Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to find your home on fire, rushing outside to call 911, watching CKFR firefighters arrive on scene to battle the blaze, only to witness everything you own damaged by fire and smoke. What would you do if all your belongings literally become damaged or destroyed in a fire? Would you have the money to replace your belongings?
You might not think you own a whole lot, but if you were to quickly inventory everything you have, you might be surprised at how much it would cost you to replace your things. Do you have the cash and resources to replace your computer, telephone, cell phone, iPod, stereo, television, DVD player, DVD movies, bed, clothes, shoes, jewerly, dishes, sports equipment, or children’s toys? Of course you don’t; you need renter’s insurance!
Whether you rent an apartment, house, or manufactured home, renter’s insurance assists in the recovery of your belongings. If your home is damaged or destroyed for reasons including fire, windstorm, theft, water damage due to broken plumbing, etc. your landlord is not responsible for your property. The landlord’s insurance only protects the buildings and infrastructure for the buildings, not the contents of the building—something you don’t want to discover after your rental home or apartment has been damaged or robbed.
According to a national survey conducted by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) over 67 percent of U.S. renters are currently risking servere financial loss by going without renter’s insurance coverage. That statistic probably holds true for renters in Central Kitsap. During 2006, CKFR responded to a number of home fires involving renters. Sadly, in 2006, of the fires to which CKFR responded, only one of the renters had any sort of insurance coverage to help replace their belongings. Firefighters witness firsthand the destruction and devastation a family faces in the event of any fire. They know that the loss can be even more overwhelming when there is no insurance coverage to replace personal items. While the American Red Cross can assist with immediate needs, such as a place to sleep for a night or two, they cannot assist with the overwhelming task of recovery. Renter’s insurance can replace more than any community organization can provide.
Coverage for renter’s insurance is widely available and affordable in Kitsap County. According to a local insurance agent, renter’s insurance in Kitsap County starts around $12 per month for $25,000 of property coverage and $500,000 of liability coverage.
If you rent and don’t have renter’s insurance, call around today for a policy that meets your needs and budget. Don’t wait until it is too late to realize the importance of renter’s insurance.
