Renters insurance
What Does Renters Insurance Cover? (2026 Guide)
What does renters insurance cover? HO-4 basics: belongings, liability and loss of use, what is excluded, ACV vs replacement cost, and how much to buy.
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Renters insurance
Your landlord's policy protects the building, not your belongings or your liability. Renters insurance fills that gap. These guides explain what an HO-4 policy covers, the limits that matter and how to size coverage with a simple inventory.
Common questions about renters insurance
Does my landlord's insurance cover my things?
No. A landlord's policy covers the building and the landlord's liability, not your belongings or your personal liability. Renters insurance is what protects your own property.
Is renters insurance required?
No state law requires it, but many leases do. If your lease requires it, the landlord may ask to be listed as an interested party so they are told if the policy lapses.
What does renters insurance cover?
A typical HO-4 renters policy covers your personal property against named perils such as fire and theft, personal liability, medical payments to others and extra living costs if your home becomes unlivable after a covered loss.
How much renters insurance do I need?
Add up what it would cost to replace your belongings, using a simple room-by-room inventory, and choose a personal property limit that covers that total. Pick a liability limit that reflects your savings and what you could be sued for.
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