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Renters insurance coverages

Renters insurance coverage

When you find the right place, you want to find a renters insurance policy to match. While your landlord’s insurance policy is likely to cover the building, it’s unlikely to protect your personal possessions.

Personal belongings – items not a permanent part of your rental’s structure

Renters insurance personal property coverage

Personal property

Your renters insurance may cover your personal possessions if they're stolen, damaged or lost in a natural disaster or fire. Many renters are surprised to learn the cost of replacing personal property can range from $15,000 to $35,000. Renters insurance helps you cover those costs if you experience a loss.

Liability protection — to protect you in the event someone is hurt on your property

Renter insurance liability coverage

Liability coverage

Accidents happen. If you accidentally set fire to the neighbor’s balcony while grilling, or if your guest slips and falls on a kitchen puddle and is injured, renters insurance may help cover the costs of a liability claim against you.
Renters insurance medical payments

Medical payments to others coverage

This coverage helps pay for medical expenses when a visitor or guest is accidentally injured on your property or when you accidentally injure someone. 
Renters insurance personal injury

Optional: Personal Injury

If you said or did something that someone could take offense to, such as a spontaneous comment on social media, a Personal Injury Endorsement may provide protection if you face a lawsuit. Adding a Personal Injury endorsement to your renters insurance policy helps protect you if you’ve offended another person in some way. It offers coverage for offenses like slander, defamation of character, libel, imprisonment and invasion of privacy.

Living expenses — for costs you incur if you must move out of your rental following a covered loss

Renters insurance additional living expenses

Additional living expenses

If your apartment or rental is damaged in a fire or natural disaster, you’ll need a place to stay. Additional Living Expenses coverage helps you offset the extra costs (beyond your typical daily expenses) associated with living somewhere else while your apartment is being rebuilt. Additional living expenses may include hotel/motel costs, laundry and more.

Optional endorsements — You may find you need additional coverage to provide protection in certain situations that might apply to you, your belongings and your rental unit.

Renters insurance scheduled personal property

Scheduled personal property

The personal property coverage included with your renters policy provides only limited coverage for certain high-value items, such as jewelry. To ensure your high-value items have adequate coverage, you can list (or “schedule’) them on your renters insurance policy. The items you can schedule vary, but could include:

  • Engagement and wedding rings
  • Other jewelry
  • Stamps, coins, ceramics, and other “collections”
  • Cameras and equipment
  • Fine art, such as paintings, rugs, and vases
  • Furs
  • Golf equipment
  • Musical instruments and equipment
  • Silverware

Scheduling these items helps ensure that you receive maximum reimbursement in the case of loss.

Renters insurance water backup and sump overflow

Water Backup and Sump Overflow

If your rental has a basement and water backs up into it due to a sump pump failure or sewer backup, you want to be sure your belongings are covered. However, coverage for water backup and sump overflow is NOT included in a standard renters insurance policy. If you need it, you can add a Water Backup and Sump Overflow endorsement to your policy. 

One note: A Water Backup and Sump Overflow endorsement will not cover you if you experience a flood. Purchase a separate flood insurance policy to protect yourself from flood damage.

Renters insurance earthquake coverage

Earthquake coverage

Live in an earthquake-prone region? An earthquake endorsement provides protection for your personal property. Earthquake coverage also provides additional living expenses while your rental is being rebuilt or repaired. Earthquake coverage limits and deductibles vary — so check with us to find out what’s available in your area.

Deductible choices

Renters insurance policy deductible

Renters insurance policy deductible

Your deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance coverage takes over. For example, if you choose a policy with a $1,000 deductible and you experience a loss, you will pay $1,000 out of pocket on any claim before your insurance would pay anything. Adding a higher deductible to your policy may be an effective way for you to lower your insurance payments. If you take this approach, you’ll want to be sure you can cover the amount of the deductible in the event you file a claim. We offer a variety of deductible options; call today to find out what choices are available to you.

Renters insurance availability and coverage varies by state.

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