Protect What You Own with Kentucky Renter's Insurance

Kentucky 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 Kentucky. 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 Kentucky 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.

Kentucky Renters Insurance :

Renters insurance in Kentucky protects you and your belongings from a range of perils. Although Kentucky sees fewer types of natural disasters than other states, heavy rainfall, winds, hail, storms, or other severe weather events may damage your home and the property within it. Liability and property crimes like theft are also possible while renting your home. Your Kentucky renters insurance company can reimburse you if you incur any of these losses, up to your coverage limits and minus your deductible. 

How Much Does Renters Insurance in Kentucky Cost? 

Many renters are understandably concerned about the renters insurance cost factor. Fortunately, renters insurance rates in Kentucky are very affordable. According to NerdWallet, the average renters insurance premium for 2024 in Kentucky is $141, or about $12 a month. However, keep in mind that the cheapest renters insurance policies will have higher deductibles, while more expensive policies will likely have lower deductibles. Renters insurance discounts are often available for bundling with an existing policy, like your car insurance. Regardless of the specific policy you choose, Kentucky renters insurance is generally very affordable and well worth the small investment it requires.  

What Are the Most Common Claims in Kentucky?

Common renters insurance claims in Kentucky include losses due to burglary, breaking and entering, and theft. In 2021, there were 346 burglaries in Kentucky for every 100,000 people. According to Neighborhood Scout, the chances of becoming the victim of a property crime in Kentucky is 1 in 69. If your property is stolen, damaged, or vandalized from your home or vehicle, renters insurance can refund you either the replacement cost or cash value.  

Additionally, although Kentucky does not see as many natural disasters as other states, damage due to storms, high winds, heavy rains, and other extreme weather events are always possible. Damage due to one of these severe weather events is also covered under a Kentucky renters insurance policy. 

What Additional Policies Do I Need in Kentucky? 

Kentucky renters may also choose to purchase flood insurance. Flooding can occur after heavy rains or rising water levels near large bodies of water. 

FEMA data from the past decade shows that flooding most commonly occurs in the western and southeastern parts of Kentucky. Some counties, such as Pike County, have seen more than 100 flood events between 1996 and 2019. 

If your home is within a floodplain or has previously flooded, investing in flood coverage is a smart decision. 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 Renter’s Insurance in Kentucky 

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.