4 Things Renters Insurance Covers (That You May Not Know)

4 Things Renters Insurance Covers (That You May Not Know)

Renters insurance covers so much more than just the house, apartment or condo you rent. Your renter’s policy can also cover your personal belongings if they are stolen or damaged at your rental unit, or even at someone else’s unit.

Here are 4 things you may not know are covered by your renters policy:

1.  Renters insurance covers personal belongings within your house as well as personal belongings you keep in your car or storage unit.

Renters insurance can cover any of your personal belongings that are stolen or damaged in the house, apartment, condo or dorm you rent as well as personal belongings that may be damaged or stolen from your car, or even a storage unit you use to keep your belongings. Coverage includes fire, lightning, theft and vandalism.

2.  Renters insurance can cover medical payments if someone was injured on the property you are renting.

Your friend falls and cuts his ankle because you forgot to put some salt on the sidewalk after it snowed and expects you to cover the medical expenses – your renters insurance policy will cover that!

Note that medical payments coverage is meant for small claims. Medical payments would cover the medical costs as long as the costs don't exceed the limit, typically $1,000 or $5,000.

3.  If someone sues you for damaging their property, your renters insurance policy can cover lawyer fees and court costs.

Through your renters policy, you can have personal liability coverage which means your lawyer fees and court costs would be covered if you were sued for damaging the property of someone else or an injury on your property that exceeds a small claim.

One common injury that falls under personal liability coverage is a dog bite. It’s estimated that dog bites account for nearly one-third of home insurance liability claims. If you’re a dog owner, don’t assume this situation would never occur or rely on your landlord’s insurance to cover injuries.

4.  Your renters insurance policy can cover hotel and food expenses if the home or apartment you rent is damaged by fire or tornado.

Your apartment is damaged by a fire from the next door neighbor and it’s determined for health and safety reasons you can’t stay there. In addition to replacing your damaged belongings, renters insurance can cover your hotel and food expenses while your place is getting fixed.

Don’t assume your personal property or expenses would be protected by your landlord’s insurance. Making this mistake could leave you at risk of losing your personal belongings and being on the hook for any related bills while your rental unit is uninhabitable.

Questions about what a renters insurance policy covers? Contact Wallace & Turner today to learn more.

Parents: Accidents Happen, Make Sure Your Kids’ Valuables Are Protected

Summer is over and school is back in session which means kids will also be starting up sports and other school-related activities. Did you know that insurance can be important when it comes to covering the tangible part of your kids’ activities?

If you have children in elementary, middle or high school, your homeowner’s policy can be used to protect against many of the items your child was loaned through the school they attend. If your child plays an expensive instrument or if they have a school-assigned laptop, consider consulting with your agent about adding that item to your insurance policy. Otherwise, you’re risking paying for a replacement if the item is lost, stolen or damaged.

For our empty nesters sending their young adults off to college, make sure your child and their possessions will be protected while they are away. Check to see whether your personal homeowner’s policy extends to the contents your child took to school. Protect anything valuable that you would not want to pay out-of-pocket to replace. Accidents happen and, whether you want to believe it or not, an 18-year-old fresh out of high school may not be at the peak level of responsibility.  

Additionally, if your son or daughter is leaving their car behind at home while they’re at college (and it’s more than 100 miles away), don’t forget to advise your agent because there might be a pretty good discount!

If you have coverage questions about your children’s valuables, or what your homeowner’s policy covers, contact Wallace & Turner to discuss.

WT Supports United Way of Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties and Rocking Horse Community Health Center Campaigns

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WT was thrilled to support the United Way of Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties in three ways with this campaign. We raised more than $8,400 dollars and held a coat drive to benefit children at Rocking Horse Community Health Center and donated a gift basket for the 2018 2nd Annual Power of the Purse on February 23, 2018. 

Ferncliff Cemetery, Arboretum and Crematory’s House of Reflections Ribbon Cutting

Ferncliff Cemetery, Arboretum and Crematory’s new House of Reflections ribbon cutting and open house.

#BreastCancerAwareness

Honoring our survivors, fighters, and those who lost the battle. Our own Marcie Ober will be celebrating 7 years cancer-free this December!

Springfield Christian Youth Ministries - Springfield City Schools Biz Ba$ics

Springfield City Biz Basics

Partner P.J. Miller shakes hands with an 8th grader in Springfield Christian Youth Ministries' Springfield City Schools Biz Ba$ics. Kids are applying to be Champion City Scholars this fall. Being accepted will mean two years of free tuition at Clark State Community College after they graduate. The kids told leaders that the "Tour de Biz" was great practice for their scholarship interviews - they got extra points for shaking hands and introducing themselves at each stop.