How To File a Renters Insurance Claim in 7 Steps

If you need to file a renters insurance claim, you’ll want to gather the necessary documentation and contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Avoid delays in filing and double-check that whatever loss you’re filing a claim for will be covered. Otherwise, your claim could be denied.

Keep reading to learn more about the renters insurance claim process, what your policy covers, and factors to consider before making a claim.

How To File a Renters Insurance Claim

Below, we’ll cover the steps you typically want to follow when filing a renters insurance claim to ensure your claim is processed quickly.

1. Contact the Police if Necessary

If there was criminal activity, such as vandalism or a burglary, you should contact the police. Ensure you record the names of the police officers you speak to and get a copy of the police report, which you can provide to your insurance company. The more evidence you have to support your claim, the faster the process will typically go and the more likely you will get your claim approved.

2. Contact Your Landlord

It is common for leases to require tenants to inform the landlord immediately of any situations in which the rented property is damaged because the landlord may need to file a claim with their own company. Renters insurance will cover your personal belongings but not the physical unit you live in.

For example, if there was a fire in your apartment unit, your renters insurance will pay for furniture that was burned, while your landlord’s insurance will pay to repair damaged walls and cabinetry. Similarly, if there was a burglary, you will be covered for your stolen items, while your landlord’s policy should cover the broken window the burglar used to enter.

3. Notify Your Renters Insurance Company

Explain the situation to your insurer, who will walk you through the claims process and what they need from you. Keep in mind that most insurance companies have a deadline after an event for you to make a claim — typically within 48 to 72 hours.^[1] However, notifying them as soon as you can is ideal. Here’s a quick reference guide on how to reach several national insurance companies to start your claim process:

4. Document Your Losses

For your renters insurance claim, you’ll need to gather evidence through documentation, photographs and video. Your insurance company will need to verify the authenticity of your claim before you receive any reimbursement, so the more evidence you have, the faster your claim process can go and the more likely you are to receive the entirety of your claim’s settlement.

For example, if your claim is about a burglary, you should supply pictures of the broken window that the burglar snuck through and receipts that confirm the value of the items stolen. If your apartment burned down, then you should take photos of the fire damages so that your insure can contribute toward your alternative housing expenses while your apartment is being repaired.

5. Complete the Paperwork

After gathering the necessary evidence for your claim, it’s time to finish filing it within the time limit allowed by your insurance company. If you’re staying in a hotel room because your apartment is being repaired, keep track of your receipts and submit them to your insurer so you can get reimbursed. Your insurer will explain the exact steps on how this will work.

6. Accept Your Settlement

After your insurance company has processed your claim, you’ll be offered a settlement. Keep in mind that you will have to pay your deductible before your insurance kick sin, which commonly ranges between $500 to $1,000.^[2]

If you disagree with the settlement amount or it is denied, you may be able to dispute the claim by submitting an appeal for your carrier review your claim again, submitting a complaint to your state’s insurance department or taking legal action.

7. Update Your Home Inventory

It is generally recommended that you keep a home inventory that documents all your belongings and receipts that confirm their value and if you’ve filed a personal property claim, it may be time to update it. For example, if you were reimbursed for a television and you bought a more expensive television from a different brand, you’ll want to update your inventory with that item’s serial number, receipt and other relevant information.

How Long Does a Renters Insurance Claim Take?

The time it takes for your renters insurance company to reimburse you for a claim can be up to one month or longer but will vary by claim and insurance company.^[3] Straightforward renters insurance claims with less extensive damages can take much less time, sometimes only a few hours.^[1]

Typical factors that affect the claim duration include how quickly the claim is filed, how much your claim is for and how much evidence you can provide readily on your claim.

How Will My Insurance Company Reimburse Me?

Your insurance company will typically reimburse you via a check, but some companies may deposit the settlement amount directly into your bank account after your deductible.^[3]

By default, you will be reimbursed for lost items at their actual ash value, which deducts for depreciation factors, although it is possible to pay extra so you can get reimbursed for whatever it costs to replace them today. This is called replacement cost coverage and can cost 10% more on average than the standard coverage.^[4]

Will My Renters Insurance Premium Go Up if I File a Claim?

Your renters insurance premium will typically increase after a claim, but how much it will increase can vary between insurance companies and the type of claim. For example, your premium could increase by up to 25% if you make an insurance claim due to fire damage.^[5]

What Are the Pros and Cons of Filing a Renters Insurance Claim?

While filing a claim can help reimburse you for damaged, destroyed or lost property, there are some downsides. Below is a table comparing the pros and cons of filing a renters insurance claim.

When Should I File a Renters Insurance Claim?

Filing your insurance claim could increase premiums or signal you as a higher-risk policyholder. However, you can avoid or reduce those consequences by reserving your claims for when you get the most bang for your buck. Here are a few examples of when it might be the right time to file a renters insurance claim:

Loss Exceeds Your Deductible

Depending on your deductible amount, it may be worth skipping your claim altogether because you won’t receive enough of a payout to make it worth it. For example, imagine you had a small house fire that damaged some belongings, resulting in a claim of $600. If your deductible were $500, you would be responsible for covering that amount, and your insurance would reimburse you only for the remaining $100 of the claim.

In addition, know that filing any claim can increase your premium when you renew your policy. As a result, you should weigh the settlement check you’ll get against the cost of paying elevated rates over time. Because of this, filing a claim becomes more worth it the more the loss exceeds your deductible.

Loss is Covered

Not every loss is covered by your renters insurance, so you’ll need to ensure your claim falls within your policy’s limitations to receive reimbursement. Generally, renters insurance covers your personal property for damage caused by the following perils in most policies:^[6]

Meanwhile, the below losses are usually excluded from coverage:

• Earthquakes 
• Floods
• Certain high-value items, like jewelry or fine art
• Roommate’s personal property who isn’t named in your policy
• Car theft or damage
• Damage to the rental property or building
• Wear and tear damage
• Intentional damage

In addition to certain perils, your renters insurance will also cover you for liability claims if you’re responsible for someone else’s injury or damage to their property. If you lose access to your rental unit, such as a mandatory evacuation or damage to the property that has left it unlivable, you may also qualify for additional living expenses for a set period of time while you can’t access your home. Your coverage typically only extends to a specific dollar limit that can differ between insurance companies, so you may not receive the total amount if your claim is too large.

It’s Been a While Since Your Last Claim

If it’s been a few years since your last claim or you’ve never made one, you’ll likely see a bump in your premium for no longer being claims-free but won’t receive further consequences. Some insurance companies, such as Liberty Mutual, only look at the last five years when determining if you get a discount on your rate for being claims-free, but it will vary by insurer.^[7]

However, excessive claims within a few years may flag you as a high-risk policyholder, which could result in higher premiums. If you are considered a high enough risk, your insurer may refuse to renew your policy, making it challenging to find a new carrier with a record of regular claims.