Question: I have a renter’s insurance policy with State Farm. My landlord is requesting that his name be added onto the policy. What’s the best way to add an interested party to renter’s insurance with State Farm?
Answer: Landlords commonly ask to be added to tenants’ renter’s insurance policies as an interested party. The process is simple. You can add an interested party to your State Farm renter’s insurance by calling your agent.
When you contact State Farm, be sure you have your landlord’s information handy, including their:
- First and last name
- Mailing address
- Phone number
You may also be able to add an interested party to your policy through your online account, without calling your agent.
Once your landlord is an interested party on your policy, the insurance provider will notify them if you make any changes to your renter’s insurance coverage, renew your policy or let it lapse. An interested party won’t, however, be able to change your coverage or file claims on your behalf.
An interested party can also be referred to as an “additional interest,” but don’t confuse these terms with an “additional insured.” An interested party doesn’t receive coverage from your policy, just updates. But an additional insured has access to coverage and can file claims. Adding your landlord as an additional insured is not advisable in a tenant-landlord agreement. Many insurance companies won’t even allow it.
What is renter’s insurance?
Renter’s insurance pays for you to replace personal belongings—like your furniture, electronics, and clothing—in the event of a catastrophe or theft. A qualifying accident could be water damage from a leak, a fire, or strong wind. Exact coverage depends on the policy you purchase.
Landlords often require renter’s insurance as part of a lease agreement. But it’s in your best interest to buy a renter’s insurance policy even if you’re not required to do so. Without it, replacing many of your belongings at once could cost thousands of dollars.
Renter’s insurance could also cover you for loss of use. For example, if your apartment caught fire and was no longer habitable, you might need a place to stay while repairs are made. Loss of use coverage could pay for a hotel stay or relocation costs.
It’s a good idea to take an inventory—with photos—of all your personal belongings that are insured under your renter’s insurance policy. This documentation will help in the event you need to file a claim.
Emily Maracle is an insurance writer and licensed insurance agent specializing in car and home insurance content. Emily values collaboration and education within the writing industry, which is why it has become her mission to develop resources that best meet readers\\\\\\\’ needs. As an editor, Emily offers support and feedback to her team members that help enhance content and improve the experience of readers. Since joining the Jerry team, Emily has written and edited over 2,200 articles on car insurance, car ownership, and similar topics. Prior to working for Jerry, Emily earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from the University of British Columbia.
Andrea Richard is a writer and editor with nearly 15 years of experience crafting content for a variety of industries. In writing for Jerry, Andrea’s mission is to deliver relatable and informative content so readers can better understand the costs associated with car ownership and car leasing. A native Floridian and a road trip enthusiast, Andrea first learned to drive on a Honda Accord when CDs were still a thing. She has served on the Society of Professional Journalists Florida board of directors and volunteers as a judge for national journalism contests. Her work has earned several awards for feature writing, investigative reporting and branded content campaigns.
Alice Holbrook is an editor with more than a decade of experience covering personal finance, including car insurance. She\’s passionate about creating easy-to-understand content that demystifies intimidating topics for readers. Previously, she worked for NerdWallet, and her work has been featured by Newsweek, The Washington Post and the Associated Press, among others.
