Renters Insurance - Why You Need It

If you are currently renting your home or apartment, it’s time to learn more about renters insurance! 

Homeowners insurance covers the house itself and the items inside.  But if you don’t own the home, you don’t need insurance to cover it.  All you need is coverage for your actual personal belongings.

It might not seem like a lot, but all those little items add up!  When you think about the cost to replace your furniture, dishes, sheets, clothes, books, and everything else filling up your home, it’s probably a lot more than you thought. 

Renters insurance is an affordable way to protect what you’ve worked hard to acquire.  And it’s probably a lot cheaper than you’d expect!  In fact, many times the discount you receive on your auto insurance for having multiple policies can almost pay for the entire renters policy!

Renters Insurance will cover personal belongings within your home as well as a limited amount of property off premises (such as items in a storage building) or your laptop when it’s in the car. 

It also includes important liability coverage.  If you accidentally cause a fire that burns down the property, your insurance pays the landlord to replace it (protecting you from a damaging lawsuit).  In fact, many landlords now require that tenants carry a certain amount of liability insurance before they approve the lease. 

So if you’re renting, it’s time to look at protecting your valuables.  Give us a call today or visit us online and ask for a no obligation quote on renters insurance.  And don’t forget to find out how much you’ll save on your auto insurance too!  

At Bryan Insurance we are the leading experts in New Windsor, Long Island, the Hudson Valley and New York for renters insurance. 

Insuring Your Wedding Rings

Did you know that June is the most popular month for weddings? 

I’ve seen many of my clients planning and preparing for their wedding over the next few weeks.  So I thought I’d share an insurance tip this week just for engaged couples and newlyweds.

You’re spending a lot of money on your wedding and those new rings.  Make sure they’re covered! 

Jewelry is covered under your Homeowners or Renters insurance.  BUT…the coverage amount can be limited and on top of that, you will have to pay your normal deductible if something happens to that piece. If you don’t cover the individual piece of jewelry specifically, you might not have enough coverage to replace it if it were to be lost or stolen.

Here’s what I recommend: Get an appraisal of your rings from the jeweler.  Then bring in a copy and we can quickly let you know what it would be to add the rings to your policy.  (We can also discuss deductibles or special coverage.)  Depending on the value of the ring, you might spend only a few dollars a year to know that your valuable jewelry is insured. This is peace of mind knowing that even if the stone fell out you are covered worldwide.

If you are renting or getting ready to purchase a home and don’t have a policy, now is a great time to schedule a free consultation to discuss what coverage you’ll need and give you a ballpark figure for what it will cost.  Renters Insurance is very inexpensive and can give you a lot of peace of mind as you combine your two households.

But the best tip I can give?  Talk to a local insurance agent you can trust!  We’ll look out for you and help you get the right coverage at an affordable rate.  Call today or visit us online for a free quote. 888-565-2212

At the Bryan Agency, we are your leading local insurance agent in New Windsor, Long Island, and New York for Wedding insurance, home insurance, and jewelry insurance.

Tips to Save on Renters Insurance

All renters should consider purchasing renters insurance. Yes, the building itself is covered by your landlord. But, your personal belongs are up to you to protect. However, we understand that people are on budgets, so we've put together some information to help you save on renters insurance.

First, if you can afford it, try to pay a year's worth of insurance in a lump sum. Insurance providers often give discounts to those who pay in a lump sum. If you can't do that, then pay biannually or quarterly to knock off a few processing fees per year.

Second, know what you have. Take an inventory and see how much it would cost you to replace furniture, clothes and the rest of your belongings. Determining an accurate value of your possessions will help you if you have to file a claim. On the other hand, if you can't afford to insure everything at replacement cost, you can at least get renters insurance for part of the value and save money that way. Just know that if you chose this route, you probably won't have enough insurance money to replace everything if there is a problem.

Third, discuss your insurance options with your independent insurance agent to see what you can do without. If you don't need coverage for displacement (in other words, if you know you could live with family or friends for a while), then ask your agent if there is a discount for not having that coverage.

Fourth, bundle your coverage together. If your car and renters insurance are from the same company, you can save on both policies.

These four ways require some tough decisions on your part. So, while we advocate that you are fully insured, we also understand that you might have a tight budget. For that reason, we work hard to help you save money.

Learn how much you could save today. Call Bryan Insurance Agency at (845) 565-2200 for more information on Long Island renters insurance.

Affordable Insurance for Renters

I rent my home. Am I covered for losses under my landlord's homeowners or landlord insurance?

No. Your landlord cannot insure your personal property - your personal computer, clothes, stereo, television, jewelry, furniture, bicycle, artwork and other items against destruction or loss. Renters insurance, however, will give you both property and liability insurance and it's very affordable, typically costing less per month than a cable bill.


Is a renters insurance policy inferior to a homeowners insurance policy?

No. Renters insurance provides essentially the same coverage as homeowners insurance, but without coverage on the dwelling. It covers personal property, protecting the renter against many causes of loss, such as fire and smoke, lightning, vandalism, theft, explosion, windstorm and water damage from plumbing as well as offering coverage for personal liability.


Does renters insurance cover all of my possessions?

It depends. Some possessions - jewelry, firearms, silverware are subject to a per category theft limit. Most renters policies set a $1,500 total limit on jewelry that is stolen, a $2,500 limit on firearms and a $2,500 limit on silverware or flatware. Many people feel that their pets are their prized possessions. Unfortunately when it comes to insurance, your pets are not covered. Other items money, securities, personal records, watercraft and others are subject to special limits of liability. If your valuables exceed these limits, you may want to consider purchasing a floater, which provides additional coverage for some of your items.


What if my family and I cannot live in our home because of damage caused by a fire?

Your renters insurance will pay for your living expenses that exceed those normally incurred before the loss, if an occurrence renders your home or apartment unfit to live in. This is a true benefit if you are required to live in a hotel for any length of time or pay for meals at a restaurant while your place is being renovated.


Will I be covered under my renters insurance if I am sued by someone who was seriously injured at my residence?

Yes. If a lawsuit covered by your policy is filed against you or against a relative living with you, your personal liability coverage under a renters policy will pay for legal defense costs and attorneys fees. It will protect you if you accidentally cause bodily injury to others or damage someone else's property either at your residence or away from your residence.

OK I'm convinced. What should I be on the lookout for in selecting a policy or in checking my existing coverage?

When purchasing renters insurance, choose a policy wisely to be sure that all your possessions are covered. To begin, renters should take a home inventory, noting the description and value of their belongings. A copy of this inventory should be stored in a safe place outside of the home, such as a safe-deposit box. The inventory will be of great assistance later if you need to file a claim.
Also, be sure to inquire about property not covered under renters insurance, theft limits and other special limits. We'll provide you with a list of standard coverage limits, so you know whether you'll need to buy a floater.

If your apartment or home has a security system, smoke detectors or deadbolt locks, you may be eligible for discounts on your renters insurance. Call us today we'll be happy to explain the many options available to you.

845-565-2200
Bryan Insurance Agency, LLC
3068 Route 9W Suite 500
New Windsor, NY 12553
www.bryanagency.com