Renters Insurance

Consumers can often save hundreds of dollars by simply picking up the phone and comparing insurance rates, “To make this process easier, consumers can use this guide as they shop for the best deal on home insurance.”

The guide contains information and tips about purchasing homeowners and renters insurance. It also includes the results of an annual survey of insurers offering home, rental and condominium insurance. This information provides consumers with information about rates charged by these insurers. It is an important part of the overall effort of the Granholm Administration to help protect and aid consumers.

OFIS constantly stresses that consumers shop around to receive the best price for home insurance. Consumers who renew insurance, or purchase insurance for the first time, should not assume that the first quote they receive is the best price they can get. Shopping around to many different insurance companies will allow them to choose the best available premium rate.

“Insurance rates can vary from company to company, so it's important to shop around,” Watters “The 2006 Buyers' Guide to Home Insurance is a valuable tool for doing that effectively.”

Because discounts can drastically affect the premiums consumers pay, the Guide now includes an example of how various discounts can reduce the final premium. The Guide also lists commonly used discounts and which companies provide them. Discounts listed include smoke detectors, deadbolts, fire extinguishers, and mature homeowners.

“Consumers should definitely take a look at the list of discounts they can qualify for, and how much they can save.” “In some cases, the initial premium can be cut in half after taking advantage of all the available discounts.”.

A wide variety of renters insurance discounts are available, ranging from safety and security devices you use to lessen your risk of injury or loss due to theft, to how close you live to a fire department. The list, compiled by the Insurance Information Institute (III), shows ways you can save on renters insurance, taking advantage of many of the same discounts available to homeowners.

"Renters insurance is almost identical to homeowners, the only difference is that you're not paying to insure the structure in which you live," says Jeanne Salvatore, director of consumer affairs for the III. The discounts will vary by state and insurance company. Be sure to ask for all of the discounts for which you qualify.

1. Shop around
Check with several different renters insurance companies to get rate quotes (an independent insurance agent can provide rate quotes from a variety of companies). Check with friends and relatives to see if they are satisfied with their insurance company.

2. Raise your deductible
The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay toward a loss before your insurance kicks in. Typically, renters insurance deductibles start at $250.

Increase your deductible to:
$500 and save up to 12 percent on your premiums.
$1,000 and save up to 24 percent.
$2,500 and save up to 30 percent.
$5,000 and save up to 37 percent.
Make sure you can afford to pay the higher deductible out-of-pocket if something should happen.
3. Maintain a good credit rating
Having a good credit rating is one of the best ways to lower the cost of any policy. An insurance company screener will want to know not only how well you pay your bills, but insurance companies use this tool as a predictor of your likelihood to file a claim. And having a good credit rating is one way of helping you to secure the apartment or lease you want, as your landlord will probably review the same information.

4. Buy your renters and auto policies from the same company
Many companies will give a multiline discount if you buy both renters insurance and auto coverage from them.

5. Install safety and security devices in the apartment
Some companies may look favorably on you if install smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher, and dead bolt door locks and window locks in your apartment. Ask the landlord to install these items if you live in a state in which these items aren't required. Few companies would ask for anything more than a statement from you saying these items are included in the apartment.

6. Stop smoking
Smoking accidents account for more than 23,000 residential fires every year. Some insurers offer to reduce premiums if no resident of the apartment smokes.

7. Look for senior discounts
Insurance companies have found that retired people stay at home more and spot fires sooner than working people. If you're at least 55 years old and retired, you might qualify for as much as a 10 percent discount.

8. Look for group coverage
Large employers and alumni and business associations often work out deals with insurance companies which include discounts for employees and members.

9. Stay with an insurer
If you've kept your coverage with a company for several years, you may receive special consideration. Several insurers will reduce their premiums by 5 percent after you stay with them from three to five years, and some companies will discount you as much as 10 percent after six years.

10. Check your policy annually
You want your policy to reflect the value of your belongings. If you review your policy every year, you will be able to make the necessary adjustments. If you bought or sold expensive electronics, a computer or jewelry during the year, you may need to increase or decrease the amount of coverage for your possessions.