How Renters Insurance Covers Moving - QuoteWizard (2024)

When moving to a new rental, your renters insurance may cover your damaged personal property if the damage is caused by a covered peril.

Renters insurance can cover damage from theft, as well as damage from vandalism and fire. However, renters insurance may not cover damage caused by movers, as that is the moving company's responsibility.

In this article

  • What your renters insurance covers while you're moving
  • Renters insurance exclusions during a move
  • Coverage provided by moving companies
  • Third-party moving insurance

What does renters insurance cover while I'm moving?

Your renters insurance covers your personal property against your policy's listed perils while in the hands of your moving company. This means that if your belongings — or the moving truck — are stolen, your renters insurance will cover the stolen items up to your policy coverage limit.

You may need to relocate while your rental home is being repaired due to a covered peril. In such cases, the additional living expenses portion of your renters insurance will cover the moving costs to your new temporary home while your rental home is being fixed.

Damage or destruction of your stuff due to vandalism, water damage and natural perils such as fire are also covered by your renters insurance.

What doesn't renters insurance cover while I'm moving

If your personal items are damaged due to your own negligence, such as if you improperly packed your belongings or if you failed to lock the moving truck you're driving, then your renters insurance company will not cover any damages. You also won't be protected if your belongings are damaged from a peril not included in your policy.

Unless you're moving to relocate while your rental home is repaired due to a peril covered by your renters insurance policy, the cost of your move is not covered either.

Licensed moving companies usually offer coverage for damage while they have your stuff. Third-party moving insurance is also available.

Coverage provided by your moving company

A moving company is liable for damage to your belongings from the time they start packing it up to when they drop it off at your new home. As such, they're required by law to offer you coverage for your belongings in their hands. How much compensation you'll get if your stuff is damaged while the movers have it depends on the level of coverage you get. Most licensed moving companies offer two levels of coverage:

Released-value coverage is the most basic coverage required by federal law. This is usually the free coverage option offered by moving companies. They would pay up to 60 cents per pound for a damaged item. If your $500 two-pound laptop gets damaged when moving, well, the moving company would only give you $1.20 if they broke it.

Full-value coverage is also required by federal law, but you have to purchase it. It can pay the full replacement cost of destroyed belongings or offer a cash payout equal to the item's current market value. Items worth $100 a pound or more, such as jewelry and art collections, are usually excluded. If you're moving, we recommend purchasing the full-value coverage because it provides more financial protection.

Third-party moving insurance

If you can't afford a moving company's full-value protection, you may be able to purchase third-party moving insurance to complement the moving company's released-value protection. Third-party moving insurance covers reimbursem*nt past the limits of released-value coverage.

For example, if you only receive $120 for your $700 couch, your third-party insurance would pay out the remaining $580 if it's within the policy's limits. Third-party moving insurance is also a good value in that it's regulated by state insurance law.

If you have expensive jewelry and paintings, this could be a great option.

Moving to a new rental with renters insurance

When you move to a new apartment, you may be able to transfer your renters insurance policy to the new address. You will need to contact your renters insurance company and give them your new address and your moving date. However, know that your rates may change. When moving apartments, we recommend shopping around to find the best rate.

Do I need moving insurance?

Renters insurance alone does provide the coverage you will need if you're moving. To ensure you have adequate coverage for your personal property while moving, we recommend purchasing full-value protection from your moving company or third-party moving insurance if you have high-value items.

References:

QuoteWizard.com LLC has made every effort to ensure that the information on this site is correct, but we cannot guarantee that it is free of inaccuracies, errors, or omissions.All content and services provided on or through this site are provided "as is" and "as available" for use.QuoteWizard.com LLC makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of this site or to the information, content, materials, or products included on this site.You expressly agree that your use of this site is at your sole risk.

How Renters Insurance Covers Moving - QuoteWizard (2024)

FAQs

How Renters Insurance Covers Moving - QuoteWizard? ›

Unless you're moving to relocate while your rental home is repaired due to a peril covered by your renters insurance policy, the cost of your move is not covered either. Licensed moving companies usually offer coverage for damage while they have your stuff. Third-party moving insurance is also available.

Does renters insurance cover moving costs? ›

Renters' insurance policies do not cover standard moving expenses, but some exceptions include if your home is deemed uninhabitable due to a covered peril, if your belongings are damaged in transit or temporary storage, or if you or someone helping you move causes accidental damage and liability coverage comes into ...

What is typically not covered by renters insurance? ›

Flooding, earthquakes and sinkholes are all examples of natural disasters that are not covered by a typical renters insurance policy.

Does renters insurance cover living expenses? ›

Additional living expense coverage is a standard part of most homeowners, condo and renters insurance policies. It helps pay for increased costs you incur if you are temporarily unable to live in your home due to a covered loss.

Does renters insurance cover bathroom leaks? ›

Your renters insurance policy should cover water damage that results from a toilet flooding over and damaging personal property. But you won't be covered if your negligence was the source of the damage.

How do you cover moving costs? ›

Whether it's through savings, using a personal loan, credit card or asking your employer for relocation assistance, there are ways to cover the expenses of a move without breaking the bank. However, it's important to carefully evaluate each option and understand the full cost of each.

Does insurance cover moving expenses? ›

While most homeowners, renters and condo policies cover your personal property during a move, you usually won't be covered for any damage caused by movers — including packing and transporting your belongings.

What are the 4 parts of coverage for renters insurance? ›

Typically, renters insurance provides four types of coverage: personal property coverage, renters liability insurance, guest medical expenses, and additional living expenses. Personal property or personal belongings coverage is what most people think of when it comes to renters insurance.

How does a renters insurance deductible work? ›

How does a deductible work for renters insurance? Renters insurance deductibles are applied the same way as homeowners and condo insurance deductibles. If you file a claim on a covered loss, your insurer will pay you the amount above your deductible, up to your policy's limit.

Does renters insurance cover electrical damage? ›

Short-circuit accidents can result in electrical damage to your appliances and sometimes even lead to a fire. Depending on your coverage limits, your renters insurance could reimburse you for this peril. Renters insurance will also cover damage that's indirectly caused by a power surge.

Which of the following is covered by renter's insurance? ›

Renters insurance covers personal property, personal liability, medical payments and additional living expenses or loss of use, up to the limits of your policy.

Does renters insurance cover hotel stays if AC is broken? ›

Typically, your renter's policy will not cover your hotel due to your air conditioner being out. A broken AC is not considered the loss of use of the dwelling (home) — they typically only pay for other accommodations when the entire dwelling is uninhabitable.

What is a coverage limit? ›

Your policy's coverage limits are the maximum amount your insurer may pay out for covered claims. If you file a claim with your insurer or have a claim filed against your insurance, and the costs exceed your coverage limit, then you may be responsible for any remaining expenses that aren't covered by your insurance.

Does renters insurance cover clogged drains? ›

A standard renters insurance policy typically won't cover water damage from sewer lines. However, some renters insurance companies may offer optional coverage for water back-up and sump overflow, which safeguards you in case of a sump pump mishap or clogged sewer.

Does renters insurance cover ceiling collapse? ›

Renters insurance might cover some of your personal property should the ceiling collapse in the home or apartment you rent. It should also cover additional expenses incurred while your place is undergoing repairs. However, it will not likely cover any injuries you sustained in your own rental.

Is a leaking toilet covered by insurance? ›

If the source of the damage comes from inside your home, such as a water leak from plumbing , a broken pipe or overflowing appliance, you'll likely be covered by your homeowners insurance.

What insurance do you need when moving? ›

Moving companies will offer two types of protection; released-value protection (RVP) and full-value protection (FVP). Professional movers are required by federal law to offer them to consumers, but they are not technically insurance. Movers may also offer moving insurance backed by third-party insurance companies.

Does renters insurance cover relocation due to mold? ›

Your insurer may also pay for mold remediation in that scenario, as well as lodging if you need to live elsewhere while the mold is removed. However, if the mold resulted from your negligence, then you typically won't be covered.

Does rental insurance cover displacement? ›

To get your loss of use expenses from your renters insurance reimbursed, keep receipts for every aspect of your displacement — hotel, food, laundry, storage, and gas. Your insurance company will usually require proof of your expenses, so it's vital to document and itemize those transactions.

Does renters insurance cover hotel expenses? ›

Absolutely! In most cases, Loss of Use coverage isn't limited to traditional hotels. It also extends to temporary accommodations like short-term rentals, including Airbnb.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 6125

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Birthday: 2000-07-07

Address: 5050 Breitenberg Knoll, New Robert, MI 45409

Phone: +2556892639372

Job: Investor Mining Engineer

Hobby: Sketching, Cosplaying, Glassblowing, Genealogy, Crocheting, Archery, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.