Just like a homeowner needs home insurance for their property, those who rent or lease also need insurance coverage to help protect theirs. If you’re moving into a multi-family home, knowing your policy options is an essential part of the process. At Muller Insurance, we serve people in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and other states. We specialize in multi-family property coverage. Here, we’ll detail some of the things you should know about renters’ insurance for your big move.
Rental Insurance: A Quick Breakdown
As the name indicates, renters’ insurance is specially designed to cover the tenant – not the landlord. A landlord holds a separate policy for the home that covers the building itself. It’s up to the renter to purchase a product solution that protects what’s inside the home. If you’re living with a roommate, many policies won’t cover their possessions in addition to yours, so it’s up to each individual to receive coverage.
A rental policy is highly valuable for tenants and can help prevent accidents and unforeseen circumstances from breaking the bank. Generally, this insurance policy helps protect your belongings in the event of a fire or storm, as well as burglary. This typically includes the following items specifically owned by the renter:
- Electronics and devices
- Furniture
- Clothing
- Shoes
- Kitchen equipment
- Home goods
- Sports gear and hobby items
- Appliances
If the home is destroyed or becomes temporarily inhabitable, this coverage can help you pay for living expenses should you need to relocate until the repairs are complete. However, a rental policy also protects against accidents and injuries involving guests. If a visitor is injured on the property, your rental liability coverage pays for their medical care and mitigates litigation costs.
Some types of coverage offer protection against the expenses associated with identity theft and the damage that occurs after plumbing backups. If you own a pet, it’s also a good idea to look into a policy that can help cover liability in the event that your pet bites someone and you get sued.
What Other Insurance Might I Need?
A rental insurance policy can be flexible and meet your unique situation, but it has certain limits. Depending on where your property is located and whether the area is at greater risk, renters can invest in solutions that enhance their level of coverage. This includes policies for the following:
- Flood and earthquake damage: If you’re renting a multi-family home that is in a flood zone or at risk for earthquake damage, this type of insurance can be a valuable coverage to purchase as a separate policy. Many policies will have limited flood coverage or no flood coverage for your contents if you live in a basement.
- Jewelry, fine art, and collectibles: How will you replace expensive valuables that are outside the limits of the average rental policy? This add-on product helps protect the high-end items you own in your multi-family home.
- Umbrella coverage: If lawsuits are a concern, umbrella insurance can help. It acts as an extension of your primary liability coverage.
While the options may seem overwhelming at first, finding the right rental policy – or combination of policies – can bring more than just peace of mind. And evaluating the solutions that are ideal for you and your property is much easier when you work with an experienced insurance agent.
The Advantages of Working with an Independent Agent
Before moving into a multi-family home, there are several considerations to assess as far as which insurance policies are right for you, but a professional can help. An independent agent who represents several insurance companies has your interests at heart. After discussing your living situation and concerns, they can walk you through the product solutions that can provide the best coverage for your needs.
In business for over 100 years, Muller Insurance believes that there is no single, standard solution for everyone. Our team’s experience extends to multi-family properties, and we can tailor each insurance product to help ensure an ideal fit for our clients’ situations. Offering exceptional customer service, our team speaks Spanish, French, Urdu, Arabic, and English and serves clients in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and other states across the country. For more information about purchasing rental insurance for a multi-family home, contact us today.
