What does Renters Insurance cover?

Renters insurance covers your belongings (furniture, clothes, appliances, electronics, etc.) if they're damaged or stolen, plus injuries that you're liable for, legal fees and even hotel expenses if you need a place to stay.

What is covered under standard renters insurance?

These basic renters insurance coverages come standard in your policy:
Personal property
​Covers your belongings if stolen or damaged
Covered items on your renters policy include furniture, clothes, electronics and more. Plus, your possessions are covered even if they're in your car, storage unit, or anywhere else away from home (like on vacation). You're protected against fires, weather and water damage, theft/vandalism, and other incidents listed on your policy.

Keep in mind, there may be limitations for certain expensive items like jewelry, art, and memorabilia. If necessary, you can easily purchase extra coverage for those valuables, by "scheduling" an item (also known as adding a "rider" to your policy). Get a renters insurance quote and we'll guide you through your coverage options.
Example: Someone breaks into your apartment and steals your television. Renters insurance pays to replace the TV.
Loss of use
Covers your temporary living expenses
If your place is damaged due to a covered loss on your policy and you can't stay there, loss of use coverage pays for hotel/rent and food expenses above what you'd usually pay.
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Example: There's a fire at your apartment complex, and you're forced to live elsewhere for two weeks while the landlord makes repairs. Renters insurance will cover your hotel bill as well as restaurant/food costs over and above what you usually spend on groceries. Keep your receipts so your expenses can be documented.
Personal liability
Covers lawsuits if you're sued
If you're liable for someone else's injuries or property damage, personal liability can cover you up to the limits of your policy.

​Example: You neighbor is badly injured after slipping on your kitchen floor. Personal liability coverage would kick in and pay for your lawyer, court fees, and injuries you're liable for, up to your policy's limits.
Medical payments
Covers injuries at your place
Medical payments coverage pays for medical bills if someone else is hurt at your residence.

​Example: One of your child's friends breaks her arm at your place, and her parents ask you to pay the medical bill. Medical payments will cover the bill, up to your policy's limits.
Optional renters insurance coverages

​You can add any of these coverages to your policy based on your needs:
 Water back-up
​Covers water damage from backed-up sump pumps and sewers 
Some apartments/homes have sump pumps in their basements or crawl spaces. These are designed to pump water out from underneath and around the foundation. If sump pumps or plumbing/sewer systems get backed up, water can seep into your place and cause an expensive mess. Water back-up coverage can pay for damage to your belongings and water removal.
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Example: The sump pump in your basement breaks down, and water floods the home you’re renting, damaging your carpet, furniture, and more. Your water back-up coverage will pay for the sewage removal and damage to your property.
 Personal injury
​Covers rare but expensive lawsuits and situations 
Personal injury coverage can pay for your legal fees and additional damages from slander or libel lawsuits (something you say or write that damages someone else's reputation or business).
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Example: Your teenager posts something online that damages their teacher’s reputation. If the teacher files a lawsuit, personal injury coverage will pay for your lawyer, court fees, and any judgement up to your policy’s limits.
What isn't covered by renters insurance?

​Renters insurance won't cover damages to the roof, building/exterior of your residence or the premises around it. Those areas are your landlord's responsibility and, if damaged, your landlord would have to pay for those repairs.

We have Answers to your renters coverage questions

Wondering what kind of coverages you need to protect yourself as a renter or landlord? 

Kemi Salako is your resource for in-depth information regarding renters insurance.