What does renters insurance protect you from?

Asked by: Cindy Kassulke  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.2/5 (44 votes)

Renters insurance is an insurance policy that can cover theft, water backup damage, certain natural disasters, bodily injuries and more in a rented property. If you rent an apartment, home or even a dorm, renters insurance is recommended for protecting your space and belongings in the event of a covered accident.

What is not covered by renters insurance?

Renters insurance does not cover property damage for all perils. Renters insurance will rarely—or never—cover damage to your personal property for some specific perils, such as earthquakes, riots and pests. Most renters insurance policies will not cover damage costs associated with bed bugs, with limited exceptions.

What is the main purpose of renters insurance?

Renters insurance can help you repair or replace property after loss due to many types of damage or theft. It can also provide coverage for an accident at your residence. Policies usually have very affordable annual premiums. Note that your landlord's property insurance doesn't cover your belongings.

What should my renters insurance cover?

Renters insurance typically includes three types of coverage: Personal property, liability and additional living expenses. Personal property coverage can help pay to replace your belongings if they're stolen or damaged by a covered risk.

Does renters insurance protect the landlord?

Renters insurance doesn't protect the landlord against a personal property loss, it protects you. ... You don't need to protect the landlord, you need to protect yourself against the risk that life will happen. Generally your policy will pay replacement cost vs. actual cash value on your property.

What Does Renters Insurance Cover? | Allstate Insurance

15 related questions found

Does renters insurance cover mold?

Renters insurance may cover mold, but that's not always the case. Renters insurance covers mold damage to your personal property if the mold is caused by a covered peril in your policy.

Does renters insurance cover accidental damage?

To clear things up, renters insurance covers stolen or damaged property (but accidental damage or breakage is not covered). Renters insurance also provides personal liability coverage, which protects you if you're responsible for an accident or damage to another person or their property.

Does renters insurance cover water damage from toilet?

Renters insurance covers damage to your property from your toilet flooding because of accidental overflow or discharge. ... It would also pay for the damage you caused to the property you rented if you were deemed liable.

Does renters insurance cover water leak damage?

Renters insurance usually covers accidental water damage, but it doesn't typically cover backed up sewage or flood damage. If water from a ceiling leak damages your personal property, renters insurance usually takes care of it. ... Damage due to instances such as flooding or sewage water are not typically covered.

Is it worth it to get renters insurance?

If you're a tenant, purchasing a renters insurance policy is almost always worth it, even if it's not required by your landlord. For an affordable price, renters insurance will protect you against catastrophic damage to your property and potential legal liabilities.

Is fire covered under renters insurance?

Renters insurance protects your personal property if it's damaged by a covered event, known as an insurance peril. Common insurance perils include fire, smoke, theft, storms, hail, and lightning. Damage to your personal property by fire and smoke are covered insurance perils.

Does renters insurance cover hardwood floor damage?

Does renters insurance cover carpet and floor damage? Renters insurance won't cover the physical structure of the apartment, condo, or house you're renting. Your landlord's policy may cover damage to the floors or carpet from a covered peril.

Does renters insurance cover leaky roof?

Any damage to your personal property from rain or hail that gets in due to structural issues, like a roof leak, is typically covered under renters insurance.

Does renters insurance cover flooded basements?

If the home you're renting has a basement, fewer types of possessions kept there are covered by flood insurance than in the rest of your home. The following is the only personal property flood insurance covers in a renter's flooded basement: Washers and dryers. Food freezers and the food in them (but not refrigerators)

Does renters insurance cover broken pipe?

Renters insurance covers your belongings if leaks damage them. ... Not only does your insurance policy cover burst pipes, but it also covers household appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers. The coverage often includes both accidental discharge and sudden cracking, bulging, burning, and tearing apart.

Does renters insurance cover broken glass door?

Renters insurance policies generally do not cover broken windows on the policyholder's property. Since damage to a rental property is typically seen as a landlord's responsibility, broken windows are often covered by the landlord's policy.

Does landlord insurance cover mold damage?

Rental Default – If your property becomes completely uninhabitable due to pest infestations, black mold, or another covered scenario, your landlord's insurance policy may reimburse you for lost rental income while you rehabilitate and repair your property.

How much can you sue for mold exposure?

If you have mold-related losses (for a health-related problem or property damage), you might be able to sue your landlord in small claims court, if your claim is in the $3,000-$10,000 range, (the small claims court limit in most states).

What is a covered peril in insurance?

Perils (Covered Perils) (Glossary Word)

A risk or cause of loss. In an insurance policy, these might include fire, theft or water damage.

Is a leaking roof an emergency?

A roof leak is considered an emergency if the repair to your roof cannot wait. For example, if your roof starts leaking profusely or part of the roof or ceiling comes in, it would be considered an emergency.

What to do if roof is leaking in apartment?

Make the call as soon as you notice a leaky roof. Follow up with an email if you don't reach the landlord, or walk over to the property manager's office and notify them in person if you live in an apartment building. Unplug electronics in the room, and remove them. Place them in a room where there are no leaks.

Are scratches on the floor normal wear and tear?

There is expected damage that comes with living in a property, i.e. light wall scuffing from furniture, small nail holes, worn carpet, etc. These things are considered normal wear and tear. ... This includes hardwood floor scratches, drawings on walls, chips in tile/glass, and carpet stains.

Can you claim carpet damage on insurance?

When it comes to your insurance, carpets can seem like a grey area – are they part of the fixtures and fittings, or are they contents like any other? ... That means that unlike tiles, wood and laminate floors, which will be covered by your buildings insurance, your carpets will be covered by your home contents insurance.

Are scratched hardwood floors considered normal wear and tear?

Hardwood Floors: The average useful life of hardwood floors is 25 years. Fading of such flooring due to sunlight exposure is normal wear and tear, as would light surface scratches. However, deeply scratched hardwood floors or pieces of the hardwood missing would be considered tenant damage.

How does renters insurance work if your house burns down?

When your personal belongings are damaged or destroyed by fire, your renters insurance company will give you a payout to replace your destroyed stuff. Any losses will be covered up to your coverage limits. Your coverage limits for personal property coverage are listed on your policy declarations page.