Like your typical homeowner’s policy, renter’s insurance will take care of most of the costs for incidents and damage done on/to your living space.
There are, however, a few things not covered by renter’s insurance. Before investing in a policy, you must be aware of both what is and is not covered. Generally, you can expect your policy to cover anything related to personal property damage, liability/medical expenses, and loss-of-use incidents.
There are 5 main items not covered by renter’s insurance—pests, natural disasters, vehicles, roommates’ property, and certain high-value items. Let’s take a closer look at each of these categories so you know exactly what to expect from your renter’s insurance.
Bed Bugs and Pests
Bed bugs are a very difficult thing to deal with. To get rid of them, you will likely have to hire an expensive removal company, and may have to replace some of your belongings. While these expenses would be covered in other circumstances, they are not for bed bugs.
There are, however, potential exceptions to this. For instance, if you must seek a temporary living space while your space is cleaned, your policy may cover the costs involved, from the hotel to food costs. This exception applies to the removal of other pests as well.
Natural Disasters
Earthquakes and floods are not covered under renter’s insurance. This is actually a benefit to many renters—there is a high likelihood that you are not at risk for any of these disasters, and you don’t want to pay for coverage you don’t need.
If you do live in a high-risk area, you can buy a separate, additional plan for natural disaster coverage.
Vehicles
Even if your vehicle is on your rented property, it will not be covered by renter’s insurance (that is what auto insurance is for). However, any personal items stolen from your vehicle will likely be reimbursed by renter’s insurance.
Your Roommates’ Stuff
Your renter’s insurance policy covers your belongings and yours alone. Unfortunately, that means that your roommates’ things are not covered. You do have the option to share a policy, but this is not recommended.
If you share a policy, that means that claims payments will be split between you, meaning you both get less money.
Limited High-Value Items
Renter’s insurance will cover your belongings. However, when it comes to more expensive items such as fine jewelry and electronics, there may be limits on the amount you can claim. For these items, claims can range anywhere between $200 and $5,000.
Know the Ins-and-Outs of Your Renter’s Insurance
With this information, you can closely compare your options and choose a company and policy that works best for you.
With Redwood Agency Group, your coverage matters. We won’t leave you in the dark and will make sure you are matched with insurance that works for you. If you are ready to work with the experts, give us a call at (512) 994-0894 today.
