How to File a Renter's Insurance Claim

Filing a renter’s insurance claim can help you repair and replace your possessions against losses from fire or smoke, lightning, vandalism, theft, explosion, windstorm, and water damage from plumbing, if you are living in a rented accommodation. It also covers your responsibility to other people injured within your home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. As soon as you realize a loss, contact your insurance agent or company. However, if you are a theft victim, first report it to the police and secure a copy of the complaint.

2. Enquire about the expected time of claim process and requirement of repair estimates

3. Fill the claim form sent to you by the insurance agent and support it with pictures of damaged possessions and video footage (if possible), as it strengthens the claim.

4. Attach a detailed inventory of the damaged items. The better you draft your claim, the easier your claim will be processed.

5. If you’re forced out of your rented property because of a natural disaster, your living expenses may be covered by some renter's insurance policies. Preserve copies of your hotel bills, temporary rentals, restaurant bills and other living expenses incurred while the property is being repaired or rebuilt.

6. Once the claim is negotiated, payment generally doesn’t take too long.
   

Tips & Warnings

• You should take photographs of all your possessions, especially expensive ones, as soon as you move in. In case of theft, these photographs will strengthen your claim.
• Renter's insurance does not cover damage to your rented property, only your possessions
• Renter's insurance may not cover damage caused by floods
• Coverage of certain items may be limited