Complete Guide to Renters Insurance for First-Time Renters 

You have stuff. Maybe lots of stuff. Some of it, such as your furniture, electronic devices, jewelry, or collectibles, might be valuable. Others, such as your furnishings, small appliances, and your entire wardrobe, might not hold a lot of intrinsic value, but they must be replaced after a fire, a burst water pipe, burglary, or countless other reasons for damage or loss. 

But renters insurance isn’t just about personal property protection. A growing number of property owners won’t even let you sign a lease until you can prove you have renters insurance coverage. Then there’s the liability threat. 

The bottom line is, there are ample reasons that first-time renters and others need to have this type of coverage, as discussed in this renters insurance guide. 

Why First-Time Renters Need Insurance 

What does renters insurance cover? It’s an easy thing to disregard. After all, you don’t own the space in which you live. If your apartment or rental home is damaged, the property owner will cover it — right? 

Yes, and no. The property owner’s insurance will cover the structure — the walls, roof, HVAC, electrical systems, and all of that. But everything inside your own rented space is on you. 

Can you afford to quickly replace $20,000 worth of computers, phones, furniture, and other belongings lost in a fire? Where would you live while your apartment is being restored after a damaging event? Can you afford your replacement housing? 

Those and other reasons are why you have renters insurance. 

What Does Renters Insurance Cover? 

Your personal belongings, in and out of your space. Your short-term housing needs should you be displaced by damage to your space. And it protects you against lawsuits. Here’s how all of that breaks down. 

Personal Property Protection 

Renters insurance works a lot like auto insurance. If your belongings are stolen or damaged by smoke, fire, or internal flooding, your policy helps replace them — up to your coverage limit. 

How quickly would you need to replace your work attire if you have a job to go to, or your electronic devices if you’re self-employed? Can you wait to save up thousands of dollars so you can begin to replace your lost valuables? With renters insurance, you just file a claim and get a check. 

Personal property protection also covers belongings stolen or damaged outside your home, such as items kept in your car or a storage unit. 

Liability Coverage for Accidents 

Liability coverage protects you if someone is hurt in your home and blames you. Whether they slip in your kitchen or trip on clutter, your policy helps cover legal and medical costs. 

Whatever the reason, you now need to hire a lawyer. If you lose the suit, you’ll pay for civil damages and court costs. It could add up to thousands of dollars, all of it out of your own pocket, unless… 

If you have renters insurance, you have liability insurance. Your policy will make payment on your legal and court costs. 

Temporary Housing When You Need it 

Remember the mention of smoke and flames? It’s likely that such damage will put you and your family off the premises for some time until your unit can be restored. How long will that take? Days? Weeks? Months? 

Family and friends might be willing to put you all up on couches and on the floor for a while, but how long can you do that? Instead, you’ll want to move into temporary housing until you can get back to your place. But what will that cost you out of pocket? 

The answer is very little, if you have renters insurance. Temporary housing, when needed, is yet another benefit of a standard policy. 

Peace of Mind 

This is the bottom-line benefit of your highly affordable renters insurance policy. You don’t even have to imagine what you’d do if you suddenly and very unexpectedly racked up thousands of dollars in damages. No worries if you and your loved ones are instantly made homeless by a catastrophe that wipes out your rental space. 

If you’ve got renters insurance, you’ve got it covered. 

How to Choose the Right Policy 

Renters insurance isn’t complicated, but you’ll get more value when you work with an Acceptance Insurance agent who can explain your options clearly and help you choose the right coverage. Here are a few factors worth considering. 

Determine Coverage Amounts 

Ask yourself: What’s everything you own worth, and could you replace it all tomorrow? Knowing your belongings’ value helps your Acceptance agent set the right coverage amount for your needs. 

These are the questions to ask yourself before buying a policy. That’s because the higher your coverage limit, the more you’ll pay in premiums. Makes sense when you think of it. You’ll pay more in car insurance if you own a Ferrari than if you drive a Chevy sedan. That’s because it would cost the insurer more to fix or replace the more expensive vehicle. 

Same with renters insurance. Never pay for more than you need. Take an audit of your possessions and figure out a ballpark estimate of the total. That’s so you don’t insure property for $50,000 that’s only worth half that amount. 

Compare Deductibles and Premiums 

Your deductible is the amount you agree to assume for damages or loss before your insurer pays the rest. If you have a $500 deductible on a $3,000 claim, your insurer will pay $2,500. 

The higher your deductible, the lower your premiums. That’s because if you have a high deductible, your insurer will be responsible for a lower figure if a claim is made. 

But here’s where you need to crunch some numbers. Your local Acceptance Insurance agent can help you compare deductible options and coverage levels to find what works best for your budget. Don’t make the deductible so high that you won’t be able to pay the amount out of pocket if you have to, or so low that it makes your premiums higher than you want to pay. Find the sweet spot between deductible and premiums. 

Tips for Saving on Your Policy 

Ever hear of “bundling?” It’s a pricing strategy in which policyholders get a discount by combining two or more lines of coverage. In other words, if you have a car policy, see if that insurer also sells renters coverage. By bundling the two policies, you might save considerably. 

Another easy way to save is to work with an Acceptance Insurance agent. Our team partners with multiple top carriers, so we can shop for the best policy and price on your behalf. Independent agents don’t work for one single insurer, so they’re not going to give you a “take it or leave it” cost quote. Instead, they have contractual relationships with several quality brands, so they can go shopping and find you the best policy at the most affordable cost. 

Ensure Peace of Mind While Renting, With Assurance 

As a first-time renter, you’ve got a lot to think about. You’ll feel more secure when you have an Acceptance agent in your corner — ready to guide you, answer your questions, and make sure you’re covered when it matters most. 

Chat with an independent Acceptance Insurance agent. Receive answers to any and all questions, and gain a highly affordable renters insurance quote. Call us today at (877) 405-7102 or get a quick online quote. You can also find an office near you to meet with us in person and speak with a helpful agent. 

FAQs 

Still have questions? We’ve got answers. Here are some of the top issues first-time renters want addressed when it comes to renters insurance coverage. 

Is Renters Insurance Required by Law? 

No, it’s not a legal requirement in any state. However, you might find that many property owners require coverage. They want to make sure that you won’t go broke (and be unable to continue paying your rent) if catastrophe strikes. 

How Much Does Renters Insurance Cost, on Average? 

It’s very affordable. You might pay around $25 a month. But the actual cost will vary depending on your coverage limit, deductible, location, credit history, and other factors. Talk with your agent, who should be able to put together quotes with various factors involved. 

Does Renters Insurance Cover Natural Disasters? 

Yes, almost all severe weather events and natural disasters are covered on a standard plan. That includes fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, strong winds, and others. Earthquakes and floods generally aren’t covered in standard policies, but you can get separate policies for those events or write them into your standard coverage as an addendum for an added cost. 

Can I Bundle Renters Insurance With Other Policies? 

Yes! And it’s a smart move to do so. Bundling means seeking coverage from an insurer that already handles some other form of coverage for you, such as life, auto, or a business plan. You’ll often get a price break when you bundle plans.