If you rent your home and you don’t have renters insurance, you could find yourself in financial hot water if you own a pet. That’s because it’s one of the best protections against pet damage to property and even offers legal protections if you are sued over something like a dog bite. 

How does renters insurance protect you, and what does every pet owner need to know about it? Keep reading to learn about pet damage and rental insurance! 

Does Rental Insurance Cover Pet Damage? 

Renters insurance offers protection against a wide array of events. When it comes to animal damage, rental coverage can protect you in two very specific ways. 

For example, a standard policy offers property damage liability. This doesn’t apply to your personal property, but instead to damage that animals such as a dog may cause. For example, if your dog gets loose and destroys a neighbor’s expertly laid flowerbed or anything else in the yard, this coverage would allow you to pay for the damages. 

Another part of this policy’s liability coverage is that it protects you from injuries that you might be liable for if your pet injures someone else or their pet. If your dog ends up biting someone or biting someone’s pet, you’d be able to pay the medical costs for their treatment. If they still end up taking you to court, your legal costs will then be covered. 

Is There a Difference Between Pet Renters Insurance and Pet Insurance? 

So far, this article has focused on how a renters policy is a must-have for animal owners. However, you may have also heard people use the term “pet insurance,” and it’s important to understand that these two types of coverage are completely different. 

For example, most carriers don’t offer a separate type of renter’s coverage for animal owners; at most, they may refuse to cover certain breeds or require you to get an extra rider for certain breeds. Otherwise, though, pet liability coverage is just a regular part of your renter’s policy. 

Conversely, “pet insurance” is a specialized health policy that can help with your animal’s medical costs. It’s a great way to minimize things like veterinary bills and prescription medication costs, but it offers no protections to you as a renter. 

FAQ on Pets & Rental Insurance 

Here are some common questions and answers for those who are renting and who own a pet. With the following info, you can keep yourself protected! 

Can a Landlord Require Pet Insurance as Part of the Rental Agreement?

Landlords can never require you to get health coverage for your pet. However, in most states, landlords are within their rights to require that their tenants have renters insurance before they lease out a property. 

Are Certain Dog Breeds Excluded From Pet Liability Coverage Under Renters Insurance?

Some carriers may exclude certain breeds, including pit bulls and Rottweilers. In some cases, you might have to sign a waiver exempting the carrier from responsibility for damage caused by these breeds, both for rental coverage as well as homeowners insurance. 

Does Renters Insurance Cover Pet Theft? 

Sadly, renters insurance typically doesn’t cover the theft of your animal. Neither does pet health coverage, although some plans offer free help trying to recover a lost pet. 

Get the Best Renters Insurance Today! 

Now you know why renters insurance is so important if you own an animal. But do you know where you can get the kind of coverage you and your fuzzy friend deserve? 

Here at InsureOne, we know that nobody loves you like your pet. If you’re ready to love them back with insurance that protects you both, we’re always ready for you to get a quote online. Of course, you can pick up the phone and give us a quick call at 800-836-2240. Finally, feel free to come into one of our convenient nearby offices as soon as you’d like! 

That’s the case for all of us because burglars could strike at any time. Of course, many people skip out on renter’s insurance because they think this could never happen to them. Or perhaps they think it’s cheaper in the long run to replace what was stolen rather than pay a monthly premium. 

Sadly, both of these assumptions are completely wrong. Don’t believe it? Keep reading to discover four burglary statistics that prove why you need renter’s insurance! 

1. Over One Million Burglaries Happen Each Year 

Many people think that the odds of home burglary are very low. In fact, you might think that it’s something that you only see in movies and television shows. In reality though, the odds of home robbery are much higher than you might think. 

Over one million home burglaries happen annually in the United States. It could easily happen to you and, if it does, you could lose some of your most precious items in a matter of minutes. If you have renter’s insurance, replacing those items is as easy as calling your carrier. 

2. 140 Burglaries Happen Every Hour 

Even when you realize that over one million burglaries happen each year, it’s hard to wrap your mind around how common it really is (especially around the holidays). In fact, would you believe that by the time you finish reading this short paragraph, at least one robbery has occurred? 

Statistics report that one home in America is robbed every 25.7 seconds. Add that up and you’ll realize that 140 burglaries happen every hour of the day. Unless you have the right insurance coverage, you might not be able to replace your belongings if your own house becomes another statistic. 

3. A Burglar Only Needs 10 Minutes 

How long do you think the average burglary actually takes? Many people think that such household theft would take so long that the robbers are likely to get caught in the act. Sadly, this is the exact opposite of the truth. 

Factually, the average burglary only lasts between eight to 10 minutes. This means that a thief might be able to get what they are looking for while you are walking the dog, grabbing some takeout, or even taking your child to school. It could take years to restore what these thieves ruin in only minutes unless you have renter’s insurance in your corner. 

4. 25% of Burglaries Happen During the Day 

Pop quiz: when do you think most home burglaries actually happen? Most people assume that they happen at night, and this is largely true. 75% of burglaries happen during the evening. This is why so many people turn on the lights and leave the television set on when they leave the house; it gives the impression that the home is occupied and, therefore, more difficult to rob. 

However, it’s worth considering that a quarter of those home robberies (again, over one million per year) happen during daylight hours. To put it bluntly, your home just isn’t as safe as you probably thought it was, and it can be a target of thieves at all hours of the day. That’s the bad news; the good news is that with the right renter’s insurance, you can give your home and your most prized possessions the protection they deserve. 

Protect Yourself from Burglary with the Best Renter’s Insurance 

Now you know why you need renter’s insurance. But do you know where you can get the best coverage at the lowest prices? At InsureOne, we do the shopping for you so you save time and money. Our options include top-rated carriers so you’ll get the white-glove and customizable options you need. 

InsureOne specializes in protecting renters just like you from the unexpected. If you’re ready to give yourself both protection and peace of mind, you can always get a quote online. Of course, you can also pick up the phone and give InsureOne a quick call at 800-836-2240. Finally, you’re always free to come into one of its nearby offices at your earliest convenience! 

Don’t believe it? Here are the main reasons you need renters insurance for your first apartment.

1. Protect Your Stuff at a Low Cost

One reason first-time renters often hold off on renters insurance is simple: they think they can’t afford it. But in many cases, it would be more accurate to say that first-time renters can’t afford to avoid this insurance.

For example, you can get a good renters insurance policy for $200 or less per year. This means effectively adding just a little more than $16 to your monthly rent. In exchange, you can get thousands of dollars of protection for your possessions and even protect yourself against costly lawsuits.

Long story short? You can protect yourself and the most important possessions in your home for the cost of a few trips to Starbucks. And that expense is most definitely worth it!

2. Better Options for Future Apartments

As we noted earlier, most first-time renters skip out on renters insurance unless their landlords require it. But did you know that getting it now might help you get a better apartment later on? This is because the policy effectively follows you and not your apartment. If you take out a policy now, for example, you will still have it when your current lease is up.

Why is this important? While your current landlord may not require renters insurance, other landlords will. If you already have this coverage when your current policy is up, you will have plenty more apartments to choose from than you otherwise would.

3. Important Liability Protection

Most tenants only think about renters insurance in terms of protecting their property. And while this is an important feature, you should also know that this coverage can protect you from unexpected lawsuits!

As you may or may not know, you could be legally liable if someone is hurt on your property. This includes if you directly hurt them, but it also covers injuries caused by something that is your fault (for example, slipping on a wet floor after you mop).

If this is your first time renting a home, you may not know about the different things you are doing that could put others in danger. And if someone is injured, you might have to pay serious money to defend yourselves even if the court decides in your favor. But renters insurance can help pay up to $100,000 of your legal costs and even help pay for the medical bills of the injured party.

4. Your Home Will Be More Pet-Friendly

If you are getting a pet or already have one, then take it from us: you need to buy renters insurance. That is because your pet may be a liability problem waiting to happen.

All it takes is your dog biting a guest for that guest to take you to court. And these claims average $35,000 per case. But so long as you have the liability protection of renters insurance, you can have a dog in your home with complete peace of mind.

5. You’ll Always Have Somewhere to Stay

The best part about moving out on your own is the freedom. And once you get a taste of that freedom, the last thing you’ll want is to move back in with parents, siblings, or roommates. However, that can easily happen in the event of catastrophic damage.

All it takes is an unexpected fire or hail storm to make sure you can’t possibly stay in your home anymore. Normally, you’d be forced to stay with friends and family when this happens or pay a considerable sum for a hotel. But renters insurance will cover the costs and certain living expenses for you to stay somewhere else temporarily. On top of that, your policy can help repair or replace the covered items that were damaged in your home.

6. Protection Against Unknown Problems

So far, we have focused on the kinds of dangers a first-time renter can expect protection from with renters insurance. But keep in mind that the entire point of insurance is to help protect you and your home from threats you didn’t see coming.

For example, nobody expects they will have to deal with theft or vandalism before it happens. Or that they will have to deal with damage from falling trees, crashing cars, or snow damage. But these things happen to countless renters each year.

With renters insurance, you can rest assured that you are protected against the unknown. And you can stop worrying about what could go wrong and start enjoying the rest of your time in your brand-new apartment!

Get the Best Renters Insurance for You Today

Now you know why all first-time renters need renters insurance. But do you know where you can find the very best policy?

At InsureOne, we make it very easy for you to get a quote online for the renters insurance you deserve. Alternatively, you can grab the phone and give us a call at (800) 836-2240. Finally, feel free to come into one of our convenient nearby offices today!

But how much renters insurance coverage do you need? Use the following guide to help you calculate the perfect amount of coverage for you.

1. Add Up Your Possessions

The best tip for knowing how much renters insurance you need is to think about the value of your possessions. This can vary greatly between individuals, so figuring out the exact worth of your property can go a long way in knowing how much coverage to buy.

Renters insurance covers a wide range of items, including things like:

• Appliances
• Dishes
• Clothing
• Furniture
• Electronics
• Jewelry
• Media
• Tools
• Sports equipment

Since this is a long list of things, you probably don’t know offhand the value of everything. That’s why you’ll need to take some time to categorize your possessions before choosing your policy. Once you have that total, it makes sense to buy a policy around that number. This may seem like an arduous process, but we recommend the following steps to make it a little easier.

• Go room by room. Don’t try to add up the value of everything at once! It will make your head spin. Instead, go room by room so you can stay focused. Look for any major items that could be of worth.
• Make a list. This should go without saying, but make a list of all the items you find. This will make it far easier to keep track of everything. When you do this, also write down the price you paid for the items and when you purchased them. This can simplify your life if you do ever need to make a claim.
• Take pictures and video. While this can help during the calculation process by giving you visual records to refer to, it’s also helpful if you ever need to make a claim. Having photos of everything can show the insurance company the condition of your items prior to the accident.
• Find your total. Once you’ve written down the value of everything, now’s the time to whip up your calculator. Add up everything, and you should have a rough total of the value of your items.

2. Does Your Insurance Company Use Actual Cash or Replacement Cost Value?

While the retail value of your possessions might seem high, keep in mind this isn’t necessarily the value you’ll receive from a claim. If an insurance company uses the actual cash value method, they’ll consider depreciation, especially if you bought something several years ago. This is particularly a problem with electronics, which can lose their value quickly due to new innovations every few months. Instead of receiving what you paid for an item originally, you’ll receive the item’s current value.

If you know your insurance company uses this method, then you may not need as much coverage as you think. For example, if you have a five-year-old laptop that costs $2,000 new, it may only be worth $500 now. That means you can trim $1,500 off your possession value total and reduce your coverage by that amount.

That said, if your insurance company uses the replacement cost value method, it means you’ll get the full original cost of the item back. Using the example above, you’d get the full $2,000 back, as long as your coverage limit is high enough. In that case, you’d want to keep that higher coverage in place.

3. Do You Need a Floater?

While a renters insurance policy does cover things like jewelry and electronics, this is usually only up to a certain amount. This is especially true if your items are stolen. The average policy only has a low liability limit for theft of just $1,500. This means if someone breaks in and cleans out your jewelry cabinet filled with expensive pieces, you won’t get the full value back. Even if your items aren’t stolen, many policies limit how much they pay out for individual items. So even if you have $30,000 in personal property coverage, you might be limited to $2,000 per item, which might not be enough for a diamond ring or expensive computer.

Floaters are a way to ensure you get full reimbursement for particularly expensive items. You pay to add on extra coverage just for these specific items. They add a little extra peace of mind if you have one or two items that have a higher value than the rest of your possessions.

4. Think About How Often You Have Guests Over

Renters insurance isn’t all about protecting your personal possessions. It’s also about protecting others when they visit your home. Liability coverage foots the bill for expenses if someone tries to sue you after getting injured on your property. As an example, if they slip and fall on your porch because you didn’t salt it after a snowstorm, you could be responsible for paying for their medical bills. Liability insurance would cover this, so you don’t have to worry.

While it’s great to have this coverage, you should think about how often you have guests over. If you’re a frequent entertainer, having high liability coverage in your renters’ insurance is a good idea. That way, you can have peace of mind whenever you gave guests over. However, if you don’t usually have people at your home, you may consider going a little lower with this coverage.

Usually, an average policy has around $100,000 in liability protection. You’d only want to go higher or lower than this if you consider yourself a social butterfly or a homebody, respectively.

5. Follow the Guidelines From Your Landlord

When you sign the lease for your new place, it’s common for your landlord to put in certain stipulations about renters insurance. This is to protect them in case you cause damage to the property. It also protects them from having to pay for your damages if a fire or other disaster destroys the building and your personal property.

Usually, landlords don’t specify a specific amount of coverage — they just want you to have a policy. However, if they do stipulate a certain coverage amount, you’ll need to get this at a minimum, so you don’t break the terms of the lease.

6. Consider the Average Renters Insurance Amounts

The average renters’ insurance premium cost varies greatly between states, but nationally, it was $179 a year in 2018. When calculating your own policy, you should keep that amount in mind.

Having a higher level of coverage will cause the premium to go up. But you don’t want to go too low with your coverage just to save a few dollars. Keep in mind, the average property damage and liability claim amount between 2014 and 2018 was $13,814. That’s just an average — for bigger events like fire and lightning, the cost of a claim could be as high as $79,000. So you may want to take these numbers into account when planning your insurance coverage amounts.

7. Think About the Size of Your Emergency Fund

Everyone should have an emergency fund they contribute to on a regular basis. This fund is important because it protects you in unexpected circumstances. For example, if you get into a car accident and need to pay for repairs, this money can be there as a cushion.

If you have a robust emergency fund, you may be able to get away with less renters’ insurance coverage. That said, don’t rely entirely on your emergency fund to foot the bill if you ever suffer property loss. While that would qualify as an emergency, it’s something that insurance could cover for you. It’s better to save that money for true emergencies where you need fast cash.

Find Affordable Renters Insurance Coverage From InsureOne

No matter what size policy you’re thinking about for renters insurance, InsureOne is here to help. Get your free quote today to see just how affordable our renters’ insurance really is.

These days, it’s easy to get renters insurance quotes for insurance right from your mobile device or computer. Gone are the days when you needed to visit an insurance office or make endless phone calls to get quotes. Buying insurance online takes a few clicks!

New to renters insurance? No worries, we can help you get the best renters insurance quote with our tips below.

1. Gather the Info You Need to Get a Quote for Renters Insurance

Other than the standard info like your name, email address, and date of birth, you’ll need to know further details such as:

• Coverage start date
• The address of your rental home 
• The number of people living in the rental
• How much your personal property is worth
• Your insurance claims history
• The amount of deductible you want
• Inventory of locks, fire extinguishers, and smoke alarms
• Do you need increased coverage limits for valuable possessions?

2. Get Quotes from Multiple Companies

When it comes to renters insurance, it pays to shop around. According to the Insurance Information Institute, you should get at least three quotes from different companies. This will help you find the cheapest renters insurance rates for your needs. And don’t just compare prices for renter insurance – things like the type of coverage and reputation matter too.

3. Understand the Factors that Affect Renters Insurance Prices

The cost of renters insurance depends on factors like the state you live in, what deductible you want to pay, the coverage limits, and any discounts available to you (such as senior discounts).

4. Know About the Basic Type of Renters Insurance

There are three different types of coverage in a renters insurance policy:

Personal Property coverage. This coverage protects your personal property if it gets damaged from perils such as fire, theft, water, and other disasters.

Liability coverage. In a nutshell, this type of coverage helps cover expenses if someone sues for damages or medical bills if you’re held legally responsible for them.

Loss-of-Use coverage. Also called additional living expenses coverage, this helps pay for expenses if your rental home becomes uninhabitable and you have to relocate. It pays for hotels, meals, and other living expenses.

5. Explore Other Ways to Save on Renters Insurance

Besides quote comparison, there are other ways to save on your renters insurance policy. You can choose a higher deductible but remember that this will make your out-of-pocket expenses go up in case of a claim. You can also choose to bundle your car insurance and renters insurance policies from the same renters insurance agency. 

Additionally, installing security and safety devices can make your cost go down. Finally, have a good credit rating, and look for senior discounts if you’re a senior.

6. Compare Renters Insurance Online

Are you looking to compare renters insurance quotes online? InsureOne can do it for you! Our dedicated team compares renters insurance from top companies to get you the coverage you need at an affordable price. Get your free home insurance quote online, over the phone, or at one of our offices near you.

If this sounds impossible, our tips for renters below will help you have a good relationship with your landlord and protect yourself as well as your belongings. 

1. How to Be a Good Tenant

So, what makes a good renter? Well, it’s more than just paying your rent on time. When you have a good relationship with your landlord, it’s easier to work with them and have a long-term arrangement that benefits both parties.

• Maintain a good record. Having a good rental history can help you get repairs done on time and even lower your rental rate when renewing your lease.
• Communicate clearly. Keeping your landlord in the loop about necessary rental details is one of the most important tips for renters. Remember, your landlord is not a mind reader. If your rental needs repairs or other issues such as financial problems, communication is key. 
• Leave the property in the same condition. When you’re moving out, the rental should be in the same condition as when you moved in. Otherwise, you could be charged for cleaning expenses and more. Plus, you’ll lose a possible rental reference.

2. Read Your Lease

Before you sign your rental agreement, make sure you read it thoroughly. More than that, you need to understand it fully. The terms and conditions can only be changed by mutual agreement of the landlord and tenant. 

3. Document All Communication

As mentioned before, communication is essential to maintain a good landlord-tenant relationship. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of all of it with your landlord. This can save you a lot of trouble if problems arise, and you need proof that you paid rent, requested repairs, etc.

4. How Do You Deal With Difficult Landlords?

We choose our home for renters, but unfortunately, you don’t get to choose your landlord. No matter how sour the relationship, you must work with your landlord the minute you signed your lease. That being said, you do have certain rights while you’re paying to live on their property.

5. What Are Your Rights As a Tenant?

One of your fundamental tenant rights is privacy. Others include a safe, habitable home, as well as accommodations if you’re disabled. You also have a right to your security deposit if no damages or past rents are pending.

6. How Can Renters Protect Themselves? 

Getting renters insurance is a big step in protecting yourself. This type of insurance isn’t mandatory by states, so it’s very under-utilized. The fact is that with so many surrounding neighbors, anything can happen—damages from things like fires are out of your control. That’s why it’s so important for renters to protect themselves with renters insurance.

InsureOne can provide you several coverage options that will fit your needs and your budget. Get a free renters insurance quote online, call us today, or visit one of our offices near you to get affordable coverage.

Does My Home Insurance Cover My Dog?

A standard homeowner’s insurance policy offers coverage for injuries caused by most dogs under the personal liability and the “medical payments to others” provisions of your policy. A homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover your injuries or your family member’s injuries.

It only pays for injuries to others. It is liability insurance, so if your dog damages your home or property, that also may not be covered. But if your dog damages someone else’s property, like a neighbor’s, then your insurance may cover it. 

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Pitbulls?

Some insurance companies will not cover Pitbulls or other dogs that may be labeled as dangerous breeds.

Dog Breeds Insurance Blacklist

So what are the dog breeds that are on the insurance blacklist, and why? Certain dog breeds are responsible for a high number of dog bite claims, and because dog bites are so prevalent, insurance companies do everything possible to limit their risk. That can include excluding certain dog breeds from coverage. The list may vary slightly, depending on the carrier, but the following breeds of dog are generally considered high-risk:

• Pit Bulls
• Alaskan Malamutes
• German Shepherds
• Akitas
• Staffordshire Terriers
• Chows
• Doberman Pinschers
• Great Danes
• Siberian Huskies
• Rottweilers
• Presa Canarios
• Wolf hybrids

Pit bulls, Rottweilers, and wolf hybrids are more likely to have a severe restriction or be prohibited altogether. 

Is it Legal for Insurance Companies to Deny or Cancel Insurance Coverage Because of the Type of Dog You Have?

Yes. The law does not prohibit insurance companies from discriminating based on breed.

What Can You Do If Your Dog is on the Blacklist?

If you are having trouble securing homeowners insurance because you have a dog breed on the blacklist, don’t give up. Not all insurance companies will discriminate based on the type of dog you own. Finding homeowner’s insurance that will cover your pet will require a lot of research.

Fortunately, InsureOne does this research for you. We work with the major insurance companies in the country and can compare quotes from all of them for you. We can find an insurance company that can cover your home and your dog. 

State Dog Breed Restrictions

Breed-specific legislation, also known as BSL, is a law that bans or restricts certain types of dogs based on their breed to decrease dog attacks on humans and other animals. A majority of the states in the U.S. either have BSL or allow BSL in some form. If you think your state has a BSL, you can search online to learn more.

How Much Coverage Will I Need?

Your homeowner’s policy has a liability limit that will cover up to a certain amount. Your liability limit is the amount available to cover anything from a dog bite to your guest falling down the stairs. To calculate the amount of coverage you need, think about how much it may cost for medical or legal expenses. Since medical expenses alone can be six figures, it’s best to go as high as you can comfortably afford.  

If you want to make sure you have adequate coverage, consider purchasing an umbrella policy. This is an added layer of protection that provides a higher level of coverage to protect you from unexpected incidents with your dog.

Free Homeowners Insurance Quote

InsureOne provides quality homeowners insurance and townhouse insurance. We provide coverage that protects you, your family, and your pets. Call 800-836-2240 to speak to an experienced agent who can help you find the coverage that best suits your needs. Don’t have time for a phone call? Get your free homeowner’s insurance quote online.

Your landlord can hold on to all or part of your security deposit for a number of reasons – some valid, some not. That’s why it’s important to familiarize yourself with your lease agreement and the specifics of your state’s regulations with regards to renters’ rights and landlord responsibilities. Knowing the facts might keep the security deposit from turning into a heated dispute and improve your chances of getting it back.

While it isn’t required, depending on the condition of the apartment you’re moving into, it may be a good idea to point out existing damage to the landlord or leasing office prior to moving into it and take photos, if necessary, to keep a visual record of cracked windows, broken tile, stained or chipped sinks, as well as torn carpeting to prove you weren’t the cause of the problem items. Create a checklist if the landlord doesn’t provide you with one. List all visible damage, make a copy, sign them both…and give one of the copies to the landlord to place in your tenant file.

Another way to avoid losing your security deposit is by following the terms of your rental agreement. If you’re agreement specifies a 30 days’ “intent to vacate” written notice before moving out, then do so. Failure to abide with this requirement will more than likely cost you part or all of your security deposit…and, the landlord will be well within his rights to do it.

So, don’t make it easy for your landlord to withhold your security deposit. If you were provided with multiple keys, garage door remotes or any other item belonging to the property owner…return them or you could be liable for replacement costs, which will be directly deducted from your deposit.

Because a substantial amount of money is usually at risk with a security deposit, avoid using the excuse that you’re too busy to do a final walk-through of your rental unit. Request it ahead of time so your landlord can see, with you present, that you’re leaving your apartment in the same state it was in when it was first rented out to you. Allowing for what is considered regular wear and tear, empty it of all your belongings, clean as much as you can, and run a vacuum over the carpeting. Then, do the walk-through.

If, for some reason, you can’t be present or the landlord declines to join you in the walk-through, you run the risk of possibly being held accountable for things you aren’t responsible for. In such a case, once you have vacated the premises and have left your unit in good shape, take more pictures. This can contradict any negative report or assessment your landlord may come up with, making you more likely to get your security deposit back.

Finally, don’t forget to leave your forwarding address so your landlord has someplace to send your check, which should arrive by mail in 30 to 60 days. After all, you can use the money to pay for renters insurance at your new place.

When you do, make sure you’re getting the best rate on your renters insurance. Why not get a free renters insurance quote today?

Have you had a difficult time getting your security deposit back? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.