Can you share renters insurance with your roommates?

Sometimes renters insurance does cover you as well as your roommate, though it can vary by the state you live in. The insurance provider and the policy itself are also deciding factors.

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The best thing to do is to be open with your roommates and ask to see the policy so you can read it over thoroughly. If all of that fine print is too much for you, you can also simply contact the insurance agent or company for clarification on what is covered.

The State’s Policy

In some cases, your roommate’s renters insurance might not cover your items. Policies usually do not cover the building or appliances, as your landlord owns these things and has his/her own insurance policy actively covering them. In the eyes of the insurance company, you and your roommate’s items are completely separate and would require a separate policy. Most insurance companies even require an itemized list of every item that is to be covered by the policy.

Insurance Foibles between Roommates

Remember, the insurance company is a company out to make money. If they covered just any person’s items with no additional cost, then policyholders could put down any number of items on a claim and the insurance company would quickly go out of business.

If your roommate’s policy does cover you, they will have to add that big screen TV of yours onto their insurance policy, and pay for it! Your roommate’s premiums going up for your stuff doesn’t seem exactly fair, does it? Only you know what you own and its monetary value, and only you should be responsible for getting insurance coverage on these items.

Even if you can find an insurance company in your area that allows both you and your roommate to share a single policy, and you are going to split the cost, you may want to be cautious before signing on that dotted line.

• Are you ready to split the cost of premiums with someone, especially if you don’t know them all that well?
• Will there be trouble if your new roommate decides to buy a very expensive computer or piece of jewelry and add it onto the policy, thus increasing your rates?
• What happens if one of you moves out?

It may be simpler to have separate polices. That way you can be in charge of what you want covered and the prices you are paying. It is also less expensive for you if your roommate continually adds new expensive items to the policy!

Other Considerations for Renters Insurance

Another thing to consider is whether or not your roommate is staying with you for the long term. Constantly having to add and remove items from your policy can be quite a headache.

Avoid unnecessary roommate drama by finding separate but affordable renters insurance. If you are moving in with someone new and they are expecting you to split every single bill, then you will need to broach the subject of insurance with them right at the start.

Another way to be able to share renter’s insurance is if you two roommates end up falling in love and getting married. Then you can share the same renters insurance…assuming of course that you both now co-own all the items in the home. Of course, getting married just to share the cost of renters insurance might be a bit of a stretch. Renters insurance only runs about $200 per year or less.

When looking for a new renter’s insurance policy, be sure to shop around for the best prices. Be sure to always read the fine print and ask every question you have until you completely and thoroughly understand what the policy you are buying covers. Having your own renters insurance policy will surely give you peace of mind so that you can stop worrying about your items, and roommates, and start enjoying them!

Why not use the web chaser tool right now and compare renters insurance rates today?