People who move around a lot or have no interest in buying a home favor renting for several conveniences. In some cases, a lease may require renter's insurance, which is about $300 per year. Renters with valuable possessions need to make sure their items are protected against natural disaster, damage, or theft. Here are four essential renter's insurance tips that can help if you ever need to file a claim.
1.Understand the Benefits of Your Policy
Not only is every insurance agency different, but so is every renter's policy. You need to read your policy thoroughly and talk with your agent if you have questions. Once you are clear on your existing coverage, you should look at adding coverage for assets not covered in the renter's policy. For example, if you like to throw parties at your rental home, it's good to have the right liability coverage in case someone falls and gets hurt.
Understanding your renter's insurance benefits before a disaster occurs will allow you to be more prepared and confident. Knowing that you'll be reimbursed when something bad happens to your possessions will allow you to avoid the financial burden of replacing or repairing your items. Think about what would happen if your rental property burned down. Where would you stay, and would you be able to pay for moving costs? A customized rental policy can ensure you're paid benefits for relocating.
2.Increase Coverage for Valuable Belongings
A basic renter's policy typically has coverage limits, such as up to $1,000 in cash value or the replacement value for damaged or stolen jewelry. What if you own something worth more than that? You may need extra coverage to completely protect its value, especially if it's something that keeps increasing in value over time, such as a vintage musical instrument. High-value item coverage may be the solution, which may require the item to be appraised by the insurer.
Renter's insurance is fairly affordable at around $25 per month, and extending the coverage won't be very costly. If you own expensive business equipment, such as a 3D printer, it's wise to insure it in case of loss or damage. Never assume that such items are automatically covered by any type of insurance just because they're valuable. Certain collectibles that may be worth a fortune may not be covered simply because the replacement value is too difficult to assess.
3.Take Inventory of Your Personal Items
In order to maximize the benefits of renter's insurance, you should take a full inventory of your most valuable belongings or whatever you would want to be replaced if it suddenly disappeared from your life. Some renters have valuable assets such as computer technology for their business, which the standard renter's insurance policy may not cover. Make sure to go over the list with your insurance agent and submit it for the company's records.
4.Try to Lower Your Premium
There are various ways to lower your renter's insurance premium. Some insurers reward renters who reduce risk in certain ways, such as installing a deadbolt on the door or investing in smoke detectors. You can also lower your premium by raising your deductible, which means you'll pay more out-of-pocket if a disaster occurs. It is important to weigh the monthly costs of your premium against the higher deductible to find a good balance that will work for you.
Another way to get cheaper renter's insurance is by adding it to an existing policy such as auto insurance from a broad carrier of different types of insurance. The more you buy from one carrier, the better deals you'll likely get. Finally, find out from your agent if you qualify for any discounts.
Following the above renter's insurance tips will help protect the value of your personal belongings. Our well-trained, experienced staff at
Little & Sons Insurance Services can tailor a comprehensive insurance program to fit your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can provide you with the appropriate coverage.
