Protect What You Own with Renter's Insurance in Oklahoma

Purchasing a renter’s insurance policy is one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to protect yourself and your belongings while renting your home. A typical policy costs only $10 to $20 per month and can save you much more should unexpected damage or liability occur. 

But despite its affordability and practicality, only about half (55%) of U.S. renters currently have renter’s insurance, most of whom must have a policy per their landlord’s requirements. 

We’ve prepared this article to help you understand why you need renters insurance and how to obtain a policy in this state—from cost and coverage to additional policies you may need.  

What is Renter’s Insurance? 

Renter’s insurance is insurance that covers specific types of losses suffered by renters during their occupation of a rental property. A typical renter’s insurance policy covers personal property, liability protection, and additional living expenses. Renter’s insurance often kicks in after damage from natural disasters, accidents, or other incidents.  

An important note: Renter’s insurance does not cover the actual building itself. The physical building you live in should be covered by your landlord’s insurance. Renters insurance helps protect you and the belongings you own within the property that may be damaged or stolen. 

Why Do I Need Renter’s Insurance? 

Everyone who rents their home—whether that be a single-family home, studio apartment, mobile home, townhome, condo, or other type of property— should have a renter’s insurance policy. This is because even though you don’t own the physical building you are renting, the items you keep within it (or even in your car, or elsewhere) could still be damaged or stolen. 

For example, imagine that a fire occurred in your apartment complex. Your landlord’s insurance would cover the damage to the actual building, appliances, and building systems. However, your landlord is not responsible for replacing all your lost clothes, furniture, electronics, and other belongings. That’s what renter’s insurance is for.  

Renters insurance policies can also cover medical or legal expenses if you are sued. For example, your renter’s insurance would apply if someone gets injured in your home and you are responsible for their medical bills. 

An average renter’s insurance policy includes $20,000 – $30,000 of personal property coverage and doesn’t cost you more than a $20 bill each month. It’s a small price to pay for the great financial security renters insurance offers. 

What Does Renters Insurance Cover? 

Renter’s insurance has three main categories of coverage. 

• Personal Property: Personal property refers to any belongings like clothes, furniture, electronics, etc. Your personal property is subject to limits and requires a deductible. However, your insurance will reimburse you should your personal property get damaged by disasters such as the following:  
• • Fire and smoke 
  • Storms, lightening, wind, hail 
  • Theft 
  • Vandalism 
  • Explosions 
  • Winter weather damage 
  • Damage from infrastructure tearing, cracking, burning, etc. 
  • Sudden, accidental damage from electric currents 

•  
• Liability: Liability coverage pays for your medical or legal bills should you be responsible for an injury on the property or damage to the property itself. 
• Loss of Use/Living Expenses: Loss of use insurance kicks in if the property you rent becomes uninhabitable due to damage or repairs. It pays for your hotel bills and even certain food expenses while you wait for repairs to be completed. 

There are a few disasters renter’s insurance doesn’t cover, like flooding. It’s important to read your renter’s insurance policy to understand what is and isn’t included. If you need coverage that isn’t included, you can purchase add-on policies, such as water backup coverage, theft extension coverage, scheduled valuables coverage, or earthquake and volcano coverage. 

Oklahoma Renters Insurance 

Renters insurance in Oklahoma protects you and your belongings from a range of perils. Oklahoma is among the top states impacted by natural disasters and was ranked third most disaster-prone by U.S. News and World Report. Besides tornadoes (which Oklahoma had 74 of last year), the state also sees wildfires, snow, severe winter storms, heavy rains, and lightning.  

If your home and/or personal belongings are damaged in any of these disasters, your Oklahoma renter’s insurance policy can cover your loss of use expenses and reimburse the cash or replacement value of your lost belongings, depending on your policy. Renter’s insurance can also cover legal or medical expenses if you are liable for an injury in your home. 

What Does Renters Insurance Oklahoma Cost? 

What does renters insurance cost in Oklahoma? Although renter’s insurance rates are overall very affordable, Oklahoma’s premiums are among the highest in the country due to the state’s propensity for certain damages, namely tornadoes. According to NerdWallet, the average Oklahoma renters insurance premium in 2024 is $210, or about $18 a month. Oklahoma’s renters insurance rates are significantly higher than the national average monthly cost of $12, but still relatively inexpensive at less than $20 a month.  

Remember that other factors will influence the cost of your insurance as well, such as the specific risks in your location and the amount of your deductible. The cheapest renters insurance companies and policies tend to have higher deductibles, while more expensive policies will have lower deductibles. 

Regardless of your state and the specifics of your policy, renter’s insurance is well worth the small investment for the financial protection and peace of mind it offers. 

What Are the Most Common Claims in Oklahoma? 

The most common renter’s insurance claim in Oklahoma is damage from storm systems caused by lightning, rain, and/or hail. High winds and tornadoes can also destroy entire homes and personal property within them. An Oklahoma tornado in May of 2013 cost the state an estimated $2 billion in damages. Due to the possibility of heavy wind damage and large losses in some areas, renter’s insurance is extremely important in Oklahoma. 

Losses from property crime are also common in Oklahoma. Oklahoma had the second highest burglary rate in 2021 (behind only New Mexico), with almost 672 burglaries occurring for every 100,000 people in the state. If your belongings are stolen from your home or car, your renter’s insurance policy can reimburse you. 

What Additional Policies Do I Need in Oklahoma? 

Oklahoma renters may also need flood insurance. Flooding is common after storms and near large bodies of water.  

FEMA data shows that flooding has occurred in all Oklahoma counties over the past few decades. Counties on the eastern side of the state are especially vulnerable to flooding—In fact, Le Flore, Tulsa, Ottawa, and Cherokee Counties experienced more than 100 flood events between 1996 and 2019. 

If your home is in a floodplain or has a high likelihood of flooding, flood coverage may be needed. Flood coverage is typically excluded from most renter’s insurance policies, so a separate policy is necessary. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) helps renters find a flood insurance policy customized to their individual needs and coverage preferences. 

How to Get Renters Insurance in Oklahoma 

Most major insurance providers offer Oklahoma renters insurance, often bundled with auto insurance for renters insurance discounts. To determine your policy and coverage details, your insurer will typically ask you a few questions about the rental unit (such as the type of building, year it was built, and address) and the dollar value or replacement cost of high-value personal belongings you own. You’ll be able to tailor your policy and coverage details to your needs. 

Get Renter’s Insurance with Innago 

Innago offers renter’s insurance through our partnership with Viaffinity. If you’re a renter, regardless of whether your landlord uses Innago, you can purchase a renters insurance policy and get protection for you and your personal belongings. You can get quick and affordable quotes, customize your coverage, and add an additional person onto your policy at no extra cost.