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Can a tenant make a claim on a landlord’s insurance?

I lost everything in my apartment after it burned down. My landlord said he didn’t have insurance. Can a tenant make a claim on a landlord’s insurance?

avatar
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m so sorry to hear about the fire! I know losing everything is incredibly difficult, so I hope you’re okay.
While fire is one of the
16 covered perils
in home and renters insurance, you’d need a policy to file a claim. Even if your landlord does have a policy, most insurance companies won’t let you file a claim on your landlord’s insurance.
Your landlord’s insurance only covers their property, so the building, apartments, and anything they own inside of it. Your belongings aren’t covered by their policy, which is why many landlords require tenants to carry
renters insurance
.
If you have a renters insurance policy, you could submit a claim for everything you lost up to your policy’s limits. If you don’t have a policy, you wouldn’t have coverage.
That said, it is your landlord’s responsibility to maintain the building. If the fire occurred due to negligence on their part or lack of maintenance, you may be able to take legal action against them. If you’re interested in pursuing this option, reach out to a lawyer specializing in insurance claims. Most offer free consultations giving you a better idea of your options.
If you’re looking for a new insurance company or want to get renters insurance for the future,
Jerry
can provide you with competitive quotes in under a minute. Swapping is just as effortless. To save even more money, Jerry can help you bundle your home and auto policies for maximum savings!
I wish you the best of luck!
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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