Can My Landlord Make a Claim on My Renters Insurance?

There are many misconceptions about renters insurance. First, it’s important to understand that a renters insurance policy is designed to protect the tenant, not the landlord. Landlords have their own insurance to cover the physical apartment complex or home from damages, as well as liability.

If you buy a renters insurance policy, that policy is yours. It covers liability and property damage for you and your belongings. It won’t cover damages done to the apartment complex outside of your unit. This doesn’t mean that you won’t be held liable for damages, however.

Incidents that should be filed with your renters insurance include:

Damages to your personal property
Liability if you (or a pet) causes bodily injury or property damage to another tenant
Damages to the unit caused by negligence on your behalf*

Incidents with negligence are more nuanced. Say you overload your washer and it leaks, causing water damage to the floor and baseboards. Your landlord will likely file a claim with their insurance company to fix the damages to the unit. This doesn’t mean you’re in the clear, however.

Since the incident was covered by your negligence, the landlord’s insurance agency can sue you for the damages. Thankfully, your renters insurance covers lawsuits concerning property damage liability and thus will pay for your defense.

Why Do Landlords Require Renters Insurance?

If your renters insurance policy can’t be used by your landlord, you may be wondering why landlords even require renters insurance. In cases like the above, landlords want to make sure you have the ability to compensate for damages you cause. Liability insurance guarantees that you will have a way to pay for damages you cause. Renters insurance also serves to protect other tenants in cases related to bodily injury and property damage. If your dog bites another tenant, your liability coverage can help pay for the medical expenses, as well as legal fees if the other tenant decides to sue.

Overall, make sure that your renters insurance policy is tailored to protect you and your belongings in case of an accident. The landlord has their own insurance policies to protect themselves and the apartment complex from the same dangers that you face. A basic renters insurance policy typically covers:

$100,000 in liability coverage
$30,000 in personal belongings coverage

Limits can be adjusted depending on the value of your belongings.

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