Should I Buy Florida Renters Insurance?
A question frequently asked by renters is whether or not they should buy Florida renters insurance. This article will help readers understand what Florida renters insurance covers and how to get the best value for a policy.
Because The Unexpected Happens
Someone accidentally leaves the water running. Furthermore, a cousin drops something sharp on a leather couch. Moreover, the apartment is broken into and vandalized in a worst-case scenario. It does not take much for anyone to need to replace a valuable item or item. That is where Florida renters insurance comes in. Renters have it to compensate for damaged or lost property. However, this policy can affect how much they will pay out of pocket to replace certain items.
However, the facts say that less than half of all renters have policies, compared to over 95% of homeowners. The reasons are many, but they boil down to two camps. One is that they do not own “enough” or that what they have is not valuable. However, the possessions have an absolute value at a certain point, and renters must become serious about protecting them. The other thought is that the landlord will be responsible for damage to any personal property. Nevertheless, the fact is that the property manager is only responsible for a small fraction of damage that can occur in an apartment. As a result, many landlords require tenants to have a policy.
Determine How Much Florida Renters Insurance You Will Need
Renting differs from homeowner’s insurance, which uses the purchase price as a starting point. Renters will want to ensure they have enough insurance to cover the total value of anything they want to insure. It is a good idea to photograph or video the apartment so that everyone can have a record of the items. The insurer will want to prove that the renter owns what they are insuring. Also, remember that Florida renters insurance provides a general level of compensation.
Another thing to consider is if they want a policy covering replacement costs or actual cash value. For example, if a couch is ten years old, the price of a new sofa would greatly outweigh the depreciation. So they will want to ensure the policy covers the replacement cost. That same logic applies to items such as engagement rings (and other jewelry), expensive electronics, artwork, or collectibles. So again, renters want to ensure the policy covers these items. A common practice for these is getting a separate rider to a policy. Furthermore, policies cap many standard procedures at a certain level (typically around $1,000).
Be Sure You Know What Is Covered
Insurance will cover them for different perils. A peril is an event that can cause loss or damage to property.
The “named” perils in your renters’ policy may include the following:
- Fire or lightning
- Damage from high winds
- Smoke damage
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Water Damage (Accidental Discharge)
First, make sure they understand what threats are covered. For example, they will want to ensure the policy covers fire and flood damage. Storm damage is also a good idea, as lightning strikes can easily damage a television or computer.
Another thing that a renters’ policy includes is liability protection. In a society that looks for any reason to sue them, they must consider what would happen if someone injured themselves on the property. Would the renter be able to pay legal fees? Again, renters’ insurance can help with that.
It can also help with medical payment coverage. For example, this would cover guests who do not live there, but the guest injures themself on the property.
How Do Shoppers Get The Best Price On Florida Renters Insurance?
One of the best places to shop for Florida renters insurance is through the auto insurance agency. Bundling policies will generally result in a better price for both. Another area where they can increase savings is by increasing the size of the deductible. A deductible is an upfront cost paid before the insurance company starts to pay for losses. A high deductible will leave renters with more responsibility to cover any losses. However, that is when they have to remember that insurance is protection against what may happen, not what will happen. Insurance companies will be happy if they agree to share that risk.