Renters Insurance Claims

If there's a break-in at your rented home, you suffer personal property damage, or someone gets injured at your home, you may be able to receive compensation for your losses by filing a renters insurance claim. By preparing ahead of time, you can increase your likelihood of receiving your claim payment quickly and easily. Knowing when and how to file renters insurance claims can help ensure a smooth and efficient claims process that ends with you receiving the reimbursement you're entitled to.

Working with an independent insurance agent can also simplify the renters insurance claims process. Not only can a local agent help you get set up with all the renters insurance you need, but they can also file claims directly for you. But first, here's a guide to the renters insurance claims process.

The Most Common Renters Insurance Claims

Renters insurance covers many different causes of loss, including damage, theft, or destruction of your personal property. A renters insurance policy can also protect you from a liability coverage standpoint if a third party sues you for a claim of personal property damage or bodily injury. 

Here are the most common claims that can be covered by renters insurance:

• Fire damage: If a fire damages or destroys your personal property, your renters insurance policy will most likely pay to repair or replace affected items. 
• Theft and vandalism: If someone breaks into or vandalizes your apartment or rental unit and steals, damages, or destroys your personal belongings, your renters insurance policy will most likely compensate you for related losses. 
• Water damage: If a neighbor fails to address a plumbing issue in their home and water leaks into yours, your renters insurance policy will likely reimburse you for damage to your personal property. However, understand that renters insurance only covers certain types of water damage, such as that caused by burst or leaking pipes, but not from natural flooding.
• Liability: If a friend, family member, guest, or another third party visits your rented home and suffers a bodily injury or damage or destruction to their personal property, your renters insurance can provide compensation to repair or replace their damaged or destroyed items, to cover their medical bills, and also for your legal expenses if you are sued and face a lawsuit for the incident.
• Loss of use: If a covered disaster, such as a fire, temporarily displaces you from your home while it's being repaired, your renters insurance will most likely compensate you for additional living expenses, such as hotel rooms, takeout meals, additional gas mileage, and more while you're unable to live at home. This coverage is similar to the loss of use coverage provided by standard homeowners insurance.

The coverage included in your specific renters insurance policy can vary depending on the insurance company that underwrites it. Make sure to review your coverage together with your independent insurance agent to be certain of what's covered and what isn't.

How to File a Renters Insurance Claim

If you suffer property loss due to a burglary, fire, water damage, or another covered cause, it's time to file a renters insurance claim. Fortunately, this process can be easy when you know what to do. Take the following steps to ensure your claim is paid in a timely manner.

1. Safety first: If the situation warrants it, call the proper authorities, including the fire department, an ambulance, or the police, immediately. In the event of a theft, be sure to get a copy of the police report.
2. Documentation: Note important details such as the time and date of the incident that led to the loss. Record and document all missing or damaged items. When appropriate, take pictures or videos. It's a good idea to complete a home inventory before a disaster occurs to help expedite this process.
3. Minimize further damage: For example, if a window is broken, cover it with plastic to prevent possible water damage. If something must be repaired right away for safety reasons, be sure to keep all receipts for your insurance carrier.
4. Contact your insurer or agent: Call your insurance company or independent insurance agent and provide information about the incident and the resulting loss and damage. Your independent insurance agent can initiate the claims process by contacting your insurer for you directly. 
5. Complete claims forms: Your agent or insurance company will likely provide you with claims forms. Complete them with the information you recorded earlier and attach all necessary documentation, including any receipts you have if you've made repairs or gotten estimates.
6. Schedule an adjuster visit: Your agent or renters insurance company will most likely send a claims adjuster to your home to inspect and assess the extent of the damage and property loss. In some cases, the adjuster may even write you a check on the spot.
7. Track your claim: Your independent insurance agent will keep you updated through every step of the process and provide an ETA on when you can expect to be reimbursed. You can also likely track your claim through your carrier's website or mobile app.
8. Receive reimbursement: Finally, your insurer will issue reimbursement, depending on how they rule your claim. If the claim is approved, your insurer may mail you a check or deposit the money directly into your online bank account. Keep in mind that your deductible will be deducted from the amount of reimbursement you receive. So, if your claim is approved for a $2,000 payout but you have a $500 deductible, you'd receive $1,500 total from your insurance company.

If the damage to your rented home or apartment makes it uninhabitable and you must pay for an alternative residence, save all receipts for lodging and meals during the time you're unable to live in your home. Your insurance company may reimburse you for these costs, as they would fall under loss of use coverage.

When to File a Renters Insurance Claim

Filing a renters insurance claim may not always be worth it, or even necessary. For example, there are certain things that your landlord may be required to repair for you, depending on the cause of the loss. 

Policyholders will likely want to file a renters insurance claim for any of the following:

• Theft or vandalism
• Burglaries and break-ins
• Fire damage
• Certain types of water damage
• Guest injuries or property damage
• Theft of personal items from a vehicle

Depending on the type of coverage you have, you may receive compensation for an item's actual cash value, which factors in depreciation. However, your policy might include replacement cost coverage, which can pay to replace an item based on its original value. Ask your independent insurance agent to help you determine which kind of coverage is included in your renters insurance policy.

Why Would a Renters Insurance Claim Be Denied?

While there are some steps you can take to help reduce the likelihood of it happening, occasionally, renters insurance claims are denied. There are various reasons why this may happen, but some of the most common include:

• Coverage exclusions: Renters insurance won't cover damage to your personal property caused by any perils specifically listed as exclusions, including natural flood damage. You'd need a separate flood insurance policy to cover damage or destruction to your personal belongings caused by hurricanes, tsunamis, etc.
• Late payments: If you are not up-to-date on your policy's premium payments, your insurance company may cancel your policy or deny your claim.
• Inaccurate information: If you provide any inaccurate information about your rental unit or the damage caused, your claim may be denied. For example, if you claim your home has deadbolt locks on all doors and your carrier finds this to be false, your robbery claim may be denied. Always be honest when acquiring your policy.
• Suspected fraud: Insurance fraud is a real problem, and if your claims adjuster or insurance company suspects fraud on your part, your claim may be denied pending further investigation. Having a copy of all receipts for major purchases and providing video documentation of the contents of your home can go a long way in helping you prove that your loss is legitimate.
• Intentional harm: If you host an event at your home and cause intentional harm to someone, such as if you start a fight with a friend and they get injured, your renters insurance company will likely not cover your liability claim.

If your claim is denied, you may appeal that decision. In many cases, your claim can be reviewed by multiple insurance adjusters. 

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Does Renters Insurance Increase After Filing a Claim?

Unfortunately, if you file a renters insurance claim, you can typically expect your premiums to increase afterward. The more claims you've filed, the more your premiums are likely to increase. Your insurance company must consider the risk level to insure every policyholder, and the risk increases with every claim filed. 

After your first claim, your premiums likely won't be affected too significantly. However, these increases can skyrocket after a second or third subsequent claim, especially within a short timeframe. Also, the larger the claim is, the more your premiums are likely to increase. Minor claims don't tend to result in much of a rate hike.

An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You File Renters Insurance Claims

If you need to file a renters insurance claim, a local independent insurance agent can help. Your agent can file claims directly through your insurance company for you and keep you updated through every step of the process. They can also help you shop around for cheaper coverage, find renters insurance discounts, or update your policy when necessary.