Man and his dog looking over the ocean

Renters Coverage That Follows You

Updated April 5, 2017 . AmFam Team

If you’re always on the go, you need protection that follows you. See how renters insurance helps safeguard your dreams no matter how far from home they take you.

You may already know that renters insurance protects your personal belongings and even helps you out in the event you’re held liable for an accident on your rental property — but there is more to this affordable coverage than you may think. If you’re someone who is always on the go, whether it be for work or adventure, you need protection that follows you. Let’s see how renters insurance helps safeguard your dreams no matter how far from home they take you.

How Rental Insurance Works

Just because you don’t own your living space doesn’t mean everything you own isn’t worth protecting — even when you’re on the go. The coolest part about renters insurance is that it covers your personal property basically anywhere you travel. This means whether your destination is a short walk to a convenience store, a drive across town or a flight to the other side of the country, your renters insurance acts as an invisible shield around you and your possessions. However, there are limits to the coverage, such as limited coverage if traveling outside of the country , and that’s why it’s important to know exactly how you’re being protected.

So, Where Exactly Does Renters Insurance Cover You?

Let’s take a look at some common questions you might ask concerning renters insurance.

What does renter’s insurance cover at the place where I’m renting? Renters insurance not only helps protect your belongings should something happen to them from the unthinkable — like fire, theft, water damage, etc., but our liability and medical coverages will help pay for property damage, first aid, medical and court costs. Your agent will help you choose coverage that makes sense for your specific belongings, lifestyle and budget.

Does renters insurance cover my personal property when I’m on-the-go? Yup! Let’s say you bike to your favorite coffee shop to get some work done, and you momentarily leave your laptop unattended — giving someone just enough time to steal it. Your renters insurance has your back!

Does renters insurance cover my personal property I bring along while I’m on vacation? If you’re on vacation and someone breaks into your hotel room and steals your computer, perhaps a camera or even money, your renters insurance coverage will help you out. You’re also provided coverage up to 10% of your policy limits when traveling outside the United States.

Does renters insurance include liability coverage when I’m on-the-go, too? In many cases, you are protected by liability insurance when you’re out and about, but there are limitations and exclusions. This could be especially true for travel and if you’re going to be doing specific types of activities. The best thing to do is speak to your agent about what is and isn’t covered to determine if and when you may need extra coverage.

What if I’m traveling overseas? Will renters insurance work like travel insurance? Your renters insurance does not cover you the same way travel insurance does, but if you’re traveling overseas, your personal property has some coverage through your renters insurance policy. Keep in mind, the coverage is limited if you’re relying just on your renters insurance, and your belongings might not be fully covered in the event anything is stolen, broken or lost.

Travel insurance has useful extended coverage options that aren’t included in your renters insurance, such as trip cancellation fees, lost baggage expense, meals and accommodation for a delayed trip, trip reimbursement and even medical coverage.

Our advice? If you’re traveling out of the country, talk to your American Family agent about your options when it comes to travel insurance.

Understanding Your Coverage Limit

We mentioned coverage limits, but what exactly does that mean? Here’s a quick overview. Every renters insurance policy has a coverage limit, which means your policy has a maximum amount it will pay given you have any personal property or liability losses. How can you find out what your coverage limit is? It’s simple. Take a peek at your policy, or better yet, call up your American Family Insurance agent to get all the details you need. They’ll help you figure out just the right limit to protect what matters most.

Everything you own makes you uniquely you, and that’s worth protecting. Now that you know renters insurance protects you in more ways than one, what are you waiting for? Connect with your agent (Opens in a new tab) to get customized renters insurance that works for you on-the-go.

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