While there are many advantages to living in a rental home or apartment (like not paying mortgage payments and not being responsible for maintenance), you still have a responsibility to protect yourself and your belongings. That’s where renter's insurance comes in. The short answer to the question, "Do I really need renter's insurance?": YES.
While your landlord has an insurance policy that covers the actual brick and mortar of the building that you live in, it does NOT cover the loss of your electronics, jewelry, and other personal property if something were to happen. Would you have enough money to replace these items if they were stolen or damaged? If not, then you definitely need a renter's insurance policy.
With renter's insurance, you will be able to replace what is damaged or stolen. Renter's insurance covers your possessions against losses from fire or smoke, lightning, vandalism, theft, explosion, windstorm, and water damage from plumbing.
However, Pennsylvania renters insurance does not cover floods, earthquakes or routine wear and tear. You can, however, buy separate policies for flood and earthquake damage.
Another benefit of renter's insurance is that if you are forced out of your home because of a disaster your additional living expenses will be covered. Renters insurance pays the reasonable additional costs of temporarily living away from your home if you can’t live in it due to a fire, severe storm or other insured disaster. It covers hotel bills, temporary rentals, restaurant meals and other living expenses incurred while your home is being rebuilt. Coverage for additional living expenses differs from company to company.
Renters insurance also covers your responsibility to other people injured at your home or elsewhere by you, a family member or your pet and pays legal defense costs if you are taken to court, which is another huge benefit!
Renters insurance is also incredibly affordable. For a low price, you can protect yourself and your belongings. AND- when you bundle your auto and renters together, you'll get a multi-policy discount! Sometimes it's less total cost than what you were paying with just the auto policy! Let us help you find the policy that is right for you. Contact us here and lets get started!