Last Updated October 2025

Yes, in most cases landlords can legally require you to buy renters insurance. Typically, that requirement will be part of your lease. Not all landlords require it, and no state law makes renters insurance mandatory. Even if it’s not required, having renters insurance can help reduce both financial risk for renters and disputes between tenants and landlords. Here’s what you need to know about when renters insurance may be required, why landlords set this condition and what the benefits can be.

What to know about renters insurance

Whether you live in a studio apartment, a condo or a three-bedroom rental home, renters insurance can help you protect your finances by helping with costs related to certain sudden, unexpected events, like a fire or theft. It doesn’t cover the structure of your building — that’s the landlord’s responsibility. Instead, renters insurance typically includes:

• Personal property coverage. This helps cover your belongings — furniture, clothing, electronics, kitchenware — and can help repair or replace them if they’re damaged by a covered event, including theft. It can also cover your things even if they’re not at home — if your bike is pinched outside a café, for example. 
• Liability coverage. This can help with costs that arise if someone else is accidentally hurt or their property damaged and you are legally liable. It can even help with legal costs if you’re sued.  
• Additional living expenses. If you have to move out because a covered event makes your rental uninhabitable, this can help with extra costs related to a temporary rental or hotel, food, transportation, parking, storage and other essentials while you’re living elsewhere.  

Why buy renters insurance? Learn more about the reasons for renters coverage.

Reasons landlords may require renters insurance

It can minimize their liability for damage

A landlord’s insurance is meant to cover the building where you rent. But the landlord’s insurance normally doesn’t cover your belongings or your personal liability. If you accidentally cause damage covered by your policy — for example, a kitchen fire that spreads — your renters insurance can help you cover your liability to the landlord for some of the repairs.

It makes the renter’s responsibility for their personal property clear

Without renters insurance, a tenant may look to their landlord to cover their losses after a theft, fire or storm. By requiring coverage, landlords help ensure tenants have their own financial safety net — and reduce the chances that tenants attempt to make the costs fall to them or that a legal issue might arise.

Learn more about whether renters insurance may be worth it for you

Understanding renters insurance rules for landlords

Whether a landlord can require renters insurance depends partly on state law. Generally:

• Most states allow it, but no state requires it. Landlords can require renters insurance in every state but Oklahoma. Some states set limits on the amount of insurance that can be required.   
• Some exceptions apply: Public, subsidized or rent-controlled housing may have restrictions on requiring renters insurance. Some states may make exceptions in cases of financial hardship. Renters can check local regulations for specifics. 
• Lease agreements need to be clear. If your landlord requires renters to buy insurance, the requirement should be written clearly into your lease agreement. Often, a landlord will specify a minimum amount of insurance required. Tenants are typically asked to provide proof of coverage before moving in.  

Risks for tenants without renters insurance

Not carrying renters insurance when it’s required in the lease agreement can have serious consequences. 

• Lease violations. A landlord may issue a warning, impose penalties or even terminate the lease. 
• Financial risk. Without coverage, tenants may need to pay out of pocket for replacing personal belongings or covering liability claims. 

Tenants who can’t afford insurance might be able to get help from their landlord, who may recommend lower-cost policy options or allow tenants to join a group plan if available.

The information contained in this page is provided for general informational purposes only. The information is provided by Farmers^® and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to this article or the information, products, services or related graphics, if any, contained in this article for any purpose. The information is not meant as professional or expert advice, and any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

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