Three Key Differences Between Homeowner's Insurance And Renter's Insurance
If you are at a crossroads in your life, and you are about to make the move from renter to homeowner, you may be surprised to learn about homeowner's insurance. It is very different from renter's insurance. Here are some of the key differences for which you will have to adjust.
Renter's Insurance Only Covers Your Belongings
Your landlord has insurance that covers his/her property and the apartments in which you dwell, but it does not cover your belongings because your stuff is not his/hers. There is a major shift over to homeowner's insurance because you are moving your stuff into a property and a home for which you are taking ownership. Instead of your insurance covering just your stuff, your new insurance covers damages to your home, other buildings on the property (including a garage), loss of belongings to fire, theft, flood, tornado, "acts of God," etc. The biggest difference here is that homeowner's insurance replaces everything and restores everything lost to these damaging scenarios.
Renter's Insurance Is Only a Few Dollars a Month
Renter's insurance may be as little as ten dollars a month. That is quite a contrast when most homeowner's insurance will cost you at least a couple hundred dollars. This has everything to do with ownership of property and the fair market value of the property for which you are assuming ownership. It may be a shock, initially, but eventually you will realize that this big increase in insurance covers something you have never had before, and something that is really valuable--your home.
You Do Not Have to Have Renter's Insurance
Renter's insurance, while highly recommended, is entirely optional (unless your lease requires it). You do not have to buy a renter's insurance policy to protect your stuff. You run the risk of losing it all if the building should go up in flames, but you still do not have to have renter's insurance.
Homeowner's insurance, on the other hand, is never optional. You have to carry homeowner's insurance on your house, property and belongings for the entire duration of your mortgage. Even if you pay for your house in full, you still need to carry insurance on it in the event that someone damages your home or property or someone gets hurt on your property. The insurance not only restores your property, but it also protects you against the loss of your home in the event that someone sues you for injuries purportedly acquired on your property. To learn more, contact a company like Kuresman Insurance.