Persons who live in apartments or rent a residence are fortunate. Most insurance companies can protect their assets and belongings by using a policy that is designed especially for tenants; a renters policy. Typical policies cover your possessions for common causes of loss, additional living expenses related to making other living arrangements, medical expenses for treating people injured on your premises and, of course, lawsuits. Renters' policies will also protect the tenant's investment in improvements to a living space made at his or her expense (such as custom-made, built-in shelves).
Property Coverage
Protection under a standard renters' policy is on an actual cash value basis (the cost to replace with a new, similar item, less depreciation).
Example: Stewart's kitchen catches fire and his three year old refrigerator is destroyed. A new model of the refrigerator costs $750. His insurance company pays him $362, explaining that it's the effect of three years of deteriorating value. Most companies offer coverage on a replacement cost basis if you purchase a separate endorsement.
Theft Limitations
Certain types of property are quite vulnerable to being stolen, therefore very limited coverage is available for items such as jewelry, furs, gems, gold, silverware, pewterware, money, securities, guns and accessories. Protection can be increased by adding additional coverage to the tenant policy or by purchasing a personal article floater policy.
Additional Living Expenses
A typical tenant policy provides a limit equal to 20% of your contents insurance limit. If your contents limit is $15,000, then your additional living expenses limit will be $3,000.
Liability Coverage
Liability insurance covers you for injury you cause to others and for damage to property that belongs to others. The policy also provides for the cost of a lawyer (if necessary) and most court costs. Examples of liability claims include: slips and falls; beaning a neighbor's child with a baseball; hitting a golfer with your errant hook shot; or a friend breaking her hip when she trips on a skateboard your child left on the stairs.
Complete, broad, affordable protection is available to protect Renters. It's a smart move to purchase it!
For more information or to get your renters insurance quote, contact us today.
Source: ©The Rough Notes Company, Inc.