General Questions
No state requires renters insurance by law. However, landlords can legally require it as a lease condition — and increasingly do. Even if not required, going without renters insurance means bearing all risk for your belongings and personal liability yourself.
Take a home inventory — photograph your belongings and estimate their replacement cost. Most renters need $20,000–$50,000 in personal property coverage. For liability, $100,000 is the minimum; $300,000 is recommended for anyone with significant assets to protect.
No — your vehicle itself is covered by auto insurance. However, items stolen from your car (laptop, camera, etc.) are covered under your renters policy personal property coverage. Always file auto-related theft under renters, not auto insurance, to protect your auto record.
Yes — filing multiple claims in a short period (typically 2+ claims within 3 years) can lead to non-renewal. Insurers can also non-renew if your risk profile changes (e.g., acquiring an excluded dog breed, starting a home business). Cancellation mid-term requires advance notice (30–60 days) except for non-payment or fraud.
Coverage Questions
No — pest infestations (bedbugs, mice, cockroaches) are considered a maintenance issue and are excluded from standard renters insurance. Your landlord may be legally responsible for extermination depending on your state's tenant protection laws.
Not by default — but many insurers offer identity theft coverage as an endorsement for $5–$15/month. This covers recovery costs (legal fees, lost wages, document replacement) if your identity is stolen. Worth adding if you regularly shop online or have had data exposed in a breach.
Claims Questions
Document the damage or theft immediately (photos, police report for theft). Contact your insurer's claims department — most have 24/7 hotlines and mobile apps for filing. Provide your policy number, a list of damaged/stolen items with estimated values, and any supporting documentation. Most simple claims resolve within 7–14 days.
Typically yes — filing a claim often results in a 5–20% premium increase at renewal. Multiple claims within 3 years can lead to much higher increases or non-renewal. For small losses close to your deductible (under $500–$1,000 above it), it's often cheaper long-term to pay out of pocket than to file a claim.