Every policy is different, but a typical renters insurance policy includes the following coverage.

Personal property coverage

This coverage can help you pay to repair or replace your personal belongings — your clothes, furniture, electronics — if hurricane winds blow out a window or damage your roof and rain, wind or falling objects ruin your stuff.

Liability coverage

This coverage can help with medical and legal costs if you’re sued — for example, if a visitor staying with you during the hurricane is injured by flying debris in your apartment or rental home.

Additional living expenses coverage (ALE)

If you can’t live in your rental because rain, wind or another covered event causes damage, this coverage can help you pay costs above what you normally pay for rent, groceries and other living expenses. What that means is: If your rent is $2,000 a month but rent for your temporary hotel or rental costs $2,800 a month, ALE can pay the extra $800. It can also cover added food costs — for instance, if your temporary space doesn’t have a kitchen and you have to eat out — or even pet care, if you can’t take your pet with you.

Water damage could be covered if water enters your living space because of damage caused by wind or falling objects (think: tree or wind-driven debris). Renters insurance typically can help if rain pours into your unit through a shattered window or collapsed roof and damages your furniture, rugs, electronics or other belongings. In these situations, your personal property coverage can help with the cost for repair or replacement.

Water damage from flooding, storm surge or sewer and drain backups — water that enters your rental from the ground up during a hurricane — is typically not covered by renters insurance policies. But separate insurance may be available. Learn more about flood insurance and sewer and drain backup coverage.

Hurricane damage is complicated. Your insurance agent can help you understand what your policy covers. These are the most common kinds of hurricane damage that typically aren’t covered in a renters policy.

• Structural damage. Whether you live in a condo, apartment or rental house, damage to the building itself (walls, roof, foundation) is typically the landlord’s responsibility and damage is not covered by renters insurance. 
• Flooding and storm surge. Renters insurance — like homeowners insurance — typically excludes flood damage, even if caused by a hurricane. This includes flooding caused by storm surge and sewer and water backups. Separate flood insurance may be available. 
• Landslides, mudslides and sinkholes. Movement of the earth caused by a hurricane is typically excluded. 
• Sewer or drain backup. Water damage caused by sewers or drains backing up during a hurricane is typically excluded. 
• Power outages. If a hurricane causes off-site damage that disrupts power in your living space — situations where power goes out over a wide area — this is considered a utility problem and damage to refrigerated food or electronics is not covered unless you add optional food spoilage and power surge coverage.  

If you suffer a covered loss because of a hurricane, filing a claim promptly can help you recover faster.

1. Document the problem. Take photos or videos of your damaged belongings. Make sure to document any visible cause of the damage — for example, a shattered window where rain got in. Make a list of the property lost or damaged, and, if possible, its value. Having a home inventory can be helpful. 
   
   
2. Contact your insurer promptly. Report the damage as soon as it is safe to do so. Provide details about what happened and the extent of your losses. Your company can explain what’s covered and guide you through the claims process. 
   
   
3. Provide details. Share information about when and how the damage occurred and the belongings affected.  
   
   
4. Save receipts. Keep track of your expenses for replacing ruined possessions and for living elsewhere if you have to move out temporarily.