How to get renters insurance

How do you qualify for renters insurance?

There are no requirements associated with renters insurance. Anyone who wants renters insurance can reach out to companies that offer coverage.

A renters insurance company can decide not to cover you based on your claims history and location. Also, renters insurance premiums vary based on claims history, location and coverage levels.

Renters insurance companies devise premiums based on risk. If they view you as not being risky and likely not to file many claims, you’ll pay less for renters insurance than if you’re considered risky to insure.

Find out more about How much is renters insurance in 2023.

What do you need to get a renters insurance quote?

Here’s what an insurance company will want to know about you and your apartment in order to give you a renters insurance quote:

• Your personal information, including your Security number
• The address
• Type of structure, such as whether it’s an apartment building or a home
• Your claims history
• Whether you have dogs
• The apartment’s protection, including burglar and fire alarms

Before getting quotes from a renters insurance company, you’ll want to jot down your possessions and figure out what they’re worth. The list will help you figure out how much coverage you need and help you file an insurance claim later.

You’ll want to keep the list in a safe place and make a copy to put somewhere else. That safe location could be a friend or family member’s house or a bank box.

Know more about How does renters insurance work.

How long does it take to get renters insurance?

You can get renters insurance quickly. There’s no lengthy month-long process to check your background and gauge your risk.

Instead, renters insurance companies can often get you an insurance policy the same day as when you apply. You can discuss with the insurance company when you’d like your renters insurance policy to begin.

Can you get renters insurance online?

Many renters insurance companies offer plans on their websites.

You can usually get renters insurance quotes by providing your information, address and coverage levels. With that information, a renters insurance company can review your claims history, your apartment’s risk and figure out how much that coverage level will cost.

You’ll want to figure out how much personal property and liability coverage you want. Request multiple quotes from renters insurance companies and compare to see which one is best for you.

Compare the same level of renters insurance coverage for each company so you can accurately compare.

Check out Insurance.com’s Best renters insurance companies to review offerings.

Types of renters insurance coverage

When choosing renters insurance, you’ll also have to pick your coverage. To pick your coverage, you must know what does renters insurance cover.

Here are the coverage areas in a renters insurance policy:

• Personal property -- Personal property protection covers your belongings, if they’re damaged or stolen. These items include clothing, furniture, appliances and electronics.
• Personal liability -- Personal liability handles legal costs associated with damage or injuries in your apartment. That may include a friend falling in your apartment or your dog biting a visitor.
• Deductible -- The deductible is what you have to pay when you file a claim. The renters insurance policy pays the rest of the claim if approved. Increasing the deductible decreases the premium; decreasing the deductible increases the premium.
• Additional living expenses -- Additional living expenses is coverage to help you live elsewhere if your apartment gets damaged, such as in a fire. This coverage is sometimes called loss of use.
• Additional coverage -- Renters insurance often offers add-ons to your renters insurance policy, including endorsements to cover expensive items.