Does Renters Insurance Cover a Fall Outside the Home?
Many renters believe that when they rent an apartment or home, the property owner's insurance policy will pay for any property damage or injuries sustained by occupants or guests of the apartment. However, the landlord's insurance policy typically only covers the physical structure of the home or apartment. In order to cover your personal property and protect yourself against liability from injuries, including falls that occur outside the home, you will need to purchase renter's insurance.
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Liability for Injuries
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Renter's insurance policies are primarily designed to provide coverage for the replacement of your personal property inside your rented home or apartment. However, most renter's insurance policies also provide liability coverage, which pays if a guest is injured while inside your rented property. It also provides coverage for injuries that occur outside the walls of the rented home or apartment unit, as long as you, your property or your pet caused the injuries.
Liability Examples
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The liability portion of your renter's insurance policy would pay if a guest trips and falls over a piece of furniture inside your home. It would also provide coverage for falls that occur outside the walls of the home or apartment; for example, if a guest slips and falls on the driveway or sidewalk. If your pet knocks over a guest and the resulting fall causes injuries, whether on or off the rented property, your renter's insurance policy would provide coverage.
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Exclusions
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Although a renter's insurance policy covers fall-related injuries both inside and outside your rented apartment or home, it typically does not provide protection for injuries that occur in common areas of an apartment building. If a guest falls down a flight of stairs that provides access to multiple apartment units, the guest's injuries would not be covered. Renter's insurance also does not cover injuries sustained by you or other people living in your apartment or rented home.
Limits
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Renter's insurance will only pay for covered injuries up to the maximum limit stated on your policy's declarations page. A coverage limit is the most your liability coverage will pay for injuries sustained in a single accident, regardless of the extent of the injuries. If a guest falls on your driveway and sustains $150,000 in injuries, and you have a policy limit of $100,000, you would be responsible for the additional $50,000. Renter's insurance liability limits typically range from $100,000 to $500,000.
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