Renter’s Insurance
If you rent an apartment you might not know that renter’s insurance is not really an option–it should be mandatory for you. Your landlord’s insurance covers the building; not what is inside your apartment.
There are policies that:
- Protect your private property from fire, theft and vandalism
- Give you liability coverage in case someone is hurt inside your apartment
- Are flexible to your needs
The HO-4 policy is designed for renters, while the HO-6 policy is for condo owners. Both HO-4 and HO-6 cover losses to your personal property from 17 types of perils:
- Fire or lightning
- Windstorm or hail
- Explosion
- Riot or civil commotion
- Aircraft
- Vehicles
- Smoke
- Vandalism or malicious mischief
- Theft
- Damage by glass or safety-glazing material that is part of a building
- Volcanic eruption
- Falling objects
- Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
- Water-related damage from home utilities
- Electrical surge damage.
Some definitions from wikipedia on types of renter’s/homeowner’s insurance:
- HO-1
- A limited policy that offers varying degrees of coverage but only for items specifically outlined in the policy. These might be used to cover a valuable object found in the home, such as a painting.
- HO-2
- Similar to HO-1, HO-2 is a limited policy in that it covers specific portions of a house against damage. The coverage is usually a “named perils” policy, which lists the events that would be covered. As above, these factors must be spelled out in the policy.
- HO-3
- This policy is the most common written for a homeowner and is designed to cover all aspects of the home, structure and it contents as well as any liability that may arise from daily use as well as any visitors who may encounter accident or injury on the premises. Covered aspects as well as limits of liability must be clearly spelled out in the policy to insure proper coverage. The coverage is usually called “all risk”. Also called an “open perils” policy.
- HO-4
- This is commonly referred to as renters insurance or renter’s coverage. Similar to HO-6, this policy covers those aspects of the apartment and its contents not specifically covered in the blanket policy written for the complex. This policy can also cover liabilities arising from accidents and intentional injuries for guests as well as passers-by up to 150′ of the domicile.
- HO-5
- This policy, similar to HO-3, covers a home (not a condo or apartment), the homeowner and its possessions as well as any liability that might arise from visitors or passers-by. This coverage is differentiated in that it covers a wider breadth and depth of incidents and losses than an HO-3.
- HO-6
- As a form of supplemental homeowner’s insurance, HO-6, also known as a Condominium Coverage, is designed especially for the owners of condos. It includes coverage for the part of the building owned by the insured and for the property housed therein of the insured. Designed to span the gap between what the homeowner’s association might cover in a blanket policy written for an entire neighborhood and those items of importance to the insured, typically the HO-6 covers liability for residents and guests of the insured in addition to personal property. The liability coverage, depending on the underwriter, premium paid, and other factors of the policy, can cover incidents up to 150′ from the insured property, all valuables within the home from theft, fire or water damage or other forms of loss. It is important to read the Associations By-laws to determine the total amount of insurance needed on your dwelling.
- HO-7
- For mobile home owners.
- HO-8
- It is usually called “older home” insurance. It lets house owners with higher replacement cost than the market value insure them at the lower market value rate.
Keep in mind if you have car insurance and renter’s insurance with the same carrier you will get a discount.
Written by mike on June 30th, 2006 with 2 comments.
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