Renters Insurance

"What is renters insurance?" is a good question, but "Why should I have renters insurance?" is a better question. The answer: It prevents small inconveniences from turning into significant financial burdens. Remember, your landlord's insurance protects their property but does not cover your personal belongings. Only you can safeguard yourself and your possessions. At Namaste Insurance Agency in San Leandro, CA, we offer renters insurance that ensures your belongings are protected.

Renters insurance is a type of property insurance that protects the insured from liability claims and compensates for losses to personal items. This coverage includes injuries that occur in your rental, as long as they are not caused by structural issues. Injuries resulting from structural problems are the landlord's responsibility. Renters insurance covers everything from a small studio apartment to a house or mobile home.

Whether you're just starting out or staying in a location for a year, purchasing a renters insurance policy—likely the least expensive and most accessible insurance you'll ever own—can be a wise investment. You may not think you own anything of great value, but you likely do—more than you could comfortably afford to replace in the event of a major burglary or fire.

Moreover, no matter how cautious you are with your apartment (the most common type of housing for renters), you cannot control your neighbors. They might open your security gates, buzz in uninvited individuals, or fall asleep with a cigarette, potentially causing a significant fire.

While your landlord's property insurance covers the building itself, it does not cover the contents of your unit or the damages for which you could be sued by someone injured in your apartment or rented space. Renters insurance in San Leandro, CA, ensures that your belongings and liabilities are protected.

Personal property coverage, renters liability insurance, and supplementary living expenses are the three categories of coverage provided by a standard renters insurance policy. Insurance companies may call these coverage kinds different names, but they all work similarly.

Personal property or personal belongings coverage is what most people think of when it comes to renters insurance. Personal belongings include furniture, clothing and shoes, electronics and devices, appliances and kitchen equipment, home goods such as bedding and towels, and most sports and hobby equipment such as bicycles and musical instruments. Certain personal belongings may be excluded from a standard policy if they’re above a particular value, such as jewelry, artwork, collectibles, and specialized computer or hobby equipment.

Renters liability or personal liability coverage provided by a renters insurance policy covers the policyholder in case of a lawsuit resulting from incidents originating on the rental property, such as accidental injuries, injuries from household pets, or accidental damage to a neighbor’s personal property. If needed, your liability coverage can be increased or augmented with an umbrella insurance policy.

Additional living expenses coverage provides reimbursement if a covered disaster results in temporary relocation from the rental property. This ensures the policyholder is compensated for additional lodging, food, and other living expenses while living elsewhere. According to the Insurance Information Institute, covered disasters generally include smoke, fire, explosions, theft, vandalism, windstorms, lightning, and water damage from internal sources, such as plumbing or intrusion from a neighboring unit. Standard exclusions include earthquakes and floods from weather or other external water sources.

Connect with Namaste Insurance Agency to learn more about Renters Insurance.

It might be time to switch insurers whenever your existing insurer's service doesn't meet your needs. For example, it might be time to consider other options if you have poor claims experience or an unexplained rate increase.

If you cancel a previous policy before a new policy is effective, you could run into some serious financial problems.

Contact us today to help you with multiple options to choose from.