Last Updated June 2026
- Renters insurance is not required by law, but landlords can make it a condition of your lease.
- A typical renters insurance policy can help cover your personal belongings, provide liability protection and pay for extra living expenses if you can’t live in your rental because of damage caused by a covered event.
- Your landlord’s insurance covers the building itself — not your furniture, electronics or other personal property.
- Renters insurance typically is affordable.
Renters insurance is not legally required, but your landlord may require it. Even when it isn’t required, renters insurance can help you protect yourself financially if your belongings are stolen, damaged or destroyed, or if you’re found liable for injuring someone else or damaging their property.
Here’s what you need to know about renters insurance requirements, what a policy covers and how to decide how much coverage makes sense for you.
What is renters insurance?
Renters insurance is a personal insurance policy for people who rent a home, apartment or condo. It typically covers your personal belongings if they’re stolen or damaged in a fire, windstorm or other event covered by your policy, and your personal liability for injuries to others or damage to their property.
How is renters insurance different from homeowners insurance?
The main difference between renters and homeowners insurance is that homeowners insurance covers the structure of the home — the walls, roof and common areas — while renters insurance does not. If you’re renting, your landlord owns the building and their insurance covers it. Both renters and homeowners insurance cover the policyholder’s personal property and liability and provide additional living expenses if damage or loss is caused by a covered event.
Common misconceptions about renters insurance
- “My landlord’s insurance will cover my stuff.” It won’t. Landlord insurance does not cover a tenant’s personal property.
- “Renters insurance is too expensive.” Renters insurance tends to be one of the most affordable types of personal insurance. The average premium for renters insurance was $171 in 2022, or $14 a month, according to the most recent data available from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
- “I don’t own enough to need coverage.” Even modest belongings — clothing, a laptop, a few pieces of furniture — can add up if you have to replace them all at once.
What renters insurance covers
Renters insurance typically covers these scenarios if damage or loss is connected to a covered event, such as a fire, theft or an accident in your living space:
| Personal property | Furniture, electronics, clothing and more, up to the limit you choose |
| Liability | Costs if you’re found responsible for injuring someone or damaging their property at home or away |
| Loss of use | Hotel stays, meals and extra living costs if your rental becomes uninhabitable |
| Off-premises theft and damage | Belongings stolen from your car or somewhere away from home, like a hotel room |
What renters insurance doesn’t cover
Renters insurance policies can vary. Talk to an agent about the best options for your situation.
| Floods and earthquakes | Separate coverage is required for each |
| Roommate’s belongings | Each roommate typically needs their own policy |
| Pests and wear and tear | Damage from insects, rodents or gradual deterioration |
Review your renters insurance declarations page for details about the types and amount of coverage you have, perils covered, claim limits and deductible costs.
Is renters insurance mandatory?
No state law requires renters to carry renters insurance. However, landlords have the legal right to require it as a condition in the lease you sign. Whether renters insurance is required depends on your lease agreement and your landlord’s policies.
When might renters insurance be required?
Many landlords — particularly large apartment communities and property management companies — require renters insurance because it can help them protect their rental business. A tenant who loses everything might not be able to pay the rent. Requiring insurance also reduces the chance a liability claim against a tenant will become the landlord’s problem.
Some landlords may specify minimum coverage amounts or require that they be listed as an interested party on your policy. Being listed as an interested party means your landlord is notified if your policy lapses or is canceled.
If your lease requires renters insurance, you’ll typically need to provide proof of coverage before you move in or by a specified date.
If your lease requires renters insurance and you don’t have it, your landlord may have grounds to pursue legal action, including eviction.
Benefits of renters insurance for tenants
Even when renters insurance isn’t required, there are good reasons to consider buying renters insurance.
Coverage for personal belongings
Clothing, furniture, electronics, kitchenware — most renters don’t realize the value of their belongings until a fire, theft or other covered loss forces the question. Renters insurance can help cover the cost of replacing or repairing damaged belongings whether the loss happens at home, in your car or somewhere away from home like a hotel room.
Liability protection
If a guest slips and falls in your apartment, or if you accidentally leave a candle burning that causes a fire, liability coverage can help pay for the resulting costs — including medical bills or legal defense expenses if you’re sued.
Additional living expenses
If a covered event like a fire means you can’t live in your rental temporarily, loss of use coverage in renters insurance can help pay for any extra costs incurred by a hotel stay or short-term rental, restaurant meals and other increased living expenses while your living space is being repaired.
Affordability
Consider the average cost of renters insurance — about $14-$15 a month for up to $35,000 in coverage, according to the 2022 NAIC data — meaning your policy could pay up to that amount if you file a renters insurance damage or theft claim. Costs vary by state, but you can get a sense of its affordability by checking how much renters insurance might cost in your state and then comparing that number to what it would cost to replace your things after a fire, theft or other sudden unexpected event.
How to determine the right amount of renters insurance
Choosing how much renters insurance you want — your coverage limits — starts with understanding what you own and what risks you face.
Evaluate the value of your personal property
Take an inventory of your belongings and their value — furniture, electronics, clothing, kitchen appliances, sporting equipment and anything else you’d want to replace if everything were lost in a fire (but don’t count your car; it needs its own insurance). This total gives you a baseline for how much personal property coverage you’ll want.
Keep in mind that some high-value items, like jewelry, art or collectibles, may be subject to sub-limits in a standard policy. Additional coverage, sometimes called a floater or scheduled coverage, may be available for specific items at an added cost.
Factors that can influence the amount of coverage needed
- Roommates: A standard renters insurance policy typically covers only the named policyholder. If you have roommates, each person may need their own policy.
- High-value items: If you own expensive electronics, instruments or jewelry, check whether your standard coverage limits are sufficient or whether additional coverage makes sense.
- Liability exposure: If you regularly have guests over or have a pet, consider whether your liability limits provide adequate protection.
Tips for assessing how much coverage you might want
A home inventory is your best starting point. It doesn’t have to be elaborate — just make a room-by-room list of your belongings with estimated replacement values. Taking a quick video with your phone camera can help you gauge the total. That number becomes your baseline for personal property coverage.
Also think about:
Liability limits. They generally start at $100,000 in coverage, but some experts recommend $300,000, according to the Insurance Information Institute. If you have significant assets or higher risks (a dog, frequent visitors), more may be worth considering.
Your deductible. This doesn’t affect your coverage amount but it will affect how much you’re reimbursed in case of a claim. A policy with a $500 deductible could pay $1,500 on a $2,000 claim; with a $1,000 deductible, it could pay $1,000. (If the deductible is higher than the loss, nothing would be paid.) A higher deductible lowers your premium but means more out of pocket if you suffer a loss. It’s good to think about the amount you could realistically cover if something happens.
Replacement cost vs. actual cash value. Knowing if you want replacement cost coverage or actual cash value coverage will help you choose your coverage. If your laptop is stolen, replacement cost coverage can pay for a new one of the same quality. Actual cash value coverage takes depreciation into account, which means a 3-year-old laptop would be reimbursed at its current market value — not what you’d pay for a new one.
FAQs
Does my landlord’s insurance cover my belongings?
No. Your landlord’s insurance covers the building structure, not your personal property. If your belongings are damaged in a fire or stolen, your landlord’s policy won’t help cover your losses.
What does renters insurance not cover?
Renters insurance typically does not cover damage from floods or earthquakes. It also generally won’t cover a roommate’s belongings (unless they’re listed on the policy), damage from pests or vermin or normal wear and tear. If you live in a flood-prone area, separate flood coverage may be available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Separate earthquake insurance may be available but varies by location.
How do I file a renters insurance claim?
When you file a claim, typically you need to:
- If it’s a theft-related claim, report the theft to the police and obtain a police report.
- Document the damage or loss with photos or video, if possible.
- Provide proof of ownership for any items you’re claiming — receipts, bank statements and photos can help. A home inventory, if you have one, can help.
- Contact your insurer or agent to begin the claims process.
Can I be evicted for not having renters insurance?
If your lease requires renters insurance and you don’t have it, your landlord may have legal grounds to pursue lease violations, which could include eviction depending on local laws and the terms of your lease. Check your lease carefully.
The information contained in this page is provided for general informational purposes only. Read our editorial standards for Insurance Questions and other content. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied. This does not refer to any specific insurance policy and nothing herein is intended to replace or modify any terms in your actual policy.
Farmers may also provide information on topics that are not directly about insurance policies or coverage that we believe could be helpful to you. Information in such articles is not meant as professional advice, and any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
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