Does home insurance apply to me if I’m renting?

Renting a home or an apartment in Pomona, California may mean that the appropriate insurance to protect your personal belongings will differ from the needs of a homeowner. As a renter, you may not need a home insurance policy. Instead, you will want to consider a renter’s policy that specifically addresses the type of situations you may face.

Renter’s Plans

A renter’s insurance policy is designed to address your specific situation and needs. Depending on the plan that you are considering, the details of the coverage may vary. In general, it will protect your personal belongings from common threats and it will provide some liability protection in case an accident takes place on the property.

Home insurance may not apply to your situation because you do not own the property. The risks that you want to address may not align with the basic policies that are designed for homeowners.

Selecting the Right Plan

As a renter, your needs may focus on your personal belongings and the risks that you are likely to face. You may want a plan that provides protection against theft, damages to your belongings from a fire or even the cost of staying a hotel if your apartment or rented space is damaged and you cannot live in the property.

Depending on your goals, budget and concerns, the best plan for your situation may vary. Comparing your options and getting several quotes will help you narrow down the choices so that you can find a plan that is appropriate.

Renting an apartment or house is different from owning the property. Your level of responsibility is limited, but you may have other concerns to address. Contact us to talk to an agent for more information about the insurance that is appropriate for your needs.

What do I do if my vehicle is stolen and the original policy is lost?

Nobody wants to walk out to the parking lot or a street where their car is parked and discover that the vehicle has been stolen. It is an uncomfortable moment, especially when your original policy is kept in your car or when you have lost the policy documentation.

Call the Police

The first step after any theft is calling the police and reporting the theft. Whether you have your car insurance policy or you have lost the policy, the police will make a formal report.

During the process of making a report, you will need to provide some basic information. The police may ask for the make, model and VIN of the car. License plates may also be useful so that the authorities can take steps to try finding your vehicle if it has not yet left the area.

Call Your Insurer

Even if you do not have the original policy, your insurer will usually maintain a copy of your policy for their records. Call your insurer after you have talked to the police and report the situation.

You may be asked to provide a copy of the police report to the insurer to prove that the theft took place. Depending on your car insurance policy, the solutions and funds that you may be provided can vary. Some insurers may pay to replace the vehicle while others may offer a lower payment based on the depreciation rates. If you do not have the original policy, then ask for a copy of the policy at the time you report the situation.

It is frustrating and scary to discover that your car is missing, but that does not mean you cannot make a claim on your insurance policy. Contact us to talk to an agent to learn more about your coverage options.

Can I cover myself against damage by pets under homeowner’s insurance policy?

Protecting your property under a homeowner’s insurance policy does not mean that every situation and problem is covered. In general, any damages that are caused by normal wear and tear, as well as damages from your pets or family members, are not covered under a basic policy.

Damages to Your House

In most cases, insurers will not protect your house from any damages that are related to your pet. A pet is optional and is often considered a member of the family, so the wear and tear that results from a cat scratching the walls or a dog’s claws tearing up the floors will not usually be covered under a policy.

Any damages that are not directly related to your pet or normal wear and tear may be covered, but every situation and policy is different, so the details may vary.

Bites and Injuries

Even though your property may not be covered from your pet, it is possible that you will have coverage to protect against liability concerns. If your pet causes an injury to a guest, neighbor or other individual, then you may have coverage to pay for those medical bills and related expenses.

Bites are usually covered as long as the insurer does not exclude the specific breed. Your homeowner’s insurance plan may have variations on the situations that are covered, so make sure that you read and review the plan before you assume that a particular problem is covered.

The amount of coverage that is available for a pet in your home can vary, but it does not usually extend to the damages to the floors, walls or other structural elements of your property. Contact us to talk to an agent for more details about your coverage.

Protecting your property under a homeowner’s insurance policy does not mean that every situation and problem is covered. In general, any damages that are caused by normal wear and tear, as well as damages from your pets or family members, are not covered under a basic policy.

Damages to Your House

In most cases, insurers will not protect your house from any damages that are related to your pet. A pet is optional and is often considered a member of the family, so the wear and tear that results from a cat scratching the walls or a dog’s claws tearing up the floors will not usually be covered under a policy.

Any damages that are not directly related to your pet or normal wear and tear may be covered, but every situation and policy is different, so the details may vary.

Bites and Injuries

Even though your property may not be covered from your pet, it is possible that you will have coverage to protect against liability concerns. If your pet causes an injury to a guest, neighbor or other individual, then you may have coverage to pay for those medical bills and related expenses.

Bites are usually covered as long as the insurer does not exclude the specific breed. Your homeowner’s insurance plan may have variations on the situations that are covered, so make sure that you read and review the plan before you assume that a particular problem is covered.

The amount of coverage that is available for a pet in your home can vary, but it does not usually extend to the damages to the floors, walls or other structural elements of your property. Contact us to talk to an agent for more details about your coverage.