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Renters Insurance

What Is Renters Insurance?

Renters insurance can help protect your personal belongings and provide liability coverage for certain covered losses.

This guide explains what a typical renters insurance policy may cover, additional coverage options you may want to consider, and average renters insurance premiums from popular insurance companies.


Key Takeaways

  • Renters insurance pricing can vary depending on your personal circumstances, location, coverage selections, and the insurance company you choose.
  • Comparing renters insurance options from different companies can help you better understand available prices and coverage.
  • Independent agents and insurance comparison platforms can make it easier to review multiple insurance options.
  • Insurance Help is designed to help visitors explore insurance information and compare available coverage options in a simpler way.

How Much Does Renters Insurance Cost?

Renters insurance is generally considered one of the more affordable types of insurance. However, the amount you pay can vary depending on your location, personal property limits, deductible, and selected coverage.

RENTERS INSURANCE RATES FROM POPULAR COMPANIES

Insurance ProviderAverage Yearly Renters RateMonthly Rate
Allstate$372$31
American Family$289$24
Farmers$246$20
Liberty Mutual$285$24
MetLife$283$24
Nationwide$253$21
Progressive$305$25
State Farm$179$15
Travelers$217$18
USAA$186$15

Tip: Consider Bundling Renters and Auto Insurance

In addition to helping protect your personal belongings, renters insurance may also provide an opportunity to receive discounts when combined with another insurance policy.

For example, some insurance companies offer multi-policy discounts when renters and auto insurance are purchased together. Bundling these policies may help reduce your overall insurance costs.

The amount of any available discount can vary depending on the insurance company and your individual circumstances.


Renters Insurance Premiums by State

The cost of renters insurance can vary significantly depending on where you live.

Factors such as local weather risks, property crime rates, claims activity, and regional insurance costs can all affect premiums.

Below is a state-by-state breakdown of average renters insurance costs.

StateAverage Renters RateAverage Monthly Premium
Alaska$185$15
Alabama$271$23
Arkansas$307$26
Arizona$242$20
California$219$18
Colorado$209$17
Connecticut$291$24
Washington DC$235$20
Delaware$249$21
Florida$256$21
Georgia$270$22
Hawaii$241$20
Iowa$171$14
Idaho$196$16
Illinois$239$20
Indiana$331$28
Kansas$256$21
Kentucky$206$17
Louisiana$451$38
Massachusetts$215$18
Maryland$228$19
Maine$142$12
Michigan$265$22
Minnesota$162$13
Missouri$284$24
Mississippi$316$26
Montana$227$19
North Carolina$280$23
North Dakota$156$13
Nebraska$190$16
New Hampshire$163$14
New Jersey$223$19
New Mexico$223$19
Nevada$200$17
New York$316$26
Ohio$215$18
Oklahoma$273$23
Oregon$196$16
Pennsylvania$232$19
Rhode Island$289$24
South Carolina$220$18
South Dakota$173$14
Tennessee$226$19
Texas$379$32
Utah$163$14
Virginia$219$18
Vermont$113$9
Washington$168$14
Wisconsin$165$14
West Virginia$284$24
Wyoming$133$11

How to Get a Renters Insurance Quote

There are several ways to request renters insurance quotes. One option is to contact insurance companies individually, while another is to work with an independent insurance professional or use an insurance comparison platform.

Comparing multiple options can help you review differences in:

  • Premium prices
  • Coverage limits
  • Deductibles
  • Available policy features
  • Insurance company options

The average annual renters insurance premium in this example is approximately $233 per year, or around $19 per month.

However, your actual rate may be different depending on factors such as:

  • Your address
  • The amount of personal property coverage you select
  • Your liability limits
  • Your deductible
  • Your claims history
  • Available discounts

Insurance Help provides information designed to help visitors explore renters insurance options and better understand the coverage available to them.


How to Compare Renters Insurance Quotes

When reviewing renters insurance quotes, it is important to look beyond the price alone.

A lower premium may not always provide the same level of coverage as another policy. Reviewing the details of each option can help you make a better-informed decision.

Here are several important steps to consider.

1. Assess Your Coverage Needs

Start by estimating the value of your personal belongings and determining how much coverage may be appropriate.

Consider your:

  • Furniture
  • Electronics
  • Clothing
  • Jewelry
  • Personal belongings

You should also consider how much personal liability coverage you may need.


2. Compare Multiple Quotes

Reviewing quotes from more than one insurance company can provide a broader view of the options available to you.

An insurance comparison platform such as Insurance Help may help simplify the process of exploring multiple insurance options.


3. Review Coverage Limits and Deductibles

Check the amount of coverage included with each policy and understand the deductible you would be responsible for paying when applicable.

A lower premium may sometimes come with:

  • Lower coverage limits
  • Higher deductibles
  • More limited policy features

4. Look for Additional Policy Features

Some renters insurance policies may offer optional features or additional protections, such as:

  • Identity theft protection
  • Additional living expense coverage
  • Additional personal property coverage

Availability can vary depending on the insurance company and policy.


5. Understand Policy Exclusions

Review what the policy does not cover.

For example, standard renters insurance may not include coverage for certain types of losses, such as:

  • Flood damage
  • Earthquake damage

Additional coverage may be required for these risks.


6. Research the Insurance Company

Consider reviewing factors such as:

  • Customer service reputation
  • Claims experience
  • Financial strength
  • Available coverage options

7. Ask About Available Discounts

Some insurance companies may offer discounts for things such as:

  • Security systems
  • Smoke alarms
  • Non-smoking households
  • Multiple insurance policies

Available discounts can vary.


How Does Renters Insurance Work?

Renters insurance works differently from homeowners insurance.

When you rent a house or apartment, the physical structure of the property is generally insured by the property owner’s insurance policy.

Your renters insurance policy is primarily designed to help protect:

  • Your personal belongings
  • Your personal liability
  • Additional living expenses in certain covered situations
  • Medical payments to others when applicable

You generally do not insure the building itself through your renters insurance policy.


Primary Types of Coverage in a Typical HO-4 Policy

A standard renters insurance policy commonly includes four primary categories of coverage.

Personal Liability

Liability coverage may help protect you if you are found legally responsible for certain injuries or property damage.


Personal Property

This coverage may help protect your personal belongings when they are damaged or destroyed by a covered loss.


Additional Living Expenses

If a covered event makes your rental home temporarily unlivable, this coverage may help with certain additional living expenses according to the terms of your policy.


Medical Payments to Others

This coverage may help pay certain medical expenses if a guest is injured under circumstances covered by your policy.


Named Perils Coverage

Renters insurance policies are generally structured around specifically listed covered events, often referred to as named perils.

A peril is simply a cause of damage or loss.

For example, if a covered fire damages your personal belongings, your renters insurance may help compensate you for covered losses up to the limits of your policy.

The exact coverage available depends on the terms and conditions of your individual policy.


Common Covered Perils

A typical renters insurance policy may include coverage for certain losses caused by:

  • Fire
  • Lightning
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Explosions
  • Civil unrest
  • Aircraft
  • Vehicles
  • Smoke
  • Vandalism or malicious mischief
  • Theft
  • Volcanic eruption
  • Falling objects
  • The weight of snow, ice, or sleet
  • Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam from certain systems or appliances
  • Sudden and accidental damage to certain heating, water, or fire-protection systems
  • Certain short-circuit damage involving electrical appliances

The exact perils covered can vary depending on your insurance policy.


Understanding Your Renters Insurance Coverage

Renters insurance is designed to provide financial protection when certain covered events result in property damage or liability.

You pay a premium for your insurance coverage, and if you experience a covered loss, the insurance company may provide compensation according to your policy limits, deductible, and policy terms.

The goal of insurance coverage is to help reduce the financial impact of certain unexpected events.


What Is Typically Covered and Not Covered by Renters Insurance?

Typically CoveredTypically Not Covered
Personal property damage from covered events, such as fire or theftDamage caused by certain natural disasters, such as floods or earthquakes
Liability for certain injuries occurring in your rentalA roommate’s belongings unless they are included in the policy
Additional living expenses for covered lossesAutomobiles and certain related property
Medical payments for certain guest injuriesIntentional damage or gross negligence
Certain personal property away from homeBusiness equipment used for professional purposes
Theft or damage involving certain rented itemsHigh-value items exceeding standard policy limits without additional coverage
Certain accidental damage to another person’s propertyNormal wear and tear or maintenance-related issues

Coverage depends on the specific policy.


Items That May Require Additional Coverage

Some belongings may have limited coverage under a standard renters insurance policy.

If you own valuable items, you may need an endorsement or rider to increase the available coverage.

Coverage Sub-LimitPropertyLimitations
$200Money, coins, and gold—
$1,500Jewelry, watches, and fursTheft only
$1,500Watercraft and trailersTheft only
$2,500Firearms—
$2,500Silverware—
$2,500Business propertyOn-premises
$500Business propertyOff-premises
VariesElectronics—

Policy limits and available coverage can vary.


What Does Renters Insurance Not Cover?

It is important to understand the situations where standard renters insurance may not provide protection.

Renters insurance generally does not cover property that you do not own.

For example, the structure of your apartment or rental home is generally not covered by your renters policy. The building itself is typically the responsibility of the property owner.

Standard renters insurance may also exclude damage caused by:

  • Floods
  • Earthquakes
  • Certain maintenance-related issues
  • Normal wear and tear

Additional coverage may be available for certain risks depending on the insurance company.

Your landlord’s insurance policy generally does not replace the need for your own renters insurance coverage.


Is Renters Insurance Required?

Renters insurance is generally not required by law in the same way that auto insurance may be required.

However, a landlord may legally require tenants to maintain renters insurance as part of a lease agreement.

Renters insurance can benefit both the tenant and the property owner by helping provide protection for the tenant’s personal belongings and certain liability situations.

For example, if a tenant accidentally causes damage or a guest is injured under circumstances covered by the policy, renters insurance may help provide financial protection according to the policy terms.


Additional Considerations Before Purchasing Renters Insurance

Before selecting a renters insurance policy, consider the following factors.


1. Determine Your Coverage Needs

Create a home inventory of your belongings.

Documenting your possessions can help you:

  • Estimate how much personal property coverage you need
  • Keep track of valuable belongings
  • Make the claims process easier after a covered loss

Consider recording details about items such as:

  • Furniture
  • Electronics
  • Jewelry
  • Appliances
  • Clothing
  • Other valuable belongings

2. Decide Whether to Share a Policy With a Roommate

If you share a home or apartment with a roommate, you may consider whether sharing a renters insurance policy makes sense for your situation.

Sharing a policy may divide the cost between multiple people. However, there are also potential considerations.

For example, if the policy is under your name, claims involving your roommate may potentially affect your insurance history.

Before sharing a policy, carefully consider how claims, coverage limits, and personal belongings would be handled.


3. Explore Additional Coverage Options

If you own high-value belongings, standard coverage limits may not be enough to fully protect those items.

You may want to ask about:

  • Scheduled endorsements
  • Riders
  • Additional electronics coverage
  • Additional protection for valuable property
  • Other optional coverage features

An endorsement can modify or add coverage to an existing insurance policy.

Some additional coverage options may increase the cost of your policy.


4. Consider Replacement Cost Coverage

Many insurance policies may reimburse personal property based on its actual cash value.

Actual cash value generally takes depreciation into account.

Replacement cost coverage, on the other hand, may provide coverage based on the amount required to replace an item with a similar item at its current value, subject to policy terms and limits.

Some insurance companies may offer replacement cost coverage as an additional policy option or endorsement.


Explore Renters Insurance Options With Insurance Help

Insurance Help is designed to make insurance information easier to understand and help visitors explore available coverage options.

When comparing renters insurance, consider reviewing:

  • Monthly and annual premiums
  • Personal property coverage limits
  • Liability limits
  • Deductibles
  • Additional coverage options
  • Policy exclusions
  • Insurance company reputation

Taking the time to compare available options can help you better understand which renters insurance coverage may fit your individual needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other people are also asking…

No. Insurance Help is not an insurance carrier. We are an insurance comparison platform designed to help you explore and compare available insurance options in one convenient place.

This can make it easier to review policies and coverage choices that may fit your needs without having to search through multiple providers individually.

The process is designed to be quick and straightforward. You answer a few questions, and available insurance options can be reviewed based on the information you provide.

After finding an option that interests you, you may be able to continue online or speak with a licensed insurance agent for additional assistance.

Insurance Help may receive compensation through insurance-related partnerships, including commissions associated with policies purchased through participating agents or providers.

We may also offer services designed to help customers review and organize their insurance policies. Any applicable fees or service costs will be communicated as part of the relevant service.

The insurance policy is issued by the applicable insurance provider you choose.

Depending on the available option, you may be able to purchase coverage directly from the insurance provider or complete the process through an authorized agent or service. The insurance company responsible for issuing the policy will provide the applicable policy and coverage terms.

We understand that your personal information is important.

Insurance Help is committed to handling submitted information responsibly and does not sell personal information to spammers or third-party marketers for unsolicited marketing purposes.