Tip to help choose accurate, appropriate limits for your personal property and liability coverage. Show
You've followed your rental guide and it's time to move in! Your furniture is in place, the utilities are hooked up, and your rental unit is starting to look like a home. Is renters insurance next on your to-do list? If you answered no, you're not alone. According to the Independent Insurance Adjusters & Brokers of America (IIABA), almost two-thirds of residential lessees in the United States don't carry renters insurance. Yet a renters policy is more important, accessible and affordable than you might think and in some cases, renters insurance is required by landlords. But renters are often unclear about what renters insurance is, what it covers and how much they need. What does renters insurance cover?In short, renters insurance covers what you own. Most landlords' insurance covers only the building and damages due to negligence. Coverage for some of the most common causes of property damage and loss, such as theft, vandalism and fire, is entirely up to you. Without renters insurance, you may have to bear the financial burden of a loss on your own, including the cost of a hotel stay if you cannot live in your apartment while repairs are made. Want to protect your stuff?Most renters' belongings cost more than they think. In fact, the average person has over $35,000 worth of belongings that are probably not covered by a landlord's policy. Take a moment to add up the approximate cost of your computer, television, stereo, furniture, jewelry and clothing. If a fire gutted your apartment tomorrow, would you have the cash to replace it all? Renters insurance also covers much more than just your personal property. The average policy can include up to $100,000 in liability coverage. That means in the event of a covered loss your insurer will help cover the costs if you're held responsible for injuring another person or damaging another person's property, including your landlord's. Moreover, this coverage applies whether the incident occurred within your residence or elsewhere. Be sure you are protected against the unexpected with renters insurance. Get a free quote now. How much renters insurance do I need?Renters insurance is relatively inexpensive. According to the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, Inc. (IIABA), the average renters policy costs just $12 a month for up to $30,000 in personal property coverage. That's solid coverage for less than the cost of a few cups of coffee a week. Here are some tips to help you determine your insurance needs.
Your renters insurance premiums will reflect the deductibles you agree to pay. Lower deductibles mean higher premiums; higher deductibles mean lower premiums. Keep in mind that an insurer will not reimburse you for a loss amount that is lower than the deductible. This means if your deductible is $2,000 and you suffer $1,750 in losses, then you are entirely responsible for those costs, even if the cause of the loss is covered by your policy. When choosing a deductible, think carefully about the out-of-pocket costs that you are willing, and able, to pay. A disciplined saver may be able to offset the greater risk of a high deductible with cash reserves. Others, however, will have to balance the benefit of a higher deductible against the risk of greater out-of-pocket expenses.
And finally, remember where your apartment is located will play an important role in determining your renters insurance rates. Prices will vary based on your state, city and neighborhood. Safer locations might mean lower rates, so renting in a low-crime area near a fire station might save you money. Your rates will also reflect the safety of the rental property itself. For example, an older, unrenovated building might have a higher risk of electrical and plumbing issues, and that can mean higher rates. Fortunately, steps as simple as installing smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in your apartment may mean real savings, even if you do rent an older property. What does personal liability mean in renters insurance?Personal liability coverage on your renters policy may cover you if a claim or lawsuit is brought against you for damages due to bodily injury or property damage, up to the limits of your coverage. It may also pay for legal costs resulting from lawsuits.
Why is lemonade renters insurance so cheap?The company takes customer premiums and places them in a central pot, then uses that pot of money to pay out claims to other customers. Because Lemonade isn't pocketing excess premiums as revenue, it lets the company offer coverage at a lower cost than other insurers.
Why would someone want to have renters insurance if their building owner has insurance?In many cases, the insurance a landlord carries covers only the building. Personal property loss or damage, caused by theft, vandalism or fire are typically not covered by the landlord's policy. Without renters insurance, the tenant may have to bear the financial burden of a loss to their personal property.
How does property and liability insurance protect?Property insurance protects the structure of your home (dwelling coverage) and your belongings (personal property coverage). And personal liability coverage protects you if you're legally responsible for damage to someone's property, or if you accidentally injure someone whether you're at home or away from it.
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