What does renters insurance cover and how does it work? | GEICO

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What does renters insurance cover?

If you’re a renter, you may not think you need insurance at all. (Your landlord already has insurance on the building, right?) But you may not realize that your landlord’s policy doesn’t cover any of your personal property. What would happen if:

  • Your apartment building burned down
  • A thief broke into your town house
  • A guest slipped and injured himself in your kitchen
  • The home you’re renting suffered water damage

A renters insurance policy protects you and your belongings from the unexpected. Think about it, could you afford to replace all your personal items if they were destroyed in a fire? A renters insurance policy can help cover the expenses, up to your limits, to help replace your personal property and help you with temporary living expenses if your apartment is damaged by a covered loss and you cannot stay there.

Renters insurance also provides coverage to help protect you against claims that others make against you. This is called liability coverage and can help cover medical expenses and/or legal fees if someone is injured on your property.

What does renters insurance protect?

Too often, people think they don’t have enough property to make a renters insurance policy worthwhile. But take a minute to think about what you own, and what you’ve got to lose, including:

  • Clothing
  • Furniture
  • A television or entertainment system
  • A computer
  • Musical or sporting equipment
  • Jewelry

When does renters insurance apply?

Your renters policy will state exactly what you’re insured against. In the insurance world, it’s known as “named peril” coverage.

What are some named perils your renters policy may cover?

  • Fire or lightning
  • Windstorm
  • Smoke
  • Vandalism or malicious mischief
  • Theft
  • Accidental discharge of water
  • Other common loss types

Your coverage will also include liability protection, which generally covers injury to another person on your property. If necessary, your policy can even pay for your legal defense in these circumstances. Many landlords actually require tenants to purchase renters insurance with specific liability limits, especially if they own pets.

Additionally, your policy will include medical payments coverage that pays for medical expenses of people who don’t live with you, but who are injured on your property.

Get covered. Get a renters insurance quote now.

What is not protected under renters insurance?

A renters insurance policy does not provide coverage for your belongings if they’re damaged under certain events. Generally, natural disasters such as earthquakes and flooding are excluded, however, specialized policies may be available for these events. There may be other events that aren’t covered under your policy. You should always review your policy documents and contract to be sure.

Specific limits of coverage available for items such as jewelry, art, and antiques may also apply. Make sure you select enough coverage to protect your items.

How much does renters insurance cost?

Renters insurance with GEICO can cost as little as $12 per month. How much coverage you choose to buy and what deductibles you select affect the price of your policy. Coverage limits vary, and you will want to select an amount that safely protects your belongings. The deductible is the amount you are agreeing to pay before your benefits apply. Higher deductibles lower your insurance cost, while lower ones raise it. Think of it as how much you are willing to pay out of pocket if you have a covered loss in exchange for a lower monthly renters insurance payment.

How much renters insurance do I need?

You should think about all the personal property that you own. You want to make sure you buy a renters insurance policy with limits that will be enough to cover these items. You may want to create an inventory to make sure you don’t forget anything. You can update as you buy new items. Don’t forget you may need to update your renters insurance policy too. We also have an easy to use personal property calculator to estimate the value of your belongings. This tool can help you customize your renters policy to cover your needs.

Renters insurance provides protection if your personal property is damaged, stolen, or destroyed. Get an online renters insurance quote.

Why buy renters insurance?

Without renters insurance, you’ve got no coverage for personal property loss or damage. Fortunately, you can get affordable renters insurance (also called apartment insurance) to help protect you in situations like these. Get a free online renters insurance quote right here or call (800) 841-2964.

Go with GEICO and Save

You hear “GEICO,” and you think “car insurance,” right? But we have so much more to offer-and many ways to help you save. It’s easy to find an affordable renters policy with great coverage through the GEICO Insurance Agency. In fact, with our proud record of customer satisfaction, the question is why wouldn’t you choose GEICO? Get a quote today.

Please note:

The above is meant as general information and as general policy descriptions to help you understand the different types of coverages. These descriptions do not refer to any specific contract of insurance and they do not modify any definitions, exclusions or any other provision expressly stated in any contracts of insurance. We encourage you to speak to your insurance representative and to read your policy contract to fully understand your coverages.

Renters coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.