Will renters insurance cover damage caused by natural disasters?

If you live in a rental property, it’s vital that you get renters insurance to protect your personal property and help you find alternative accommodation in case something happens. Although natural disasters don’t happen as often in Michigan as in some other states, they still happen and could damage your property. Remember that the frequency and severity of natural disasters have risen over the last few decades due to climate change. This might leave you wondering if your renter’s insurance covers damage to your personal property from natural disasters. 

At Luft Insurance Agency serving Escanaba, MI, we recommend that you always find out whatever a policy covers and doesn’t cover before you purchase it. Most renters insurance policies cover conventional natural disasters such as fires from lightning and wildfires, tornadoes, and rain damage but not from flooding, snow damage, windstorms, smoke damage, and hurricanes. If your property sustains damage from any of these perils, your renter’s policy will kick in and provide you with financial compensation. 

However, not every renter’s policy has loss-of-use coverage, which provides alternative accommodation in case you can no longer live in your home due to a covered peril. Therefore, it’s vital to check that your policy has this coverage if you will need alternative accommodation in the event of a peril that renders your home unlivable. Remember that if you can no longer live in your rented house, it can be pretty expensive to pay out of pocket to live in a decent hotel or motel for an extended period, especially if you have a family. You should know that not all natural disasters are covered by renters’ policies. Damage by earth movement (sinkholes and earthquakes) and floods aren’t covered.

Do you need renters insurance in Escanaba, MI? At Luft Insurance Agency, we have unrivaled renters insurance offerings. Contact us today to learn about the perks of renters insurance.