
Some landlords and virtually all property managers require that you provide proof of a renter's insurance policy before you can sign a lease and move in. Some also ask for proof of coverage each time the lease is renewed. Minimally, they want to make sure that their liability requirement is met. A few may also want to see proof of personal property coverage.
In most cases the landlord is not responsible for damage or loss to the renter's personal property in case of an unexpected incident; the landlord only covers damage to the building. The renter's insurance policy reimburses the tenant for personal items – you can get renter’s insurance from just about any major insurance company. Provide proof to your landlord in one of a few simple ways.
E-Proof
If your insurance company offers this option, you can go to their website, download and print proof of renter’s insurance the way you would for auto coverage. Then email, fax or hand-deliver it to your landlord. Alternatively, you can call your insurance company and ask a representative to email or fax a copy of your declarations page, or a note on the insurance company's letterhead, directly to the landlord or property manager as proof that you have renter's insurance. The declarations page is the first page of your policy that shows your name, address, policy start and end dates, along with the policy’s limits of coverage for liability and, if applicable, personal property.
Phone or Snail Mail Proof
Another method of proving current renter’s insurance coverage is to initiate a three-way call with your landlord and your insurance company. Ask the representative to confirm your renter's insurance coverage details over the phone so the landlord can verify this information. Most property managers won’t except this method because they want to have something tangible to put in your file. If you don’t need proof of coverage immediately, you can ask your insurance company to mail it to you and then bring it to your landlord in person when it arrives.
Additional Interested Party
Some landlords may require that they be listed on your policy as an additional interested party. This is similar to the bank that has your car loan requiring that it be listed on your auto insurance policy. In both cases the additional interested party is notified if the policy lapses or is canceled. This protects the landlord from a renter who might stop paying on their policy once they’ve provided initial proof of coverage.
Proof of Coverage Not Required
Even if your landlord doesn’t require renter’s insurance, it’s a smart buy. It’s inexpensive (usually a couple of hundred dollars a year) and it can help you replace things like furniture, computers and clothing if they are damaged, lost or stolen. Renter’s insurance will often cover items you keep at a storage facility that is separate from where you live. It can even cover items that are lost or stolen from your car or hotel when you’re on vacation.
Tips
Ask your landlord directly about his preferred method of receiving your proof of renter's insurance when (or before) you sign the lease so you can save time and trouble.
References
- Insure: The Basics of Renters Insurance
- Effective Coverage: How Can I Give My Landlord Proof Of Renters Insurance?
- Policy Genius: What renters insurance covers, and what it doesn’t
- Insurance Information Institute. "Your renters insurance guide." Accessed July 23, 2020.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Your renters insurance guide: Renters insurance protections." Accessed July 23, 2020.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Your renters insurance guide: Coverage for personal possessions: 1. How much insurance should I buy?" Accessed July 23, 2020.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Your renters insurance guide: Coverage for personal possessions: 2. Should I choose replacement cost or actual cash value coverage?" Accessed July 23, 2020.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Your renters insurance guide: Coverage for personal possessions: 5. What is a 'floater' and do I need one?" Accessed July 23, 2020.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Your renters insurance guide: Coverage for personal possessons: 3. What disasters are—and are not—covered?" Accessed July 23, 2020.
- FEMA. "National Flood Insurance Program." Accessed July 23, 2020.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Earthquake insurance for homeowners." Accessed July 23, 2020.
- California Earthquake Authority. "Insure Your Home and Future with CEA." Accessed July 23, 2020.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Your renters insurance guide: Liability protection." Accessed July 23, 2020.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Your renters insurance guide: Additional living expenses." Accessed July 23, 2020.
Writer Bio
Louise Balle has been writing Web articles since 2004, covering everything from business promotion to topics on beauty. Her work can be found on various websites. She has a small-business background and experience as a layout and graphics designer for Web and book projects.