HomeRenters insurance
Renters Insurance in Maryland
Renters insurance covers your belongings, your liability and a place to stay if your apartment becomes unlivable. It's one of the least expensive policies you can buy, and it can lower your auto premium when you bundle.
What renters insurance covers
- Your belongings, at home and generally when you travel, against fire, theft, water damage from a burst pipe and other covered losses.
- Personal liability, if you accidentally injure someone or damage someone else's property, including your landlord's.
- Loss of use, which pays extra living costs if a covered loss forces you out of your home.
Why it's worth it
A kitchen fire or a burst pipe in the unit upstairs can ruin most of what you own, and the landlord's insurance won't replace any of it. Renters insurance also protects you if a fire starts in your unit and damages the building or your neighbors' apartments.
Bundle it with your car
Many carriers discount your auto insurance when you add a renters policy, and the discount can offset much of the renters premium. I quote them together so you can see the combined price.
Frequently asked questions
Doesn't my landlord's insurance cover my things?
No. Your landlord's policy covers the building and the landlord's liability. Your furniture, clothes and electronics, and your own liability, are only covered by a renters policy in your name.
Is renters insurance required in Maryland?
No state law requires it, but many landlords require it in the lease, often with a minimum amount of liability coverage. I can add your landlord to the policy if they ask for proof.
How much personal property coverage do I need?
Add up what it would cost to replace everything you own: furniture, clothes, kitchen items, electronics and so on. Most people underestimate it. I recommend replacement cost coverage, which pays to buy new items instead of their depreciated value.
Does renters insurance cover my roommate?
Not automatically. A renters policy covers the people named on it and their relatives who live with them. Roommates usually need their own policies.
Related coverage
Want a second opinion on your coverage?
Send me your current declarations page. I'll tell you honestly whether you can do better on price, coverage or both.