INTRODUCTION
Renters insurance in USA is an insurance policy that serves to protect the policyholder and personal effects as a renter of residential accommodations or commercial premises. The word, renters insurance and home owners insurance are not the same even though some persons use same interchangeably. This is because renters insurance applies to renters or Lessors’ of properties while homeowners insurance applies to insurance of individual residence together with the assets in the home. Renters insurance in USA cost on the average $15 to $20 per month
MEANING OF RENTERS’ INSURANCE IN USA
Renters insurance in USA is a part of property insurance in which the insurance company undertakes to provide insurance coverage to the policyholder subject to the payment of premium. This insurance coverage is for the purpose of payment of financial indemnity in the event of happening of eventualities leading to the destruction of the contents or the properties in the renter’s apartment. These eventualities could be in the form of accidental fires, burglary operations or robbery.
Similarly, it can as well cover injuries not arising from structural problems. This exclusion of injuries and losses resulting from structural defects is because such is solely the landlord’s responsibility.
HOW TO BUY RENTERS INSURANCE IN THE USA
Having known the need for renters insurance, there is need to take you through the gateway to getting a renter’s insurance.
Make Choice of an Insurer
The making of choice of an insurance company comes after your decision to take up a renter’s insurance coverage. This entails looking out for an Insurance Company that offers renter’s insurance policy around you. Making enquiries from friends and as well as search online will be of great help in making this decision.
Access your insurance needs
It is worthy of note that at this point, it is necessary for you to access your insurance needs. It is advisable that you take pictures or a video evidence of your belongings in your apartment. And possibly note the serial numbers in such properties that would help in verifying them. Also note the value of each of the items in the property.
The essence of this record is to be sure of the accurate value of the belongings you own so that you don’t under-insure.
Secondly, the record of the belongings you own and their respective value will be of help in the event that you are filling a claim.
Process your application
After making the choice of an Insurer, the next step to do is be to start your application.
The application processes may vary from one insurance company to another. While some companies make use of manual forms, others may prefer that you complete the form online and usually in their websites.
Pay your premium.
The next step after completing the application process will be to pay your premium for the insurance policy. Your insurance premium is the amount of money you pay for your insurance policy to crystallize. The premium represents the income of the insurance company from where your claims will be paid.
Premiums for renters insurance policy is not usually expensive when compared with other forms or categories of insurance policies. And in most cases and depending on the steps you put in place to reduce risks of losses, the insurance company may offer you some discounts. These preventives steps could include fire extinguishers, anti burglar alarm systems etc.
WHAT RENTER’S INSURANCE COVERS IN USA
The extent of the coverage in your Policy will depend on your agreement with your insurer and subject to the payment of the applicable premium. Here, we shall examine what it covers and what it does not cover.
- Public liability claims
- Personal belongings or properties
- Additional accommodation
- Theft, bodily injuries, water damage, certain natural disasters.
WHAT RENTERS INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER
Having talked about what renters insurance covers, we shall now discuss what it does not cover. This is to make you aware that merely getting a Renters’ insurance does not automatically you in all circumstances.
Renters’ insurance policy cannot cover you in losses you incur as a result of your personal negligence.
Similarly, there are risks that you would pay additional premiums so as to be covered by them.
In order words, they are not automatic. Some of these risks are ones associated with serious natural disasters with probability of high damage and includes; floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.
CONCLUSION
Having said much about renter insurance, it is highly advised that you consider getting one for yourself so as to help you mitigate the damages that you may sustain in the happening of any of the risks mentioned above.
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