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1. What is renters insurance?

Renters insurance is insurance that pays you if your personal property is damaged or stolen. Coverage can include losses due to theft, vandalism, windstorms and hail, water damage from plumbing problems (other than sewer backups), fire and smoke, and many other hazards.

2. Why do I need renters insurance?

Most people think they don't own enough or what they do own isn't valuable enough to insure. Once you take an inventory of your personal property, you may be surprised by the total value. These three questions will help you determine your need for renters insurance:

1. How much are my belongings worth?


2. Can I afford to buy it all back again if it is stolen or destroyed in a fire?


3. What would I do in the event of a lawsuit against me?

3. Doesn’t my landlord’s insurance protect my personal property?

No, your landlord's insurance only protects the building, not the personal property of residents. Your landlord's insurance does not protect you from a lawsuit if someone is injured in your home.

4. What does renters insurance cover?

Renters insurance generally covers the cost of replacing:

• Furniture, clothing, bikes, TV/VCR/DVD, stereo, jewelry, appliances, and other assets


• Protection from liability if an accident happens in your home and someone is injured


• If you have to reside somewhere else due to fire or water damage, Loss of Use coverage will pay for additional living expenses so you can maintain your standard of living while repairs are made to your home.

5. What isn't covered?

Normally, anything that involves flooding and sewer backups is not covered. Make sure to ask your insurance agent about what the policy offers, and purchase additional riders or policies if necessary.

6. What are my insurance coverage options?

Insurance premiums can vary greatly between agencies. Many companies have their own method of installment or payment plans, so ask for details regarding premium installments or payments available from the broker or insurance company you are considering for coverage.

7. Who can I call if I have other questions?

If you have additional questions regarding renters insurance, please contact the Kansas Insurance Department at 1-800-432-2484 (in Kansas only) or via email: commissioner@ksinsurance.org.

8. Where do I start?

To determine how much coverage you need, take a room-by-room inventory of your home, and assign a price value to each of your possessions. Your beds, rugs, clothes, electronics and even your microwave are valuable. Shop around for coverage. Go online, talk to your friends, call insurance agencies and compare prices. There are many types of coverage and available discounts, so don't settle for the first policy you find. Choose the best plan for you and your family.

If you are already insured, review the amount of coverage you currently have and how much you need to maximize your security. Ask your landlord or property manager if you qualify for pre-approved discounts with their insurance company.

9. What else should I know?

There are two types of coverage: Actual Cash Value and Replacement Cost Coverage. Actual Cash Value coverage will refund your expenses based on their current value, regardless of the purchase price. Replacement Cost Coverage will pay for what it actually costs you to replace the items you lost. 

A deductible is the amount of money you pay before the insurance company pays you money for any losses; a deductible applies to your personal property coverage. For example, if your deductible is $250, and your computer cost $2,000 to replace, you would receive $1,750 from your insurance company if you have Replacement Cost Coverage. Generally, the higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premium will be. 

Your insurance company or agent can offer advice on how much liability coverage you may need. Shop around for coverage. Most companies' policies provide the same minimum coverage, but many companies will provide extra protection for very little additional cost. No policy covers everything. Read your policy and talk to your agent. Don't wait until you have to file a claim to find out that your coverage is limited or that you're property isn't covered at all.

10. What should I ask my insurance agent?

• Flood/sewer backup coverage


• Contents coverage


• Replacement value coverage


• Living expense coverage


• Liability and theft


• What is not covered


• Deductibles


• Discounts for multiple policies