The good thing about renting your home in North Carolina is that you have less responsibility for the property. The landlord takes care of the roof, the air conditioner, the heating, and other big stuff. When things go wrong, you call them.
But that doesn’t mean you don’t have responsibility for your own belongings – and your own liability. From house fires to deadly storms, things can quickly go wrong anywhere you live. As a renter, when danger strikes, you need to be able to replace your possessions and cover your own liability. That’s where renters insurance comes in.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is Renters Insurance?
Basically, In North Carolina renters insurance acts a bit like a homeowners insurance policy for renters. It covers your personal property in case of damage by a covered peril. It can also offer some liability protection if you’re responsible for someone’s injuries or property damage.
Renters insurance may be required by your landlord when you sign a lease. But even if it’s not required, it’s always a good idea and a smart financial move.
Who Needs Renters Insurance in North Carolina?
Anyone who rents property in North Carolina needs renters insurance. Whether you’re a college student living in your first apartment or renting temporarily while you wait to move into your primary residence, renters insurance is for you.
It doesn’t matter if you’re renting a room in someone’s home or you live alone in a luxury apartment. Renters insurance is for you, too.
Will My Landlord Cover Me?
NO! Do not make the mistake of assuming your landlord's homeowners insurance will cover you or your property. A landlord’s policy only insures the physical structure of your rental, not your belongings. If the person who owns the building has rental insurance, they will be protected from costs to them should something happen to the building, but they are not responsible for covering your belongings.
This means, without renters insurance, you will have to pay out of pocket to replace anything and everything damaged. It also means you could be personally sued for damages others suffer – because you won’t have the benefit of the liability coverage included in renters insurance.
What Does Renters Insurance Cover in North Carolina?
Renters insurance protects you from three main types of losses you might experience as a renter:
- Personal property coverage that replaces your belongings in case of a catastrophic covered peril
- Liability coverage in case you’re found responsible for bodily injury or property damage to a third-party
- Loss of use coverage to help you pay the extra expenses of rent, food, and other necessities if your rental is so damaged in a covered peril that you can’t live there until it’s fixed or rebuilt
Renters insurance doesn’t pay to repair the rental property itself – the apartment, condo, house, or even room you’re renting. That’s the responsibility of your landlord’s insurance.
Renters insurance protects against multiple forms of damage:
- Fire
- Storms, hail, and lightning
- Theft and vandalism
- Damage from heavy snow
- Falling objects
- Explosions
If a storm blows the roof off of your rental, and the wind and rain cause damage to your belongings, your renters insurance will cover the cost to replace your belongings.
How Much Does Renters Insurance Cost Per Month in North Carolina?
The cost of renters insurance is likely much lower than you imagine. In North Carolina, the average cost is $147 per year or $12 per month. That amount varies across the state. In Charlotte, the average cost is $128 a year or $11 each month.
Not everyone will pay that amount. Some renters will pay less and some will pay more. It depends on a variety of factors such as:
- The amount of coverage you need for your possessions
- How much liability coverage you choose
- Where you live
- Your deductible
- Your credit history
- Your claims history
You can also save money on renters insurance by bundling it with other policies or paying in full for the year instead of paying monthly.
How Much Renters Insurance Do I Need in North Carolina?
You want enough insurance coverage to help you rebuild from scratch, but you don’t want to pay for more insurance than you need. That’s understandable. So how do you figure out how much coverage to buy?
For your personal property coverage, you’ll need to figure out how much it would cost you to replace everything you own. This includes your clothing and shoes, furniture that belongs to you electronics, books, collections, and anything you own that can conceivably need to be replaced.
The best way to do this is to make a list or a video of everything you own, and then do a bit of research to figure out what it would cost to buy something comparable. Are your clothes designer? Then estimate buying designer clothes at current day prices. Was your couch a hand-me-down? Look up prices for new couches of a similar price to add to your personal estimate.
For liability coverage, it’s best to buy as much as you can afford. The typical amount you’ll see in a renters insurance policy is $100,000. This may be more than enough coverage for most renters but if you’re the type to have people over (especially hosting parties), you may want to increase that amount.
How Charlotte Insurance Can Help
Finding the right renters insurance policy doesn’t have to be stressful or difficult. And it’s definitely not something you should skip. Contact Charlotte Insurance today or fill out our free form for North Carolina renters.
After a disaster, you can’t rely on your landlord to replace your belongings, and you shouldn’t have to struggle to do it yourself. With an affordable renters insurance policy, you won’t have to worry about where you’ll stay or how you’ll pay for it. Contact Charlotte Insurance today. We’re here to help.