Moving with renters insurance
Keeping coverage continuous when you change apartments or cities.
Update your policy's address before move-in day. Many insurers can transfer coverage to the new address and adjust the premium for the new location.
Belongings in transit may have limited coverage. If you hire movers, ask about their valuation options; if you rent a truck, ask about cargo coverage.
Avoid gaps between the old lease and the new one. A lapse can raise future quotes and may violate the new lease's insurance clause.
Moving is a good time to refresh your home inventory and personal property limit.
Coverage lines on a renters quote
| Coverage | What it pays for | Typical choice |
|---|---|---|
| Belongings (personal property) | Your furniture, clothes, electronics, and gear after a covered loss | Match your inventory total; prefer replacement cost |
| Liability | Damages and defense if you injure someone or damage their property | $300,000 is a popular choice |
| Additional living expenses | Hotel, meals, and extra costs while your rental is repaired | Shown as a dollar amount or percentage |
| Guest medical | Small medical bills for visitors, no fault needed | Usually $1,000–$5,000 |
| Optional add-ons | Water/sewer backup, scheduled valuables, identity restoration | Compare across quotes |
Commonly covered causes of loss
- Fire, smoke, and lightning
- Wind and hail
- Theft and burglary
- Vandalism
- Burst or overflowing plumbing and appliances
- Frozen pipes
- Ice, snow, and sleet weight
- Explosion
- Vehicle or aircraft impact
- Falling objects
Commonly not covered
- Flooding
- Earthquakes
- Pest infestations
- Mold from long-term leaks
- Damage your pet does to the rental
- The building structure
More guides
- How to compare renters quotes side by side
- Replacement cost vs. actual cash value
- Renters home inventory checklist
- Renters insurance for students
- Pets and renters liability
- Water damage and sewer backup for renters
- Bundling renters with auto
- Renters insurance discounts to ask about
- First apartment insurance checklist