?

Renters insurance coverage won’t protect you from everything. Most renters insurance service providers don’t cover damages caused by natural calamities, events related to dangerous dog breeds, among many others. Here are some things that aren’t covered by most renters insurance policies.

• Property Damage- Most of the renters insurance companies will not cover damages caused to the property itself. The landlord’s policy generally takes care of the property itself.
• Damage caused by Pests- Most renters insurance policies don’t cover damage costs caused by bed bugs, ants, and rodents. These are classified as a maintenance issue and failure to provide ongoing maintenance doesn’t meet the standard for coverage. It’s important to note that most residential leases leave the tenant responsible for pest remediation. The exception to this is in the event the pests at the property prior to moving in.
• Flood and Earthquake Damages- Earthquake and flood damages are also not covered by a renters policy, especially in areas prone to these natural disasters. Nevertheless, some companies offer coverage of these disasters at premium rates.
• Car Damages or Theft- If you have a car, its theft or damage won’t be covered by your renters’ policy. You’ll need a car insurance policy that offers comprehensive coverage. However, renters insurance will cover the belongings that were inside your car when it was stolen.
• Roommates- A renters insurance policy doesn’t cover damages to your roommate’s belongings. If you want them covered, you should include the items in your insurance policy.

How Much Does Renters Insurance Cost?

Fortunately, a renters insurance policy isn’t that expensive, these policies can cost you as little as $10 to $20 a month and about $200 to $250 per year. This is a fraction of the replacement cost for the average renter’s belongings. It just makes sense to obtain this type of insurance even if it’s not required.

The price of your policy is determined by the type of policy you need. Individuals who own expensive and sophisticated gadgets will pay more than those who’ve simple and less expensive items.

Do You Need Renters Insurance?

It’s all up to you to decide whether you need renters’ insurance or not. If you’re finding it hard to make this decision, start by evaluating your personal finances and your possessions. If you live in a small studio apartment with simple furnishings, and you’re sure that you can replace them from your pocket without any struggles, you may not want renters insurance. On the flip side, if you own more household items that you can’t afford to replace at once, a renters’ policy will benefit you.

Start by going through all the rooms in your house and make a list of the items and how much they will cost to replace them. Don’t forget to include the smaller items, i.e., dishes, books, clothes, even pots ,and pans. Now, sum up the total and if the total amount exceeds the amount you can afford to replace your inventory, you should consider getting a quote for a renters insurance policy.

How Can I Get Renters Insurance?

Obtaining a renters insurance policy is very easy; in fact, you’ll wonder why you haven’t already done it. After you’ve taken stock of all your belongings, find out what’s covered by your landlord’s insurance and note down everything that isn’t covered.

You can then start researching different insurance companies online and make comparisons before choosing. Most insurance companies offer free quotes online, over the phone, or even in person. You can contact them, and they’ll take you through the best insurance coverage plan for your situation.

Other Considerations When Purchasing a Renters Insurance?

Once you’ve decided that you need renters insurance, there are several things to consider before purchasing this type of insurance policy. They include:

• Price and Coverage: Insurance companies will give you a fixed amount for all your belongings, and not on separate items. The higher the amount, the more you’ll pay for your insurance.
• Deductible: It’s also good to consider how much you’ll be required to pay before your insurance kicks in. Remember, higher premium means a lower deductible and vice-versa.
• Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value- A policy will either pay you for the replacement of a similar item or pay you with ACV. ACV represents the value of the property when it was damaged. Although replacement premiums cost more, they’re worth every penny.
• Previous Claims in your Location: If you live in an area that sees a lot of claims, you’ll probably pay more for your renters’ insurance. If you or your neighbors have had lots of claims, this may also impact the price of your policy.

Final Thoughts

• Even if you feel that your personal property isn’t worth an insurance policy, simply having the liability coverage is worth the cost.
• Most importantly, ensure that you’re not paying for the coverage you don’t need. See what’s covered by your landlord’s insurance policy and make a comparison with what you need before proceeding to purchase a renters’ insurance policy.
• If you need more information about renter’s insurance, you can contact renter’s insurance experts to get estimates.

Originally published at https://www.springshomesforrent.com on October 19, 2019.