Two roommates looking at cost of renters insurance.

How Much Is Renters Insurance?

Updated November 1, 2021 . AmFam Team

Renters insurance can cost less than $15 a month. Learn the different factors that influence the price of renters insurance with American Family Insurance.

How Much Is Renters Insurance?

Whether you’re a first-time renter or have been in your third-floor studio for years, renters insurance is one way you can help protect what matters most. But with all the other bills you have to pay, you might be wondering just how much renters insurance will cost you. We’ll help you understand what goes into the cost of renters insurance and how much you can expect to pay.

How Much Does Monthly Renters Insurance Cost?

The average cost of renters insurance is often less than $15 a month. In general, most renters insurance policies are extremely affordable. So for the cost of about three fancy coffees or one large pizza, you could get the coverage you need for your apartment or home.

How Is Renters Insurance Calculated?

So how is your renters premium calculated? Here are a few factors that can affect the price of your renters policy:

  • Coverage limits
  • Location of residence
  • Property type
  • Replacement cost vs actual cash value
  • Deductible amount

We’ve highlighted some questions below to help you better understand the cost of your renters insurance.

What Are Your Coverage Limits?

One of the biggest factors that helps determine the cost of your renters insurance is the amount of coverage you have. Every renters insurance policy has standard coverage limits, which are the maximum amount your policy will pay in case you have a claim. Your personal property and liability coverage both offer protection up to two different dollar amounts.

And there are also options to expand your coverage limits to protect valuable items worth more than your limits. Perhaps you have expensive electronics, a pricey new engagement ring — you’ll want to consider scheduled personal property coverage (also known as itemized personal property coverage). This not only gives you a higher coverage amount, but your items will be covered for more types of events.

Just remember that extending your coverage limits will impact the cost of your renters insurance premium.

Will Location Affect the Cost of Your Renters Insurance?

The location of your rental may also affect your insurance rate. If your area is prone to natural disasters or crime, your renters insurance rate will probably be higher than an area that is relatively safer.

Average Cost of Renters Insurance By State

Depending on where you live, renters insurance costs vary. The national average is $179 a year, or $15 a month. Check out the table below to see what your state charges.

The cost of renters insurance varies depending on your coverage and limits — that’s why it’s important to talk with your American Family Insurance agent (Opens in a new tab) to find the best policy for your belongings and your budget.

And be sure to check out our Resource and Apartment Resource Hub to learn more about renters insurance, landlords, DIY ideas for your place and more!

This article is for informational purposes only and includes information widely available through different sources and does not afford or guarantee any coverage.

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    That’s where insurance for temporary housing comes into play.

    Temporary living expense coverage, also known as loss of use coverage or Coverage D, is reimbursement for living expenses when loss of or damage to your home by a covered event forces you to maintain temporary residence elsewhere.

    You can use insurance for temporary accommodation in instances such as:

    • Your home becomes uninhabitable after a fire
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    • If a covered event, like a lightning strike, causes your air conditioner to break down
    • If an emergency, mandatory evacuation required you to relocate temporarily
    • A vehicle collided with your home
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    Roof and gutter covered in ice.
    Protect Your Roof: How to Prevent & Remove Dams

    Icicles may give your home a quaint look in winter, but they’re symptomatic of a bigger problem — ice dams. Ice dams can damage your home because they prevent melting snow and ice from draining properly. Ice dams can lead to mold, rot and water leaking into your attic and nearby ceiling. But don’t panic just yet. We’ve highlighted how to prevent and remove ice dams and ways to mitigate damage to your home from ice dams.

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    What is an ice dam?

    What causes ice dams? Ice dams form when attic air becomes warm enough to heat the underside of the roof, which in turn causes the snow on top of the roof to thaw. The melting snow runs down the roof until it hits an eave or roof edge that is below the freezing point. The melted snow refreezes and creates a ridge of ice — an ice dam — which blocks further runoff. As snow continues to melt, it has nowhere to go but up, where it starts seeping under the shingles and into the house.

    Ice dams typically form near the edge of the roof when water runs off the warmed roof and then freezes again at the eaves, but this isn’t the only place you’ll find them. They can also form on gutters that don’t drain completely and around skylights because of the less-insulated design.

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    Why are ice dams bad?

    Ice dams can cause big problems for your home. The weight of these heavy icicles has been known to rip gutters from roofs and cause damage to the shingles on your home. But the damage doesn’t stop there. Damaged drywall and plaster, water-stained ceilings and peeling paint are also the result of ice dam damage.

    Ice dams increase the chance of water seeping into your attic and soaking your insulation. This significantly brings down its R-value or its heat-retaining/insulating capacity — and worse yet — it can cause structural damage if left unchecked. Over the years, the effects of ice dams can lead to blistering of the interior and exterior paint. It can also spur the growth of mold and mildew, as well as weaken structural beams and rafters. Take into account the high-cost contractors will likely charge to fix the problem and you’ll begin to understand why it’s wise to take a proactive approach to managing ice dams.

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    How to Identify Ice Dam Damage to Your Home

    If you suspect that your home has an ice dam, it’s important to first detect signs of ice dam leaks and assess the extent of the damage. It may be necessary to bring in a contractor for an estimate in order to have a solid understanding of how extensive the damage is. In the meantime, here are some DIY ideas to try out:

    Snap some photos

    From the exterior of your home, take a few photos that you can use as a reference to look for signs of water damage on the interior. Look for stains on your ceilings and walls near the position of the ice dam.

    Check your attic

    Get into the attic and look for water dripping or staining on the rafters and roofing underlayment. It can be helpful to flag these areas so that you’ll be able to locate them later.

    Inspect your chimney

    See if you can find evidence of ice forming around the base of the chimney, where it meets your roof. If the flashing has come loose or isn’t sealed well, this can be another place where ice and meltwater can do some damage. From inside the attic, review the way heat escapes from around the perimeter of your chimney. If you can see daylight through that seal, take action to seal it up as soon as possible.

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    How to Prevent Ice Dams

    The basic principle of preventing ice damns is keeping your roof cold. If your roof is cold, snow won’t melt as fast and an ice ridge will be less likely to form. Keeping your roof cold isn’t always as easy as it sounds, so we’ve got ice dam prevention tips for you.

    Ice dams are usually created when the attic is warmer than the air outside. Ideally, the insulation keeps warm air in your home and out of your attic. The venting system in your attic helps keep it cool and hopefully close to the temperature outside. Together, this clever combination keeps snow on the roof from melting — and if the snow doesn’t melt, then ice dams shouldn’t form.

    The key to preventing ice dams on roofs and in roof valleys involves increasing ventilation in your attic, adding insulation and sealing air leaks. This is not a quick fix but a permanent correction, so it requires some effort and, most likely, professional assistance. However, the long-run benefits include a roof free of ice dams and a more energy-efficient home. We’d call that a win-win.

    Worker insulating an attic.

    Follow these 10 steps to avoid ice dams:

    1. Increase ventilation. Keeping cold air moving under the roof is the first step toward preventing ice dams. The ridge and soffit vents are designed to do this, but they might require a professional inspection and baffles to improve the flow and provide a clear path for the air.

    2. Cap the attic hatch. If you have an unsealed attic hatch, a weather-stripping cap will keep the heat in your home and prevent it from creeping into the attic. Remember, you don’t want warm air coming up into the attic and melting snow on the roof, causing freezing and ice dams.

    3. Examine exhaust systems. Most homes have exhaust ducts in the bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room. These vents should all lead outdoors through the roof or walls. If they’re vented to the soffit, you’ll need to have that changed for permanent ice dam remediation.

    4. Check the insulation. Check to see if your attic floor needs more insulation. Maintaining this protective barrier at optimum depth helps your home stay warmer and more energy efficient while keeping the cool air in the attic.

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    5. Install chimney flashing. Do you have flashing, a metal strip that prevents water penetration, between your chimney and the house? If not, it’s time to add it and seal any gaps where ice, water and cold wind can sneak in. Remember, you’re working around the chimney, so using fire-safe products is essential.

    6. Caulk leaks. Anywhere electrical cables, vent pipes, satellite dishes and other penetrations occur in the roof, you stand the risk of having gaps and air leaks. Caulk these areas with a fire-stop sealant to keep them as air-tight as possible.

    7. Check the ducts. Make sure all ductwork through the attic is properly sealed and insulated. If you have an older home, it pays to check your heating ducts to make sure they’re not bringing excess heat into the attic.

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    8. Look at the lights. If you have can lights or other light fixtures in your ceiling that are not sealed, you’re releasing heat into the attic. You might also be putting your home at risk for a fire. For increased safety, change these lights to an IC-rated fixture, which allows for direct contact with insulation and insulate over the lights.

    9. Add an ice-and-water barrier. If you’re reroofing, it’s time to add an ice-and-water barrier. This is a great layer of protection. While many regions now require it, it wasn’t always mandated, so your home may not have one. An ice-and-water barrier needs to be added under a roof, so it’s cost-prohibitive if you’re not reroofing — but if you are, it’s the perfect time to add it.

    10. Keep your roof in good shape. One of the best answers to prevent ice dams is to maintain your roof well and ensure you have enough insulation to keep warm air from getting through. Installing a metal roof with a steep pitch can minimize your risk of leaks caused by ice dams.

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    Quick Fixes to Get Rid of Ice Dams

    While your goal is to permanently stop ice dams, you might need to use a few quick fixes in the meantime. These tips help you stay on top of ice dams and prevent damage to your home.

    Use a snow rake. After a heavy snowfall, give your roof a break by raking the snow off. This inexpensive tool pulls down the snow so it can’t melt and refreeze into an ice dam. Only use a snow rake from the ground or your deck, never from a ladder. And be careful not to break shingles, which can be brittle in bitter cold temperatures.

    Try calcium chloride. Avoid using rock salt as it can damage paint and metal on your home. But calcium chloride can help melt ice and get water flowing again.

    Install heat cables. Mount heat cables along the edge of your roof and through the downspout. That enables snow to melt and run down the proper channels.

    Steam it off. If you have an ice dam already and you can see that there is a leak coming into your home, you’ll want to remedy it as soon as possible. Check with local roofing companies to see if they have a steamer that can melt the ice off the roof without damaging your shingles. If it’s too big a job for just you, hire a roofing professional to steam off ice dams.

    Not having to worry about ice dams can be a huge relief in the winter months. You instantly free yourself from the immediate issues of a damaged roof and leaks. In addition, your home becomes more energy efficient and comfortable as the air quality improves if moisture isn’t sneaking in and forming mold and mildew.

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    Does insurance cover ice dams?

    If an ice dam damages your roof, don’t fret. It’s common for homeowners insurance to cover ice dam damage. American Family’s standard homeowner’s policy covers sudden and accidental damage from leaking roofs and damage from the weight of ice, snow or sleet.

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    Do I Need Homeowners Insurance for a Townhouse?

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    What is the difference between a condo and a townhouse?

    Condos and townhomes may seem similar, but they have a few key differences. A condominium is typically a living space, either a townhome or apartment-style space, that is owned by a condo association and has shared common space among residents that their condo association fees pay for. If a townhome isn’t owned by a condo association, it’s not a condo.

    Townhomes are typically multi-story buildings that share at least one wall with another townhouse. They look a bit like row houses without easements between the buildings. They can be owned by a condo association, rented from a landlord or owned by individual homeowners.

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    What is covered under townhouse insurance?

    There generally isn’t such a thing as “townhouse insurance,” so to understand what’s covered, you’ll need to consider your living situation. If you’re living in a townhome that isn’t owned by a condo association, you’ll want to look into renters or homeowners insurance.

    If you own your townhouse:

    If your townhouse is solely yours and not part of a condo association, you’ll need a homeowners insurance policy to help protect your property. Home insurance for townhouses covers the same things that it would for a regular house, including:

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    • Damage to your home’s structure
    • Theft of or damage to your personal belongings
    • Liability protection if someone is injured on your property

    You can add other coverages to supplement your homeowners policy that can help cover expenses associated with appliance breakdown, flooding or even identity theft. Learn more about what homeowners insurance can help protect.

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    If you rent your townhouse:

    If your townhouse isn’t part of a condo association and you’re renting it, renters insurance can help you protect your personal property in the event of an accident or theft. Renters insurance for a townhouse can help cover things like:

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    • Replacing your personal property after theft
    • Liability protection if someone is injured in your townhome

    Even when you’re away from home, your renters insurance follows you wherever you go.

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    If your townhouse property belongs to a condo association:

    Condo association policies typically only cover common areas and the exterior of the building you live in, although some will cover the interior — but only in its original state. To be sure your personal property and any updates to the interior you’ve made are protected, like granite countertops to replace the original vinyl, you’ll want to get your own condo insurance policy.

    Condo insurance coverage helps protect the things not covered by your condo association’s insurance policy. This includes personal property and personal liability coverage, which can help cover expenses if someone is injured on your property. Even if your condo association insurance policy covers some things that a condo insurance policy might, you should consider condo insurance to take care of any gaps in coverage.

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    Get the Townhouse Insurance Coverage You Need

    If you need help assessing your townhome to understand the right type and amount of protection you need, connect with your American Family Insurance agent. They can help you figure out if you need condo, renters or homeowners insurance and what kind of additional coverages you need to protect what matters most.

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    What Is the Ideal Humidity for a Basement?

    The humidity levels in your basement can impact your home and everyone living inside. It can also affect your valuables, electronics and appliances. In this article, we'll discuss ideal basement humidity levels. We'll also give tips to help you address, monitor and manage moisture in your basement.

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    Normal Basement Humidity Levels

    Ideal basement moisture levels are between 30 - 50%. Anything below 30% is too low and can lead to structural changes in your home, causing gaps between windows and doors. Aside from health issues, insufficient moisture levels can also cause wood floors to creak and damage your belongings.

    Moisture levels above 50% can lead to mildew, mold and bacteria growth. That environment can cause serious health issues. Excessive moisture can also damage walls and carpets, causing your home and belongings to rot.

    Locating Your Basement Humidity Source

    One of the best ways to address basement humidity levels is to manage the moisture at its source. While consulting with a professional is always helpful, you can start your search using the following methods.

    Seal Off Drafts

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    Maintain Your Sump Pump and Vents

    If your sump pits and drains are not airtight, the excess moisture from the pipes can create a humid environment. Maintaining your basement's vents and sump pump can help you manage moisture levels. Consider getting it checked by a professional once every three to four months for optimal performance. 

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    Leaking pipes, washing machines and water heaters can affect your basement's humidity. They can also cause other issues, such as a spike in your utility bills.

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    Managing Your Basement Humidity Levels

    Some humidity issues are more severe than others. However, there are several accessible tools you can use to maintain appropriate moisture levels in your basement and home. Consider the following tips.

    Dehumidifiers

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    Before purchasing yours, consult an expert. They can help you find a suitable model and size that best addresses the humidity in your basement.

    Exhaust Fan

    Another excellent way to manage your basement's humidity levels is to keep it well-ventilated. Installing an exhaust fan is a great option if you can't accomplish that naturally.

    An exhaust fan should be installed in a window or exterior-facing wall to draw the moist air away from your basement. As a bonus, exhaust fans can circulate the air, which helps control unwanted odors.

    Chemical Absorbents

    If you need a fast-acting, inexpensive, moisture-removing option, chemical absorbers, such as silica gel, may be able to help. They're typically sold in home improvement stores and can be placed in other parts of your home as well.

    Humidity Monitor

    A humidity monitor can help you track your basement's humidity levels. Some dehumidifiers and exhaust fans come with them built in. You can also buy a stand-alone model that hangs on your wall.

    Water Leak Detector

    Water leak detectors help you catch leaks early and boast a variety of capabilities, such as sending real-time alerts to your phone.

    You can install them on sinks, appliances and water heaters. Getting one may also qualify you for our smart home discount.

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    How American Family Insurance Can Help Protect Your Home

    Our standard home insurance may help protect you from sudden, accidental water damage. Qualifying events may include burst pipes or broken-down appliances.**

    If you want more protection from unexpected losses, talk to your American Family agent about the following coverages:

    • Hidden Water coverageProvides a broader net of protection for leaks you can’t see within the walls, floors, ceilings, cabinets or anywhere else that isn’t visible in your home.***
    • Inland Flood coverage: Helps you recover after a flash flood or other qualifying event.*** 
    • Flood insurance: With the National Flood Insurance Program, we offer flood damage protection for your home and possessions.†
    • Water back-up coverage: Helps mitigate the cost of repairs caused by water coming back into a home due to a backed-up drain or an overflowing sump.* 

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    *Coverage provided by adding the Inland Flood optional endorsement. This endorsement does not satisfy mandatory flood insurance coverage should it be required by your federally regulated lender for your home mortgage or loan. This insurance product is not affiliated with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Please check with your agent and read the policy and endorsements for exact details on coverage limits and exclusions. Coverage applies after the property deductible has been met.

    *This information represents only a brief description of coverages, is not part of your policy, and is not a promise or guarantee of coverage. If there is any conflict between this information and your policy, the provisions of the policy will prevail. Insurance policy terms and conditions may apply. Exclusions may apply to policies, endorsements, or riders. Coverage may vary by state and may be subject to change. Some products are not available in every state. Please read your policy and contact your agent for

    **Hidden Water Damage coverage is an optional coverage. May not be available in all states. Some restrictions apply to seasonal homes and manufactured homes. The leak must occur from within a plumbing, heating, A/C, fire sprinkler or a home appliance. Refer to your policy documents for coverage limit details. Coverage applies after the property deductible has been met. Mold damage limited to coverage limits provided by your homeowners policy.

    †American Family Insurance is a participating company in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). NFIP is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Flood insurance is a separate policy underwritten by NFIP.