How Often Should You Shop Around for Renters Insurance? | Goodcover – fair, modern, cooperative renters insurance. (2024)

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How Often Should You Shop Around for Renters Insurance? | Goodcover – fair, modern, cooperative renters insurance. (1)

If you're moving to a new apartment, renters insurance is probably one of the most important things you’ll need — and we’re not just saying that because we’re an insurance company.

Your landlord's insurance covers the building if anything happens but doesn’t protect your personal belongings if they get damaged or stolen while you live there. You may think you don’t have enough valuable items worth protecting or replacing, but if your entire apartment went up in flames, insurance money would help you rebuild your life.

Good news: unlike car or homeowner insurance, renters insurance premiums are pretty affordable. In fact, many people purchase it once, put their bills on autopay, and never shop around for a lower insurance premium. That's a mistake.

It's an excellent idea to re-shop your policy every year to ensure you're not missing out on better deals with a different company. Renters insurance is pretty easy to switch, so it’s worth your time to be sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

Today, we’re going over:

  • How Often Should You Shop Around for Renters Insurance?
  • How To Find the Best Renters Insurance That Suits You
  • Final Thoughts: How Often Should You Shop Around for Renters Insurance?

How Often Should You Shop Around for Renters Insurance?

Goodcover recommends shopping for renters insurance annually, around renewal, to get the best possible deal. Insurance prices are regulated, but different companies charge more based on inflation or overhead.

Suppose the insurance provider you choose spends a lot of money on celebrity-endorsed commercial ads or has a lot of offices around the country. In that case, you'll likely see higher premiums since it costs more to run their business. Goodcover is ruthlessly efficient – we have eliminated all the waste and passed those savings on to you.

Another time to consider shopping around is when you have a significant life event, like getting engaged or moving to a new city.

How To Find the Best Renters Insurance That Suits You

The average renter may understand that renters insurance protects your personal property, but it covers much more. Understanding a little more about insurance is key to choosing the right policy for you.

You can break down getting the best renters insurance into the following process:

1. Understand What Renters Insurance Covers (and What It Doesn’t)


Here's what renters insurance covers:

  • Personal property: This coverage protects your property, such as furniture, jewelry, musical instruments, art & collectibles, cameras, and electronics. It covers damage from perils such as fire, windstorm, explosion, water damage, theft, vandalism, and riots. The standard Goodcover policy comes with $10,000 worth of coverage for personal property, but you can bump that up depending on how much stuff you have.
  • Personal liability protection: This coverage kicks in when someone sues you for bodily injury or property damage. It also pays for your legal defense if you need one. For example, if you cause a leak that damages your neighbor’s apartment below you, you can file a renters insurance claim for liability coverage. Goodcover policies start with $100,000 in personal liability protection, which most landlords require.
  • Guest medical payments: This coverage pays your visitors' medical bills if they get hurt at your home, even if it's not your fault. This coverage comes in handy if someone falls in your house and sustains an injury.
  • Temporary housing: Also called "Loss of Use" coverage, temporary housing can pay for additional living expenses if you can’t live in your house because of a problem covered by the insurance. For example, if your apartment catches on fire and you have to stay elsewhere while it’s being repaired.

Renters insurance doesn’t cover floods since the National Flood Insurance Program has a flood insurance policy. It also doesn’t cover your vehicles, powered boats, electric scooters, or aircraft.

While some electric-assist bikes are covered as bicycles on renters insurance, you should insure powered vehicles with auto insurance. But even then, Goodcover has your back. Members can access fair, competitive auto insurance rates through their Member Dashboard with Goodcover Auto.

For additional coverage, our SUPERGOOD package protects your jewelry, watches, musical instruments, and cameras from accidental damage, with no deductible. That's all in addition to your standard coverage, of course!

We also offer earthquake insurance in addition to your base Goodcover policy through our partner, Palomar.

2. Determine How Much Renters Insurance You Need

To determine how much renters insurance is right for you, you should create a home inventory. Create a list – with photos – of all your belongings and include dates of purchase, serial numbers, appraisal documents, and receipts to determine the value of your possessions and coverage limits. If you don’t have everything, just do your best to capture as much as possible.

Add all your expensive items, such as musical instruments, computers, smart devices, and jewelry, then figure out the cost of replacing them. Use that result to determine the minimum amount of renters insurance coverage you need.

Get enough renters insurance to help replace all your possessions if they’re stolen, lost, or damaged. Voilà, adulting!

3. Compare Different Insurance Companies Policies

Getting renters insurance quotes online or from insurance agents is pretty simple.

But when shopping around for renters insurance, make sure you’re basing your decision on price, coverage, and customer reviews to determine the best provider.

How Often Should You Shop Around for Renters Insurance? | Goodcover – fair, modern, cooperative renters insurance. (2)


When shopping around for renter's insurance, one crucial factor to research is how you'll get reimbursed if you have a claim — actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV).

Actual cash value (ACV) is the reduced price of an item after considering depreciation — the price you get if you sell it in its actual status today. Replacement cost value (RCV) is the total retail price of a product without any depreciation, regardless of how much time has passed.

How Often Should You Shop Around for Renters Insurance? | Goodcover – fair, modern, cooperative renters insurance. (3)

A good insurance plan provides replacement cost coverage while keeping your long-term benefits in mind. Goodcover offers RCV coverage as a standard for all renters' insurance policies (#humblebrag).

Goodcover can also compare different insurance policies for you. Email us at compare@goodcover.com for a fair review of your policy against what Goodcover can offer.

If you’re satisfied with your quote you can join immediately, and Goodcover will take care of canceling your old policy for you.

Final Thoughts: How Often Should You Shop Around for Renters Insurance?

When shopping for renters insurance, understand the renters policy you choose and get coverage at a reasonable cost.

At Goodcover, we are committed to pricing our services fairly and cutting out the extras like celebrity endorsem*nts or agent fees. But Goodcover is not just about cutting waste. We make sure you're financially protected in the event of disaster or lawsuit.

Goodcover also returns any unused premiums to Members through its Annual Member Dividend. You can take that as a guarantee that we won't overcharge you and you’ll always know where your premiums are spent.

Switch to fair, modern, and cooperative insurance — get a Goodcover quote.

Note: This post is meant for informational purposes, insurance regulation and coverage specifics vary by location and person. Check your policy for exact coverage information.

For additional questions, reach out to us – we’re happy to help.

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How Often Should You Shop Around for Renters Insurance? | Goodcover – fair, modern, cooperative renters insurance. (2024)

FAQs

How Often Should You Shop Around for Renters Insurance? | Goodcover – fair, modern, cooperative renters insurance.? ›

Goodcover recommends shopping for renters insurance annually, around renewal, to get the best possible deal.

How often should you shop around for renters insurance? ›

For most people, shopping around for renters insurance once a year, around renewal time, is the best way to ensure you continue to get the best coverage at the best price.

What is the most common amount for renters insurance? ›

Renters insurance is relatively inexpensive. According to NerdWallet, the average renters policy costs about $15 per month for up to $30,000 in personal property coverage. That's solid coverage for less than the cost of a few cups of coffee a week.

When should renters insurance be considered? ›

Renters insurance isn't legally required, but a landlord can require tenants to have a renters policy. Many landlords want tenants to be insured to help avoid potential disputes if, say, their belongings are damaged while on the property, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).

What are the 3 things renters insurance provides you with and what purpose does each of them have? ›

Renters insurance covers personal property, personal liability, medical payments and additional living expenses or loss of use, up to the limits of your policy. Learn more about what renters insurance covers and the types of renters insurance coverages.

Should you shop around for your insurance? ›

Shopping around at least once a year for car insurance can lower one of the biggest expenses of being a driver. Comparing quotes after a life event such as moving or adding a new driver to your policy can help you make sure you're still getting the best deal.

Why is my renters insurance so high? ›

Some location-based factors that impact renters insurance rates can include: The rate of crimes, especially theft, in your ZIP code. The weather and climate in your area, since locations prone to fires, storms and hurricanes are riskier. The age and condition of the property you live in.

What is a good deductible for renters insurance? ›

You'll choose your deductible when you buy a renters insurance policy. A higher deductible means your claims will cost you less money out of pocket. Typically, renters insurance deductibles are $500 or $1,000, but companies often provide a range of options.

What does renters insurance actually cover? ›

Renters insurance typically covers fire, windstorms, lightning, explosions, theft, and vandalism. Your personal property, personal liability, additional living expenses, and guest medical expenses are usually covered under your renters insurance.

What is the average renters insurance in the US? ›

How Much Does Renters Insurance Cost? Renters insurance costs an average of $157 a year for a policy with $15,000 of personal property coverage. The average cost of renters insurance for a policy with $30,000 is $199 annually, and a $50,000 policy costs an average of $260 a year.

What are the three major parts of a renters insurance policy? ›

Renters insurance has three basic coverage components: personal possessions, liability, and additional living expenses.

Is renter insurance worth it? ›

Renters insurance coverage is almost always worth it. It is much more affordable than other policies, including home or auto insurance, and provides valuable financial protection. Even if you can save enough money to cover unexpected loss, renters insurance may be worthwhile.

Why do landlords want you to have renters insurance? ›

Unlike some other states, California landlords are allowed to require tenants to obtain and maintain renters insurance while they are under the terms of the lease. This is done in part to protect landlords from lawsuits in the event that damage to the property causes it to become uninhabitable.

Which of the following is not covered by renter's insurance? ›

Items not covered with renters insurance include: Personal property loss that exceeds the coverage limits on your renters insurance policy. Liability situations that exceed the limits on your policy. Damages caused to the structure of the building you are renting (which is covered by your landlord's homeowners policy).

Does renters insurance cover clothes? ›

Personal property coverage covers your possessions—including electronics, clothing, and furniture—in case of loss or damage. Your possessions may be covered even if you're away from home when the loss occurs.

Does renters insurance cover moving costs? ›

Unless you're moving to relocate while your rental home is repaired due to a peril covered by your renters insurance policy, the cost of your move is not covered either. Licensed moving companies usually offer coverage for damage while they have your stuff. Third-party moving insurance is also available.

How should a person decide how much coverage she needs when selecting renters insurance? ›

Bottom line: Choose your coverage amount based on how much stuff you have and how much it would cost to replace them. Btw, if you need coverage for your big-ticket items, such as your jewelry or fine art, you'll want to look into our Extra Coverage (also known as scheduled personal property coverage).

Is renters insurance really worth? ›

Renters insurance coverage is almost always worth it. It is much more affordable than other policies, including home or auto insurance, and provides valuable financial protection. Even if you can save enough money to cover unexpected loss, renters insurance may be worthwhile.

What two reasons make getting renters insurance a good idea? ›

Renters insurance protects your belongings from loss, damage, or destruction following things like burglaries, fires, tornadoes and other covered events. Plus, renters insurance also protects your liability (and your money) if someone is injured at your rental home or apartment.

Why do you need renters insurance if you don t own valuable items? ›

A renter's insurance policy protects against losses to your personal property, including clothes, jewelry, luggage, computers, furniture, and electronics. 3 Even if you don't own much, it can quickly add up to a lot more than you realize; and a lot more than you'd want to pay to replace everything.

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