Things You'll Need:
- Itemized list of your belongings with their approximate costs
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Step 1
Decide whether you want to get a lower premium for insurance coverage that only pays the current value of your belongings or a higher premium for insurance that pays the replacement cost of your belongings.
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Step 2
Determine an approximate amount you could to pay for each loss or damage to your property, and consider this amount for your policy deductible.
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Step 3
Estimate the cost of high-value items you own, such as jewelry, electronic equipment, musical instruments and art. Such items will require additional coverage, called a rider or a floater policy.
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Step 4
Ascertain whether the house you rent is in a geographical area that is prone to floods, hurricanes, tornadoes or other unusual "acts of God." If it is, you will need policy additions to cover these conditions.
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Step 5
Find a reputable insurance company that is licensed to operate in your state, and ask the company's representative for a quote.
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Step 6
Ask how much coverage the basic policy provides for personal-injury protection and medical liability. Determine how much the insurance company will pay per injury and per hospitalization for anyone who is accidentally injured while in or around your home. This is especially important if you regularly have guests in your home.
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Step 7
Ask whether there are any policy discounts available to you based on your age, gender, vocation, military status, or grade-point average. You may be eligible for a discount if you get car or life insurance with the same company.
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Step 8
Compare your home renters insurance quote with quotes from at least two other reputable and licensed companies through NetQuote.com (see Resources below).
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Step 9
Deduce which company offers the best price for the policy and the kind of customer service that you want. Find service comparisons at ConsumerReports.com (see Resources below).
