Table of contents
Table of contents
If you rent an apartment, condo, or home in Ohio, renters insurance is worth the investment. It can protect your belongings from damage and loss in the event of a fire, theft, and other unexpected circumstances.
A renters policy may also save you from high out-of-pocket expenses if someone gets injured at your rental. On average, renters insurance in Ohio costs $16 per month for $30,000 of personal property coverage and $100,000 in liability coverage. Here’s a closer look at renters policies in the Buckeye State.
Quick Facts
Renters insurance isn’t a legal requirement in Ohio, but some landlords might require their tenants to have it.
A typical renters policy provides coverage for personal property, liability, and additional living expenses.
Since Ohio renters may be at risk for theft, wildfires, and storms, renters insurance is often worthwhile.
How renters insurance works in Ohio
Renters insurance is made up of three basic coverages: personal property coverage, liability insurance, and additional living expenses coverage. Personal property coverage reimburses you for damages or losses related to your belongings, and liability coverage protects you if someone sustains an injury on the property you’re renting.
Additional living expenses coverage comes into play if you can’t live in your rental after a fire or another covered peril and are forced to move elsewhere temporarily. It can help pay for living expenses like rent, food, and transportation.[1]
To buy renters insurance coverage, it’s a good idea to compare rates from multiple insurance companies. A number of factors play a role in the renters insurance premium you’ll pay, like your location, property features, deductible, and coverage limits. Once you decide on a policy, be sure to read the fine print so you know what’s covered.
How to file a renters insurance claim in Ohio
After a covered incident, you can file a renters insurance claim with your insurance company. This process is fairly straightforward:
File a police report. You should do this if your claim is a result of theft or vandalism.
Record lost or damaged items. Take photos and videos of all your damaged items, and include the value of each item if possible.
Contact your insurer. Reach out to your insurance company by phone or email to inform them of the claim.
Fill out the claims form. In most cases, you’ll need to provide your policy number, personal information, details about your covered loss and damaged items, and the estimated cost to replace your belongings.
Best renters insurance companies in Ohio
Many reputable insurance companies serve renters in Ohio. The best renters insurance company for you will depend on your budget, specific needs, and preferences. Five options you may want to explore include Lemonade, Liberty Mutual, State Farm, Nationwide, and Progressive.
| Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | |
|---|
| Lemonade | Starting at $5 | Digital process |
|---|
| Liberty Mutual | Starting at $5 | Affordability |
|---|
| State Farm | $18 | Add-ons |
|---|
| Nationwide | $20 | Personalized service |
|---|
| Progressive | N/A | Discounts |
|---|
What renters insurance covers in Ohio
Renters insurance in Ohio usually includes three main areas: personal property, liability, and additional living expenses. Here’s a closer look at each one and how it can protect you.
Personal property coverage
A renters policy typically reimburses you for the loss of your personal belongings — like clothing, electronics, and furniture — as a result of specific events and natural disasters, such as:
Falling objects
Fire
Smoke
Theft
Vandalism
Windstorms and hail
Liability coverage
Liability insurance covers property damage or injuries to another person that you may be liable for. It may apply in these scenarios:
Legal fees if someone sues you
Lost wages of the injured person
Medical bills if someone gets injured at your rental
You damage someone else’s property
Additional living expenses coverage
If your rental becomes unlivable after a covered event, additional living expenses coverage can pay for the day-to-day costs you may incur, including:
Hotel stays
Pet boarding fees
Restaurant meals
Transportation
Unique considerations for renters insurance in Ohio
As a renter in the Buckeye State, it’s important to consider the following when you’re exploring renters insurance:
Theft
Unfortunately, Ohio is no stranger to theft and property crimes.[2] With a renters insurance policy, you can protect your finances if someone steals your belongings from your rental. Without insurance, you’d have to pay out of pocket to replace your valuable items.
Wildfires
Wildfires can occur in Ohio, especially in the southeast part of the state, where almost 400 are documented each year.[3] Fortunately, renters insurance covers fire damage, including from wildfires.
Storms
Thunderstorms and lightning may cause damage to rental properties in Ohio. The good news is most rental insurance policies cover losses from storms, such as wind or water damage, as long as they’re a named peril on the policy.
How to save on renters insurance in Ohio
With these tips, you can lock in affordable coverage on a renters insurance policy in Ohio.
Shop around. Get renters insurance quotes from at least three different companies. Then, compare the rates, coverage options, products, add-ons, customer service, and reputations to zero in on the best option.
Choose a higher deductible. A higher deductible will lead to cheaper renters insurance. But keep in mind that you’ll have to pay more out of pocket for a covered claim.
Bundle. Many insurers will reward you with a discount if you bundle two or more policies with them. If you have another policy, like car insurance, you may want to buy renters coverage from the same insurer.
Install safety systems. If your landlord allows it, add safety devices to your rental property to save on your renters insurance. These may include security systems and deadbolts.
Look for discounts. Renters insurance companies offer various discounts that can lower your premiums. Pay-in-full discounts, good student discounts, and multi-policy discounts are common.
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