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Does Renter’s Insurance Cover Damage From Natural Disasters?

Many renters assume their property is covered under their landlord’s insurance policy. Unfortunately, when disasters strike, they may be left with little or no option to recover their property since their landlord’s insurance policy only covers the home or building they rent, but not their personal property in the building.

Renter’s insurance offers financial reimbursement to cover tenant’s damaged or lost goods under the right condition – as well as liability in the case that a guest is injured on the premises. But does renter’s insurance cover damage from natural disasters? Renter’s insurance offers some form of coverage for renter’s property damaged due to natural disaster, so let’s take a closer look at what is covered.

Natural Disasters Covered by Renters Insurance

Fire

Renter’s insurance includes coverage for fire and lightning damage. You’ll be reimbursed for damage to your property caused by both smoke and flames. However, the compensation you will receive depends on your deductible, the amount of renter insurance coverage you purchase, and whether you opt for replacement cost or cash value coverage for your property.

Tornadoes

Most renter’s insurance policies offer coverage for wind damage, so you don’t have to purchase tornado policies separately. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes were one of the major causes of insured losses from a natural disaster in the United States, so ensuring that you have the proper coverage set in place is crucial.

Weight of ice, snow, or sleet

If your property is destroyed when the weight of snow or ice causes the roof to collapse, your policy will pay for the costs of what was damaged when the roof fell. However, the policy does not cover the damage to your roof because it should be covered under your landlord’s insurance for the actual home.

Natural Disasters Not Covered by Renters Insurance?

Floods

Renter’s insurance does not provide coverage for flooding, especially if the flooding is a result of a natural disaster. Your renter’s insurance policy only provides coverage for flood damage if it was caused by faulty plumbing.

Earthquakes

A standard renter’s insurance policy also doesn’t include coverage for earthquakes. You’ll have to purchase coverage for this separately.

Landslides or Mudslides

Insurance companies consider landslides and mudslides to be earth movement, which is an excluded peril that does not qualify for coverage.


Although Minnesota does not require renters’ to get renter’s insurance, it still is a good idea to look into this type of coverage so you can determine if this is a policy that will benefit you. To learn more about renter’s insurance in Minnesota, please contact All Things Insurance.