Renters Insurance

No. Your landlord's insurance covers the structure of the property, as well as any furniture and appliances they provide. But their insurance does not cover your personal belongings, leaving you at financial risk if a burglary, fire, storm, or other disaster, were to strike. 

The law doesn't require that renters buy renters insurance, but your landlord might.

Before shopping for renters insurance, it's a good idea to talk with your landlord about:

• Lease requirements, including whether renters insurance is required and, if so, what amount.
• Details about your dwelling or unit that your insurer may need, such as its total square footage and the type of heating system used.
• What your landlord’s policy does and doesn’t cover, so you can make smart buying decisions.

If your home gets damaged and you need to relocate into temporary housing, you might be covered. As long as the damage was caused by a peril that your policy covers, your loss-of-use coverage will help pay for additional living expenses such as the cost of your hotel and meals.

It depends, though it's recommended that each roommate gets their own policy. While some insurance companies allow roommates to share a policy, it's not recommended because if one roommate has a loss and files a claim, it can drive the other roommate's premiums up in the future.

No. Landlords need landlord insurance, which is specially made for the needs of rental property owners. It protects the structure itself—whether it’s an apartment building, condo, townhome, or house. However, landlord insurance does not cover tenants' belongings. Those are the tenant's responsibility, and why the tenant needs renter's insurance.

Yes and no. Renters insurance covers your personal property against specific perils (listed in your policy) as you're moving. So if thieves take off with some of your belongings during a move, or even steal the entire moving truck, your policy will likely compensate you. You can also file a claim if vandals break your stuff or it gets damaged by fire. If your movers shatter a vase or break your coffee table, however, it's the mover's responsibility, so you'll need to file a claim with the moving company.

Yes, renters insurance covers theft of your belongings both inside and outside of your home. So if someone grabs your laptop from inside your car, or steals your watch while you're on vacation, you can file a claim.