Buying Renter's Insurance
After college graduation, there are often a series of other graduations: Natty Ice to Bud Light; 1990 20” TV to 2007 42” Sony flatscreen; $150 canvas futon to $1,500 leather couch. But what happens to all of that accumulated wealth in the event of lightning or larceny? It’s a common misconception that a landlord or condo association’s insurance will cover damage to a tenant’s goods in case of a catastrophe. Though the owner’s insurance will pay for structural building damage, it won’t protect personal property.
The simple solution is renter’s insurance: like a condom, it’s low in cost ($150-300/yr) but high in benefits. Not only does it cover individual belongings, but it gives you a place to crash when your pad is trashed and covers liability in case of any injuries. Candles, robberies, volcanic toilets—the list of possible disasters is not only limitless, but, in the world of post-grad partying, not all that unlikely. Ultimately, $17 a month is a pretty cheap price to pay for peace of mind.
Disasters and Delinquents: What Does It Cover?
Most basic plans cover fire, lightning, theft, smoke, vandalism, and wind/hail storms. Included with some, or offered as an add-on, are damage due to floods, burst pipes, riots, aircraft and vehicles, freezing of plumbing, falling objects, explosions, volcanic eruptions, and weight of snow, ice, or sleet. If you're living in a flood-, hurricane-, or earthquake-plagued area, protection from those disasters may cost additional dinero. You should be able to tweak the plan to fit your needs, but sadly no plan will cover a drunk friend urinating in a Gucci-filled dresser drawer that he thought was the toilet (personal experience…except replace Gucci with Gap).
An Advantage in Adversity: What Does it Do?
- Shields Your Stuff – Everything from a Dell computer to designer curtains can be covered by renter’s insurance. Pricey possessions, like grandma’s fur coat or grandpa’s Joe DiMaggio rookie card, may require an additional fee.
- Provides a Provisional Pad – If a fire takes out the wall, you won’t have to relocate to a bench at the bus station. The policy will pay for temporary housing to a similarly priced pad or hotel, usually for up to 12 months until the repairs are made, rebuilding is completed, or a permanent abode is found.
- Insures Injuries – When a soon-to-be-ex friend slips, breaks her pelvis and sues, renter’s insurance will help pay for medical and legal expenses. Renter’s insurance will not help find better friends.
- Don’t risk it – Two common myths worth debunking are that landlord’s insurance protects the tenant and that renter’s insurance is expensive. So, after paying $150 a month for 1,000 channels, isn’t it worth $17 to protect the precious flat screen you watch them on?
- Get tailored – Renter’s insurance protects you from the most common disasters and larcenies, such as fire, lightning, smoke, theft, and vandalism. But you can ask for additional protection for region-specific disasters if you live below sea-level or on a fault-line. Take care to tailor your insurance policy to fit your specific needs—it’ll be worth it.
- Bountiful benefits – Renter’s insurance covers all of your personal belongings as well as the medical and legal expenses associated with personal injuries. It will also pay for temporary housing in a similarly priced apartment if yours becomes unlivable due to fire or another disaster.
- Inexpensive insurance – Polices run between $150-$300/yr, and increasing the deductible will lower that price. It’s easy to dismiss, but you’ll be kicking yourself for passing on insurance when your friend lights his fart at your birthday and incinerates your couch.
- Documentation – Write a list of all your personal possessions including prices and receipts and be prepared to present it in the event of a disaster. Keeping a written (and even a photo/video) record of your property is the key to reimbursement.
