Renters insurance may cover appliances when all three of the following conditions are met:

• You own the appliance 
• The appliance is considered personal property under your policy 
• The damage or loss is caused by a covered event 

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), renters insurance can help with the cost of repairing or replacing personal belongings damaged by fire, smoke, theft, vandalism, certain types of water damage and other events either named or not specifically excluded from your policy. Flooding and earthquakes require separate coverage.

Examples of situations where coverage may apply include:

• A microwave or mini-refrigerator you purchased is damaged in a kitchen fire 
• A countertop toaster oven you own is stolen during a break-in 
• A wine cooler you added to your kitchen is damaged by smoke from a neighboring unit’s fire 

In these scenarios, renters insurance may help pay to repair or replace the appliance, subject to your policy limits and deductible.

Renters insurance generally does not cover appliances that belong to your landlord — for example, the refrigerator, stove and built-in microwave that come with your unit. These items fall under the landlord’s policy, not the tenant’s.

Other typical exclusions include damage caused by:

• Age, wear and tear 
• Mechanical breakdown 
• Poor maintenance 
• Manufacturer defects 
• Flood or earthquake damage (unless you have separate coverage) 

Generally, renters insurance covers large and small appliances you move into your apartment and plan to take when you go (though you should check your specific policy to see what is actually covered). Examples include:

• Countertop appliances like microwaves, blenders, icemakers and air fryers 
• Coffeemakers and espresso machines 
• Mini‑refrigerators and beverage coolers 
• Portable washers or dryers 
• Portable dishwashers

Electronics like TVs and stereos aren’t usually thought of as appliances, but like appliances they fall under the personal property coverage in renters insurance and can be covered if damaged. Insurers may have slightly different rules for covering appliances and electronics. Why? Because appliances can cause damage as well as being damaged (such as a loose washing machine hose flooding your basement and ruining the washer). Electronics typically don’t cause damage.

When you file a claim for a damaged appliance, a value assessment will drive how much your policy may pay. Actual cash value policies reimburse based on the appliance’s depreciated value, which starts with the amount it would take to replace it with new property of like kind and quality and then deducts value for its age. Replacement cost policies can pay the cost to buy a new, comparable model.

Insurers typically consider the item’s age, condition, expected lifespan and documentation such as receipts or photos when determining its value. Deductibles and any applicable sub-limits also will apply.

No, renters insurance usually does not cover appliances that stop working because of age, wear and tear or mechanical failure. But it can cover appliance breakdowns caused by accidental damage. And many insurers offer optional equipment breakdown coverage that can cover appliances.

Accidental damage typically happens suddenly and is linked to an event that’s covered in your policy, such as fire, explosion or vandalism. Examples include:

• A microwave stops working after being hit by a lightning‑related power surge.  
• A blender and toaster sitting next to the stove are scorched when the stove catches fire.  

Wear and tear is gradual deterioration that happens over time through normal use, aging or lack of maintenance and leads to a mechanical breakdown. It is not considered a covered peril under most insurance, including renters insurance. Examples include:

• A microwave stops heating food after 10 years of daily use 
• The compressor in a mini-fridge wears out because its coils have never been cleaned 
• A portable dishwasher’s motor burns out because of clogged filters 

How do I file an appliance damage claim under renters insurance?

You can start a renters insurance claim with Farmers^® in one of three ways: 

• Online, through the  Farmers claim portal 
• Call the Farmers claims center at 800-435-7764
• Contact your Farmers agent 

A claims representative typically will ask for: 

•  Your policy number 
• How and when the damage happened 
• A list of damaged or destroyed items, with estimated ages and values 
• Photos or videos of the damage 
• Receipts or other proof of purchase for higher-value items 

Your claims representative can help you understand your limits, deductibles and the value of your damaged appliance. Processing a renters insurance claim can take as little as a few days or longer, depending on the extent of the damage and how quickly supporting information is available.