Many people choose to rent rather than own a home. But even renters may suffer financial hardship if an injury or property damage occurs and they don’t have insurance protection. Renters insurance can give renters financial security if something damages their property or belongings. 

What Is Renters Insurance? 
Renters insurance includes both liability and property damage coverage. Your landlord likely has their own insurance that protects the structure of your rental. However, you will still need renters insurance to cover your personal property and belongings—anything inside the walls of your rental. 

What Does Renters Insurance Cover? 
The liability portion of your renters insurance policy helps protect against claims of third-party bodily injury or property damage that you or another person listed as insured on your policy may cause. It might also help pay for medical bills if someone is injured inside your rental.  

The property portion of your renters insurance policy helps protect against damages and losses to your property and belongings. You have two personal property coverage options with renters insurance: replacement cost value or actual cash value. If you insure at replacement cost value, you can replace your purchased belongings at today’s prices up to the limit of the policy. If you opt for the actual cash value, you get the replacement cash value minus depreciation at your loss.  

Some renters insurance policies may also pay your temporary living costs if you need to move because of a fire or another insured disaster. Your policy may cover hotel bills, temporary rentals, restaurant meals and other living expenses up to your policy limits.  

How Much Personal Property Coverage Do I Need? 
Renters insurance is usually optional, but you want appropriate coverage to sufficiently protect your belongings. It’s beneficial to total the value of everything you’d like to replace if it were damaged or stolen. Record model numbers, dates and places you purchased items and take photographs or videos of your items if possible. 

Your policy premium will depend on the value of your belongings and what you want to insure.  

How Do I File a Renters Insurance Claim? 
Renters insurance can offer protection if your belongings are stolen, vandalized or destroyed, but you must first file a claim for your loss or damages.  

It is a good idea to inventory your belongings before purchasing renters insurance so that your policy will provide adequate protection. This list will also help if you have a covered incident and need to file a claim. 

Your renters insurance company will need you to provide information to begin the claims process. This information may include documentation of the value and description of your property—which reiterates the importance of a personal inventory—or a police statement detailing the incident. If your claim is approved, your insurer will make a payment to you. Sometimes, you’ll have to hit your deductible on your claim before your insurer pays the rest. Some insurers may also enforce maximum amounts on how much they’ll pay for specific claims. 

We can help you understand the claims process to ensure that everything moves along smoothly if you have to file a claim. 

Get Peace of Mind 
We can help you with a renters insurance policy that gives you the protection you need. Mr. Auto Insurance helps Florida renters with their coverage needs. Call us at 888-249-5464 to get started on your policy.