Things to Know Before Sharing Roommate Renters Insurance
Go Back To Previous PageRenting a room with a friend or another person could be a thoughtful idea for many people looking to save up money or while on a temporary
relocation. It can be fun, but other things like renters insurance may pop up. This discussion explores things to know before sharing roommate renters insurance. Keep reading;
Scope Of Coverage
Sharing renter’s insurance with your roommates may depend on your relationship, insurance provider, policy, and state. Some plans may cover domestic partners and relationships, whereas others may not.
It’s important to know that you must be part of the policy for your belongings to be covered.
Therefore the insurance provider may not compensate you for losses incurred due to floods, theft, or fire.
Typically, the scope of coverage is limited to the items in the policy, such as theft, fire, pipe bursts, or explosion. Most renters’ insurance policies don’t cover natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Before choosing the plan, read the fine print to understand the scope of coverage.
What Is Covered
When sharing renters insurance with your roommate, knowing the items covered under the policy is vital. Usually, renters insurance protects you and your roommate’s possessions, including electrics, clothes, books, and other items in the house. It may also cover bills or legal expenses incurred by other people injured in your home. For example, the third party may sue for compensation if your pet harms another person or pet inside your premises.
The policy may also cover hotel boarding expenses if your house is damaged and requires urgent repair or renovation. Also, you may be compensated if someone uses your credit card to commit a forgery and you lose money. The plan may also include belongings damaged or lost outside your premises.
Cost Sharing and Benefits
If your roommate takes out renters insurance and fails to include your name in the policy, you may miss out on the compensation if a loss occurs. Therefore, it’s essential to have a mutual agreement with your roommate so that both of you can benefit from the coverage. Since it’s a shared policy, you’ll also need to agree on how much you will contribute to the premiums and deductibles during a claim.
If you already have renters insurance, you may add a roommate; however, insurers may limit how much gets paid during a claim. If you add your roommate, the limits may not increase but could be divided if possessions are stolen or damaged.
Maintaining cordial relationships with your roommate when seeking compensation is vital because your insurer may require both parties to sign the reimbursement check. Any disagreements could jeopardize claims settlement.
If you have joint possessions, you must inform your insurer to smooth the claim process. You can avoid disputes by having written proof of the inventory of your belongings when taking out the policy.
How To Save Costs
Like any other insurance policy, there are things you can do to cut down on your overall insurance costs. According to statistics, the average renters’ insurance is between $15-$20 per month; however, it may vary from state to state.
Renters’ insurance with roommates is one way to share costs and ensure you enjoy savings on your insurance premium. Choosing a higher deductible means that your premiums will be lower. Also, you can get quotes from different carriers and consider one with favorable rates.
Conclusion
Sharing renters insurance with your roommate can save you on the overall cost of insurance. But, it’s important to understand coverage, claims limits, and any risks associated with sharing the policy. Disagreements and your room partner’s financial decisions can bring problems along the
Georges has been working in Wall Street for the last 16 years trading derivatives with hedge funds. He has been an active real estate investor for over a decade. Georges graduated from HEC Business School in Paris and holds a master in Finance from ESADE Barcelona.
