5 Myths About Renters Insurance

When looking for a place to rent, there are several factors to take into consideration before making a decision. Top of the list is location, price, neighbors, the landlord, amenities, pet policy and the lease. Renters insurance rarely makes the list, even though it can come in handy when you least expect it and protect you when some event damages or destroys your belongings. According to the Insurance Information Institute, only 37 percent of renters buy Renters insurance. The big question is "Why so few?" It seems that a lot of people have the perception that insurance is too complicated and have developed misconceptions about how Renters insurance works. Here are the top five Renters insurance myths, debunked.

Myth #1

I can't afford Renters insurance. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the average Renters insurance policy only costs $15-$30 per month. This can vary state to state and depends on how many things you have to cover. Renters insurance is much cheaper than Homeowners insurance and a basic policy normally gives you $30,000 of personal property coverage against theft, fire and natural disasters. The difference between Renters and Homeowners insurance is that renters are just insuring their personal belongings, not the physical building itself. For less than $1 a day, you can have peace of mind in knowing that you're protected.

Myth #2

My stuff isn't worth insuring.Take a hard look at everything you own from furniture, household goods, electronics, clothing, appliances, rugs, bedding, shoes - everything. You'll be surprised if you add it all up. Even if it isn't a high dollar amount, do you have enough money to replace everything in a catastrophic event like a fire? According to US News, the average two-bedroom apartment in the US has about $30,000 worth of electronics, clothing, jewelry, bikes and more. Even if you think that you don't own enough items of value to purchase a Renters policy, you need to think beyond your apartment. In addition to personal property, a Renters policy also provides liability insurance and temporary/additional living expenses. Liability covers the cost if someone gets hurt on the property or you are responsible for damage to the property of other tenants in the complex, depending on the circumstances and who is at fault (either you or your landlord). Temporary/additional living expenses reimburse you if something happens to your rental and you have to temporarily move to a hotel. For less money than what you would spend on a coffee every day, Renters insurance is worth it.

Myth #3

My landlord has insurance, so I don't need any.Many renters think they don't need insurance because they don't actually own the place. They may think they're covered under their landlord's insurance policy, but that's incorrect. When you rent an apartment or house, the landlord will have an insurance policy that protects the actual dwelling (walls, roof, etc.) and will be responsible if a visitor gets injured on the steps for example. However, if you have a party and you or a visitor gets injured or your personal property is damaged, you could be held responsible.