If you are currently renting or plan to rent soon, we recommend you contact an insurance agent
to discuss renters insurance. While it is the landlord’s responsibility to fix the building if
something like a fire or tornado damages the home, your personal belongings will be your
responsibility to replace. Below are a few tips to help determine if renters insurance is right for
you.

What is renters insurance?

Renters insurance protects your personal property against damage or loss and also protects you in
case someone is injured on the property because of your negligence.

It’s always a good idea to take precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. But, not
everyone needs renters insurance. Dependents, such as college students, may be partially covered
under their parent or guardian’s policies. A common provision provides dependent’s coverage for
up to 10 percent of the parent’s policy. Check with your insurance agent regarding the specific
provisions of your policy.

Why purchase renters insurance?

If you live in a rented apartment, house or condominium, your landlord’s insurance doesn’t cover
your personal property in the event that it is stolen or damaged as a result of a fire, theft or other
unexpected circumstances. In addition to personal belongings, some policies will also cover
living expenses if your apartment or home is uninhabitable due to damage caused by a covered
peril. The premiums for renter’s insurance average between $15 and $30 per month depending
on the location, the policy limit requested, loss history and other underwriting guidelines.

What are your options?

Most renters insurance policies provide two basic types of coverage: personal property and
liability. Personal property coverage pays to repair or replace personal belongings if they are
damaged, destroyed or stolen. This is the most commonly purchased renters policy.

Liability insurance provides coverage against a claim or lawsuit resulting from bodily injury or
property damage to others caused by an accident while on the policyholder’s property.

There are two major types of renters insurance:

• The broad form covers personal belongings against specific events, such as fire or theft. This is
  the most commonly purchased renter’s policy. Typical coverage under this form includes
  damage from fire, lightning, explosion, smoke, vandalism, theft and water-related damage from
  property utilities.
• The comprehensive form provides coverage for a range of events, unless specifically excluded
  by the policy. Considering the potential amount of coverage, the premiums for this policy may
  be higher.

What’s actual cash value and replacement cost?

One important factor to look for when shopping for renter’s insurance is actual cash value versus
replacement cost coverage. While it may not have a large effect on your short-term premiums, it
may make a large difference in your claim.

Actual cash value coverage will reimburse the renter for the cost to replace the personal property
minus depreciation. It’s important to account for depreciation when considering this coverage
option. Replacement cost coverage will reimburse the renter for the cost of replacing the
property.

For example, if a $1500 stereo system were stolen from an apartment, five years after the stereo
was purchased, with actual cash value coverage, the policyholder would be reimbursed for the
current value of the system (likely 50 percent or $750 considering that it’s five years old). If the
stereo now costs $2000, replacement cost coverage would first pay you the actual cash value of
the stereo system and then reimburse you for the difference between the $2000 for the new stereo
system and the actual cash value paid for the old stereo after you purchase a new system of like
kind and quality. The insurer will likely require you to submit your receipts.

It is also important to have a current home inventory list so that if you do have to file a claim,
you can easily show what contents you had before the loss. Here is a link to our free home
inventory list: www.oid.ok.gov/home-inventory/.
For more information on renters insurance visit our website at www.ok.gov or contact the
Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071.