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When do you need to get renters insurance?

I’m moving into my first apartment next month. I don’t have any expensive stuff, so I’m not sure if I really need to get insurance. When do you need to get renters insurance?

avatar
Bonnie Stinson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Congrats on your upcoming move! All renters should get insurance, even the landlord does not require it.
Renters insurance is affordable (usually between $10 and $20 per month, depending on where you live and how much coverage you need). In exchange for this monthly payment, you get two valuable kinds of protection: property coverage and personal liability.
Even if you have cheap furniture that doesn’t need much protection, you can still benefit from the second type of protection. Personal liability will cover legal costs up to your limit if an accident occurs on your property and someone sues you.
But what about your laptop and your clothing? If an accident destroyed everything you own, could you afford to replace everything out-of-pocket and rebuild your life?
You should get renters insurance if:
  • You do not have the money to replace your belongings if they get damaged
  • You want legal protection in case you get sued due to an accident on your rented property
  • Your landlord requires it as a condition of the lease
Ultimately, you don’t need to get renters insurance unless your state or your landlord requires it—but you’re taking a big risk.
Insurance can be stressful—we get it. If you have any questions about
renters insurance
or even
car insurance
, reach out to
Jerry
. Our friendly agents are just a text or phone call away. The Jerry app is the fastest way to find a cheap policy, too, if you decide to rent somewhere where insurance is required. You can compare rates and sign up for a policy in seconds.
Hope this is helpful!
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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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