Skip to Top Main Navigation Skip to Content Area Skip to Footer
Texas Department of Insurance
Topics:   A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z All
Topics A to Z
Español

Renters insurance: What does it cover and how much does it cost?

Español

Your landlord’s insurance won’t cover your personal items. You will need renters insurance to protect your belongings from theft or damage from a burst pipe or other cause. The average renters policy in Texas costs about $20 a month.

renters insurance agreement

  1. What it covers

    Renters insurance typically includes three types of coverage:

    • Personal property coverage: Covers your belongings – even items stolen out of your car or while you’re traveling.
    • Additional living expenses: Pays the extra cost of food, rental, and other things if you have to move out of your place for a short time because of damages from a covered loss.
    • Personal liability: Protects you if someone is injured in your home and pays legal costs if you are liable and taken to court. 

  2. Your landlord might require it

    Renters insurance isn’t required by law. Some landlords might require you to have a renters policy. Make sure the policy you buy will pay to replace your personal property.

  3. Floods not included

    Most renters policies will cover losses due to fire, smoke, theft or vandalism, and certain kinds of water damage. They don’t cover losses due to floods. Visit the National Flood Insurance Program for information about flood coverage. 

  4. Know your policy limits

    Your policy will pay to replace or repair your belongings up to a dollar limit. This is the most the company will pay, even if the cost is higher. Fill out a home inventory to know the value of your belongings to be sure you have enough coverage.

    Some policies limit payments for certain kinds of property. Common limits are $100 for cash, $2,500 for items used for business, and $500 for jewelry and watches. Ask your agent about buying more coverage for expensive items or collectibles.

  5. The fine print

    Let’s say you paid $1,300 for a laptop two years ago, but now the same kind is selling for $500. A basic renters policy would pay $500 if your laptop was destroyed. You can buy a policy that will cover the replacement value of your items, but it will cost more.

  6. Mom and dad may have you covered

    If you’re a dependent, your parents’ homeowners policy may cover your stuff even if you’re not living at home. In that case, you may not need renters insurance. This coverage is usually limited to 10% of the personal property coverage in the homeowners policy.

Resources

 

Questions? Call us at 800-252-3439.

Last updated: 7/12/2023