Renters Insurance

If you rent your home, you should make sure you fully understand the need for appropriate renters insurance. After all, even if you don’t own your home, you still rely on it for daily safety, stability and security. Even the safest and most risk-averse renters may eventually be involved in accidents and other incidents that could incur significant financial consequences. 

What Is Renters Insurance? 

Also sometimes referred to as renter’s insurance, this type of coverage provides financial protection from many common incidents and perils that could impact you and your home. A renters insurance policy establishes a contractual agreement between you and your insurance company and can provide you with reliable access to essential funds and resources following covered incidents. 

What Does Renters Insurance Cover? 

The details of your renters insurance may vary, and policies can often be customized to suit your preferences, needs and budget. Still, in most cases, the average renters insurance can render financial aid for losses involving the following: 

• Belongings, such as furniture, electronics and clothing

• Personal liability, such as for the bodily injuries of guests or property damage of neighbors

• Temporary living expenses, such as hotel accommodations and restaurant meals if your home is rendered temporarily uninhabitable

Covered perils under renters insurance typically consist of fires, theft, burglary, vandalism and hail. Common exclusions that you may wish to address with endorsements or other policies may include earthquakes, hurricanes and flooding. 

Does Renters Insurance Cover Theft? 

In most cases, you can rely on your renters insurance to help you recoup losses if someone steals property from your home. This includes theft and burglary, although the coverage limits of your policy establish a maximum amount of financial assistance available for such incidents and excess losses are generally not covered.  

If you want to protect a particularly valuable item, such as jewelry, artwork or an expensive electronic, it may need to be specifically “scheduled” on your insurance policy. Without this step, your renters insurance policy may not provide enough coverage to adequately reimburse you for its loss. Speak with your insurance agent to learn more about scheduling valuable personal property. 

Is Renters Insurance Required? 

Renters insurance is typically not required by law, although some landlords and property management companies may have their own mandates. Even in the absence of formal obligations, you should strongly consider acquiring and maintaining an appropriate renters insurance policy, as failing to do so could leave you without the means to financially manage or recover from even a single incident. 

Renters Insurance Near Me 

To begin assessing and addressing your renters insurance needs, you should work with a qualified coverage professional, such as those at Gene Smith Insurance Agency. Call 813-780-8300 or visit our website to learn more or get a personalized online renters insurance quote.