If you’re part of the 35% of Americans who rent, you could greatly benefit from renters insurance. In most apartments, renters insurance is not mandatory, but greatly advised. These policies are incredibly affordable, and offer you protection and peace of mind in case of an emergency.
Most landlords only purchase insurance to protect their property, rather than its contents. This means that everything in your apartment or home is not covered in case of fire, theft, flood, or other damages. Take a look around your apartment – would you have the money to replace everything outright in case of an emergency?
Most policies also come with liability coverage, which protects you in case of damages caused by negligence. For example, if you leave a hair straightener plugged in that causes a fire in your neighbor’s apartment, you could be liable to pay for the damages caused by the accident. Renter’s insurance would help cover those costs.
A renters insurance policy could also cover your provisional expenses in case you are misplaced as a result of an emergency. This way, if your apartment becomes so damaged that it is unlivable, your policy could help cover you for hotel and other living expenses during that period.
The amount of coverage you should purchase varies. Most landlords who require renter’s insurance require a minimum of $100k in coverage, but be sure to consult with your broker or agent on the amount that will best fit your situation.
It’s important to reiterate that this coverage is incredibly inexpensive. I have a client in Richmond, Virginia, who purchased a $300K policy for just $12/month.
If you or someone you know is in need of renters insurance, please contact me for a free consultation and quote to get you started. Smitherwood Insurance is proud to offer our clients all the resources and benefits of a large agency without sacrificing personal service and care.
