If you think that your personal possessions are protected by your landlord’s home owner insurance policy think again! The only thing that the home owner insurance policy of your landlord will protect is the property itself. If the sewage backs up, then maybe your possessions are covered, if the landlord sees fit to pay you out. However, in most cases, and in most states, a rental home does not offer coverages in the home owner insurance policy that protect you, the renter.

What Does your Landlord’s Home Owner Insurance Policy Cover?
The policy is like most other home owner insurance policies, but it has been modified as a rental. Basically the home, the structure and the property are covered, as well as others in the event of the landlord’s liability, not yours. So if anything goes wrong, like a friend breaks their leg on your stairwell, you are liable, not the landlord. Sounds kind of crumby doesn’t it? But there are ways that you can protect yourself as a renter.

How to Best Protect Yourself as a Renter
Get renters insurance. This is the best way to protect yourself from liability and your personal possessions in the event of a disaster related loss or theft. Renters insurance is offered by many companies and standard coverages cost about a buck per day. Now isn’t a dollar per day worth the peace of mind that you gain? And, typically there are small deductibles with renters insurance that cost a few hundred bucks out of pocket or take off the payout of the claim.