Renters insurance protects your belongings against events like fire, theft, water damage, and more. It also provides liability coverage if someone gets injured in your apartment or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property.
Your landlord’s policy only covers the building, not your personal belongings. Without renters liability insurance, you could owe thousands for unexpected accidents.
If a covered event damages or destroys your belongings, you can file a claim, and your policy helps pay for repair or replacement, up to your coverage limits. If you can’t stay in your home temporarily, additional living expenses may also be covered.
Some landlords and property managers require renters insurance as part of the lease agreement. Even if it’s not mandatory, it’s a smart and easy way to protect yourself financially.
Your exact cost depends on factors like the coverage amount you choose, your location, and any add-ons you select.
To get a clearer idea of how much coverage you need, try our Personal Property Coverage Calculator. It helps estimate the value of your belongings, including furniture, electronics, and clothing, so you can choose the right protection without paying for more than you need.
You can easily get coverage online with ResidentShield. Simply request a quote, contact us, or sign up for renters insurance in your RentCafe account if you’re a member. Customize your policy to fit your needs and enroll in minutes.
To get a quote with ResidentShield, you’ll need some basic details like your zip code, property type and name (if available), the date your policy should start, your deductible amount, and the personal property coverage you’d like.
We can help you get a quote in minutes and find the right coverage for you.
Purchasing renters insurance doesn’t affect your credit score. However, insurers may use a credit-based insurance score to help determine your rate. This is a “soft inquiry” and doesn’t impact your credit.
Read more about the connection between renters insurance and your credit score.
ResidentShield doesn’t require a credit check for your renters insurance policy. Getting the protection you need is quick, simple, and stress-free.
Your renters insurance policy provides coverage on a “named perils” basis (covered events specifically listed in the policy), which may include losses caused by fire, lightning, windstorm, explosion, smoke, glass breakage, theft, hail, and more. It also includes liability coverage for accidental physical injury or property damage caused by the insured.
The liability-only option covers accidental physical injury or property damage caused by the insured, but it doesn’t cover personal belongings.
If you have personal contents coverage with ResidentShield Insurance, you can review the extent of coverage for the most common events and belongings below. Contact your insurance agent to learn more or discuss your current policy.
Type of event/item
Coverage with ResidentShield
Fire
Yes
Wind
Yes, with $1,000 deductible
Lightning
Yes
Water damage
Yes (sewer – up to $5,000 resident personal property)
Flood
No
Earthquake
Only in California (not all insurers cover it)
Theft
Yes, with a $500 deductible (not when your car is stolen)
Bed bugs
Yes (not all insurers cover it)
Pet damage
Yes (up to $500 per occurrence)
Money, coins
Yes (up to $200)
Securities, manuscripts, or stamps
Yes (up to $1,500)
Silverware, goldware, and platinum-plated ware
Yes (up to $2,500)
Fine arts, antiques, and memorabilia
Yes (actual cash value)
Watercrafts, trailers
Yes (up to $1,500)
Aircrafts
No
Jewelry, watches, furs
Yes (up to $1,500)
Fashion accessories
No
Oriental rugs, tapestries
No
Computer hardware & software
No
Business property
Yes (up to $2,500)
Identity fraud
No
Electronic replacement
Full replacement value in case of accidents
*This is a general description of coverage for informational purposes only. Please check your actual policy for terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations.
When your rental is damaged and you can’t live there, ResidentShield’s loss of use coverage helps you pay for extra living costs such as:
Most renters choose at least $20,000–$30,000 in personal property coverage and $100,000 in liability coverage. The right amount depends on the value of your belongings and your lifestyle. Liability coverage should be enough to protect your finances in case of an accident.
Read more about finding the right coverage for you.
The easiest way is to make a home inventory. List your furniture, electronics, clothing, and high-value items with their estimated replacement costs.
To simplify this, you can use ResidentShield’s Personal Property Coverage Calculator, which gives you an instant estimate of how much coverage you may need.
Check with your property manager about any insurance coverage requirements.
ResidentShield offers two options: a basic renters policy that covers both liability and personal belongings, and a stand-alone liability policy that covers injury or property damage you may cause to others. Keep in mind, the stand-alone policy doesn’t cover your personal items.
We recommend that you consider your living situation and choose the coverage that best fits your needs and requirements.
A ResidentShield policy offers $500 in liability coverage in the event of pet damage to the apartment. This endorsement applies after the pet deposit and security deposit have been exhausted.
*Available in most states.
Yes. If your belongings are stolen from your home, or even from outside your home, like your car or storage unit, you’re covered up to your policy limits, with a $500 deductible. However, the policy doesn’t cover your loss if your car is stolen.
Yes. Unlike many insurance providers, ResidentShield covers damage caused by bed bugs.
With ResidentShield, your spouse and up to three additional adults (over 18 years old) can be covered under one policy. A nominal additional premium may apply.
Yes. Your personal belongings are covered both inside and outside your home. For example, if your headphones are stolen from your car (but not if the car itself is stolen) or your furniture is stolen from your storage unit, renters insurance can help cover the losses.
If you need to file a claim, please visit our Claims page. Make sure you have your policy number at hand.
Your claim adjuster will ask you to provide records and documents that prove you own the damaged property. These may include receipts, credit card statements, owner’s manuals, photos, or a video inventory.
We encourage all renters to store photos or a video inventory at an off-site location as backup.
No. With ResidentShield, your premiums don’t increase due to past claim activity.
Claim reimbursement timelines vary, but once all required documentation is received, most claims are processed and paid within a few days.
You can add your property as an interested party when you purchase your policy or by calling ResidentShield customer support. You will need the interested party’s name, address, and email.
The property will receive notices about policy changes, such as renewals, cancellations, or late payments.
Yes. You can switch to ResidentShield at any time. Just be sure to cancel your old policy after your new coverage takes effect to avoid overlapping charges.
Yes. You can choose to pay for your policy monthly rather than annually. However, you must call our customer support to cancel the policy and stop monthly payments.
If you choose annual payments, you’ll pay for the first year when you purchase your policy. You’ll be notified when your next payment is due, and you can pay through your account.
If you choose monthly payments, 11 payments will be scheduled to pay the total premium over the course of the year. The first month’s payment is made at purchase, and the remaining payments can be made through your account.
Unfortunately, we cannot change the policyholder’s name. If you’re moving out, you’ll need to cancel your policy, and your roommate will need to purchase their own.
You can cancel your policy at any time by contacting ResidentShield. If your property is listed as an interested party, they will be notified about the cancellation.
You have the right to cancel your policy, but you should check with your property manager to confirm whether liability coverage is required under your lease.
If you move to a new apartment within the same community, your policy remains active. However, please contact ResidentShield to update your address as soon as possible.
If you move to another community, please call our customer support so we can cancel your old policy and set up a new one for your new address.
Please contact our customer service desk at (800) 566-1186, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. CST.
Contact us at (800) 566-1186 to speak to a licensed insurance representative, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. CST. You can also email us anytime at [email protected].
