Missouri Renters Insurance

Your Missouri renters insurance will cover property damage and personal liability, but you may need to add more coverage for tornadoes and floods.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The average cost of
Missouri
renters insurance is $150 per year or $12.50 per month. A renters policy offers protection for personal possessions, personal liability coverage, and other benefits. Most renters should consider taking out a policy.
It’s not fun to imagine the destruction of your home. We get it. But to avoid thinking about it means to avoid preparing for it. A renters insurance policy won’t change the future, but it can change your future.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand how Missouri
renters insurance
works, what it covers and doesn’t cover, how to build a policy, and how to find the right company. Set your mind at ease—and save money—by getting
Jerry’s
help to find a policy.
Ready? Here’s a quick guide to renters insurance in Missouri, assembled by the
car insurance
comparison and shopping app Jerry.

What is renters insurance?

Renters insurance is a type of insurance that protects people who are renting to live in their home or apartment. It gives Missouri renters financial protection for personal property. It also offers legal protection if an accident occurs on the premises and a lawsuit results.
Homeowners have a different type of policy that covers the physical building. However, these policies are not intended to cover the renter or their belongings.
A renters insurance policy normally includes the following coverages:
  • Property coverage (Coverage C): This insurance covers the actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost of your belongings if they’re destroyed by a covered peril. 
  • Loss of use coverage (Coverage D): Also known as additional living expenses (ALE) coverage, this part of your policy pays for living expenses, like a hotel room or food delivery, incurred as a result of damage to your property. 
  • Personal liability (Coverage E): If someone else is injured or their property is damaged in your home, your personal liability insurance will cover any amount you’re legally required to pay, including court and attorney fees. 
  • Medical payments (Coverage F): This coverage pays for any medical expenses when someone is injured on your property.
To determine how much coverage you need, start by tallying up the value of all the items that would need to be replaced in a disaster. This list should include your furniture, your electronics, your clothing, and more.
Be aware that landlords can require their tenants to carry a certain level of liability coverage. This portion of your policy covers legal costs if someone sues for an event that occurs on your property (like slipping on an icy walkway).

What does renters insurance cover?

A renters insurance policy does not cover every single incident under the sun. It usually excludes major natural disasters like earthquakes. Personal negligence is normally excluded, too (like if you leave the tap on).
A renters policy only covers the perils that are specifically named. Every company has a different baseline policy, but a typical average renters insurance policy covers:
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Frozen plumbing
  • Windstorm
  • Vandalism
  • Hail
  • Lightning
  • Impact by a vehicle
  • Falling objects
  • Explosion
Policies vary by state and zip code, too. Some areas face an unusually high risk of certain disasters like tornadoes or wildfires. In places with a high risk of a certain peril, a renters policy normally excludes this peril. That’s because it would be incredibly costly for the company to cover all related incidents.
In Missouri, flooding and tornado damage are occasionally excluded. To find out, read a policy closely. If you do not see it listed, then you may need to purchase additional coverage. 

What does renters insurance not cover?

Renters insurance is only intended to cover regularly used personal items in your main residence. Your policy is unlikely to cover these items:
  • Work-related items: Employer-owned technology—and your side hustle paraphernalia—are not normally covered. Professional equipment may require a separate policy for protection.
  • Valuables: Rare and pricey items are usually excluded under a typical renters policy. Your great-grandmother’s sewing machine and your Babe Ruth baseball card probably aren’t covered.
  • Your car: Cars are not covered by a renters insurance policy, even if they are parked on rented property. You will need
    car insurance
    to cover your vehicle.
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Key Takeaway Most renters can benefit from renters insurance, as it offers valuable legal and financial protection in case of a covered disaster for a low monthly fee.

Is renters insurance required in Missouri?

No, renters insurance is not required by law in Missouri. However, a landlord can compel their tenants to carry a renters policy. It could be a condition of your lease to provide proof of a renters insurance policy.
Either way, it’s a wise idea to purchase renters insurance. Otherwise, you would be on the hook for legal costs and replacement costs if something happens. Do you have the money to replace all your furniture and electronics tomorrow?
Missouri renters pay slightly less than the national average for renters insurance. The average annual payment in this state is $150 per year. For only $12.50 per month, you could have a policy that will pay out thousands of dollars in case of a covered incident.
Even if it’s not legally required, all Missouri renters should consider a renters policy. All it takes is a single freak accident to change your life forever—renters insurance is a way to protect yourself.

How to build a Missouri renters insurance policy

Step one is assessment. Go through your home, room by room, and make note of every item that needs insurance. Here is the information that you should write down:
  • Quantity
  • Purchase date
  • Purchase price
  • Brand number
  • Serial number (if available)
In addition to a written description, you should take photographs. When submitting a claim, it’s helpful to provide both pictures and descriptions. This ensures that the insurance company can accurately assess the value of the lost items.
Now, you’re ready to select a personal liability limit. We recommend checking with your landlord to find out whether they require a certain limit. If not, you’re free to select an amount that works for your situation.
Nearly there! The last step is to find out which perils are covered. Missouri residents may wish to look for flood protection and tornado protection. If these perils are not covered in the standard policy, you may wish to purchase separate policies.

Actual cash value vs. replacement cost

Before you sign on the dotted line, you have one more decision to make: Will the policy cover actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost?
Here’s an example to help you understand the difference.
Let’s say you bought a new MacBook for personal use a few years ago for $2,500. Last month, you went on vacation. A winter storm froze the pipes and then they burst. Your MacBook is utterly ruined.
With an ACV policy, you can only claim what your laptop is worth now, minus depreciation. This figure is probably hundreds of dollars less than you originally paid.
With a replacement cost policy, you can claim the full original price to purchase a replacement laptop of comparable quality. Of course, replacement cost policies are more pricey but the coverage is better if you need to protect certain assets. 
The right policy for you will depend on your needs, your stuff, and your financial situation.

How to find cheap renters and car insurance

It’s simple, you need good coverage and a good price. So why does it feel like an epic battle to find a good policy? Insurance can be confusing, but you don’t have to figure it out all by yourself.
Get help finding a policy with
Jerry
. Quickly review rates from top companies. Unlock savings with Jerry’s expert app. Sign up for a policy in seconds. It’s that easy!
Two things are true: The world is an unpredictable place, and you and your stuff need protection. So whether you need
renters insurance
or car insurance (or both), Jerry can help you make sense of it all. The app is free and you’ll be done in a matter of seconds.
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, I just used their app and everything went amazingly well. Super simple for my first time buying.” —Daisy V.
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FAQs

For most renters, yes. Your low monthly fee provides protection from a variety of disasters, in addition to personal liability coverage.
The average rate changes slightly every year, but the average Missouri renter pays about $150 per year for a renters insurance policy. That’s only $12.50 per month! Your policy could be more or less expensive depending on your desired coverage and zip code.
You could save 15% or more on renters insurance by bundling
Bundle your renters and auto insurance with Jerry and save!
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