Recommend your renter's insurance?

mrs. h.

Subject: Recommend your renter's insurance?

My mom is moving to Brooklyn and is wondering what companies are good for renter's insurance. Any recommendations? We get our insurance from Chubb because my husband works there, but I understand they aren't the most economical.

TIA

bergenites

We use Amica for homeowner's and previously used them for Renter's. They may be a bit more expensive than others, but they are consistently rated the best, and we've never had a problem with them.

pastoralia

I have Allstate. They are decent.

A tip to gun-owners: If you have a gun- don't mention it on your application. You'll be denied.

sloper

i don't even have renter's insurance. is this somethign people should definitely have or only if you have a lot of expensive stuff in your apartment?

duffyssis

I have Travellers which is decent.

peanuts

When I rented I had Allstate, and they were good when I had a claim

quigley

I like Allstate.

alafairnadia

I called Geico and ended up with Travelers. Worked for renting, works for owning.

savekitties

MetLife.

brooklynpotter

if you have USAA for anything, and are a member,their rates are amazing and customer service top notch.

gretel

USAA is great.

sweet tea

sloper wrote: i don't even have renter's insurance. is this somethign people should definitely have or only if you have a lot of expensive stuff in your apartment?

you should definitely have it if you have anything at all in your apartment.

it's generally not very expensive.

dracomom

I have Traveller, because I also have my car insurance with them. You can get better deals if you combine your insurances.

brooklynjack

USAA also, never a complaint. Only had auto claims though but their customer srevice is outstanding.

brooklynjack

sweet tea wrote: [quote=sloper]i don't even have renter's insurance. is this somethign people should definitely have or only if you have a lot of expensive stuff in your apartment?

you should definitely have it if you have anything at all in your apartment.

it's generally not very expensive.

Not just if you own something but for liability. IF your apt leaks on the one below your covered if for nothing else they will work it out for you. Alos if you hier a housekeeper workers comp is included by New York State law

brooklynpotter

BrooklynJack wrote: USAA also, never a complaint. Only had auto claims though but their customer srevice is outstanding.

i have auto and renters. the auto premium in nyc is actually much higher than geico, et alia. but there's no way i'm ditching USAA.

dw438

The Travelers has worked for my co-op insurance. Never had a problem.
This is similar to renters' insurance, as the co-op building corp. has its own insurance.
For auto, I suggest Electric Insurance Co out of Mass.
I've been with them for over 20 years, and they do fast work in case of an accident. They also have competitive rates for New York.
I agree with previous posters about USAA. I use them for some financial matters and they are a top-notch, low-cost company with outstanding customer service.

mpmav1

PLEASE GET RENTERS INSURANCE!

It was a lifesaver for me. Back in Seattle, I took out a policy from Allstate on a whim. Long story short, 3 months after taking out the policy, someone broke into my apartment. Surprisingly, after figuring out everything they took (laptop, camera, electric guitar, wallet, cash, speakers, and some other assorted electronics, etc.), I was in the hole like $11k! You would be surprised at how much you really have in value and how quickly they can steal everything. Allstate was GREAT about it, didn't even blink twice (as I JUST took out the insurance). I was really stressed that they would at least drop me... but they cut a check right away for full replacement value.

First stop shopping for renters: your auto insurance company. If you have auto insurance, you usually get big discounts when adding renters.

To give you an idea on cost in Brooklyn... my wife and I live in a 1br, park slope south, 2nd floor, and we have complete property coverage (not just in the home, but if I get jumped walking, etc.), and coverage on our wedding rings, and it costs us like $500 a year (we have no multi-plan auto insurance discount). If you drop the "complete property coverage" and the wedding rings, I think it would be like $300 ish. And, we have a claim on our record.

Ever since my experience, I've become a big renters insurance pusher. So, everyone, please think of the stormy day and how horrible you will feel when realizing you lost all kinds of stuff... and call a renters insurance company!

lydiabrunch

Liberty Mutual. They didn't give me a hard time after my apartment was broken into last year, and they're inexpensive, though of course it depends on what you have to cover, the relative security of your building, where the closest fire hydrant is, etc. etc. Mine is around $200 for $30K coverage.

chelsea

We use Liberty Mutual and they're great!