Protect What You Own with Delaware Renter's Insurance

Delaware Renter’s Insurance 

Purchasing a renter’s insurance policy is one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to protect yourself and your belongings while renting your home in Delaware. 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 in Delaware 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.

Is Renters Insurance Required?

No, renters insurance coverage is not required by federal or state laws. However, some landlords may require their tenants to purchase insurance as a stipulation of the lease agreement. Regardless of whether your landlord requires it, purchasing renter’s insurance is a good idea. It’s the only way to gain financial security for your belongings as well as liability protection. 

What Does Renters Insurance Cover? 

Renter’s insurance has three main categories of coverage.

1. 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
2. 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.
3. 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.

Delaware Renters Insurance :

Renters insurance in Delaware protects you and your belongings from a range of perils. Delaware is not among the top states for natural disasters, but severe weather events can occur in all parts of the state. It’s important to protect your belongings financially in case of damage from storms or severe weather. Delaware renters insurance can also cover legal or medical expenses if you are liable for an injury in your home. 

How Much Does Renters Insurance in Delaware Cost? 

What does renters insurance cost in Delaware? Fortunately, Delaware renters insurance is highly affordable. The average yearly cost of renters insurance in Delaware for 2024 is $153, or around $13 per month. This rate is only a dollar more than the national average, making renter’s insurance in Delaware very accessible to all renters. It’s possible to secure the best protection for yourself and your belongings at a reasonable rate. Keep in mind, however, that the cheapest renters insurance companies and policies tend to have higher deductibles (and vice versa). Many renters can also take advantage of renters insurance discounts by bundling their policy with an existing policy, like auto insurance. 

What Are the Most Common Claims in Delaware?

Common renter’s insurance claims in Delaware include losses and damage from burglaries, hurricanes, and storm surges. Delaware residents also experience northeasters, or high-wind storms generated by low pressure systems off the eastern seaboard. High winds from these storms can damage roofs, uproot trees, and damage the property inside a home. 

What Additional Policies Do I Need in Delaware? 

Delaware renters may also need flood insurance. Floods are common in coastal areas due to storms, especially in the southern part of the state. Northeasters can cause massive waves that erode beaches and increase the chances of water damage or flooding for coastal homes.  

According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) data, Delaware experienced over 500 flood events between 1996 and 2019: 102 in Sussex County, 146 in Kent County, and 254 in New Castle County.  

Flood coverage is not included in most renter’s insurance policies, so if your Delaware rental unit is vulnerable to flooding, you will need to purchase flood insurance separately. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) helps renters find a flood insurance policy customized to their individual needs and coverage preferences. 

How to Get Renter’s Insurance in Delaware 

Most major insurance providers offer renter’s insurance, often bundled with auto insurance for a lower price. 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 Assurant. If you’re a renter, regardless of whether your landlord uses Innago, you can purchase a policy and get protection for you and your personal belongings. You can get quick and affordable renters insurance quotes, customize your coverage, and add an additional person onto your policy at no extra cost.