Are you a potential Phoenix resident confused about renter’s insurance? Trust us, you’re not alone.
We know the process of renting an apartment can be confusing, and you probably have a lot of questions. What is renter’s insurance and what does it cover? Do I have to have it?
At Moontower, we’ve helped hundreds of people through the leasing process, and we’re also here for you through the steps that follow signing your lease. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you navigate the process of getting renter’s insurance.
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In this article, we answer your questions about renter’s insurance, including:
- What is renter’s insurance?
- Do you need renter’s insurance?
- What is the average cost of renter’s insurance?
- How do you get renter’s insurance?
A Guide to Renter’s Insurance in Phoenix
What is renter’s insurance?
Generally, renter’s insurance covers damage to you or your landlord’s property caused by theft, fire, natural disasters or other catastrophes.
However, there are many types of renter’s insurance, so it’s important to check a policy to see what it actually covers. For example, while some policies cover personal property (belongings that you own), others cover personal liability (legal costs if you are liable for an injury that happens to someone in your home).
Do you need renter’s insurance?
The answer is almost always, “Yes!”
While renter’s insurance isn’t required by law in Arizona, a landlord can require its tenants to have it. The landlord can also set a minimum required dollar amount for the policy’s coverage.
Nearly every apartment in downtown Phoenix (and most apartments in general) require renter’s insurance. Most apartment complexes will offer their own policy; however, most of the time this only covers the building’s property. This means that if there are any damages, it doesn’t cover the resident’s personal property.
Many people make the mistake of assuming their landlord will cover damages just because the tenant didn’t cause it. However, there are very few cases where the landlord is liable to cover your losses if you don’t have insurance, even if the damage isn’t your fault.
Say a pipe bursts in your apartment, destroying your laptop, TV, and couch. If you don’t have renter’s insurance, it’s your responsibility to replace these damaged items out-of-pocket, even though you didn’t cause the damage yourself.
It’s important to get renter’s insurance to cover your personal belongings in case they are destroyed or stolen. Then, if these accidents happen, your insurance will reimburse you to replace your personal items.
What is the average cost of renter’s insurance?
In Phoenix, renter’s insurance can vary anywhere from $11 to upwards of $26 per month.
This price can vary greatly depending on where you live and how much coverage you decide you need when selecting your policy.
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How do you get renter’s insurance?
To get renter’s insurance, you can purchase your own policy, or you can use your landlord’s policy if they offer one.
Some landlords offer their own insurance policy that you can opt into, or it may be added automatically. A landlord’s insurance usually covers damages to the building and personal liability, but it often won’t cover your personal items. If your landlord offers their own policy, read through it and ask questions to find out exactly what is covered.
Moontower requires that you have renter’s insurance, and we offer a policy that meets our minimum of $100,000 in liability coverage. You’ll find that this is a standard amount for apartments around downtown Phoenix.
Many people decide that they want a completely separate policy to cover themselves. There are many affordable options online that are customizable to the amount of coverage you need. Purchasing your own renter’s insurance allows you to meet the minimum coverage required by your landlord, plus add additional coverage that you want, such as for your personal property.
We hope that this article helps you understand the importance of renter’s insurance at any apartment in downtown Phoenix. If you have any questions about renter’s insurance at Moontower or about your housing search in general, contact our leasing staff!
