Renter's Insurance

I used to have renter's insurance from State Farm--found a local office online. It was really easy to set up.

we've always had state farm, and have been quite happy. we did unfortunately have to make a claim (in Chicago, not here) and they were very responsive and professional. a few things we learned -

jot down the serial numbers and models of anything you'd be sad to see disappear.

save original receipts of the big ticket items - tvs, computers, etc.

take a picture of said items, for condition purposes. same goes for jewelery. if you have a piece of jewelery that is worth more than your deductible (often $500), you should consider getting it appraised. If no appraisal, then at least get a good close up pic of it.

take a picture of collections - if you have 600 CDs, and they go up in smoke, it's the best way to prove you had them. same goes for books on shelves, oodles of software, etc.

don't hide valuables in easy to find places. my grandma's pearls were in with my undies, and poof - gone.

put all this documentation *off site* - safe deposit box, mom's house - if there's a fire, then, well, your fault for leaving everything at home.

make sure you get *replacement value* coverage. you want a new TV to replace your old one, not a used $20 dealie cause you had yours for 10 years, and it was a piece of crap. costs a tiny but more, but worth it. especially if there's a fire.

Your insurance should cover all of your possession, wherever they are - in storage, at your office, etc. if it doesn't, look for another policy.

finally, check your limits - if you have something that's worth scads of money, then get a rider.

I think our annual premium is $230? something like that. and when the police showed up when we were robbed (22 and newly married, all innocent and doe eyed) they were floored that we were covered.. they said we were the 1st "kids" all year that had coverage. the only silver lining to the whole awful experience..

I had Allstate as a renter and never had a problem with them, although I never had to make a claim. You should be able to get quite a bit of coverage for about $200 per year. If you have an alarm, or window bars or other "safety devices," make sure you let them know when you get your insurance. You should be able to get a break on it (at least 5%, which isn't a lot, but better in your pocket than theirs).

Subject: Try this

BrookFetish wrote: Thanks, folks!

Gotham Insurance in Manhattan has policies. Mine is from The Travelers.
Cheap, easy, direct debit, not to worry.

rbenghiat wrote: we've always had state farm, and have been quite happy. we did unfortunately have to make a claim (in Chicago, not here) and they were very responsive and professional. a few things we learned -

jot down the serial numbers and models of anything you'd be sad to see disappear.

save original receipts of the big ticket items - tvs, computers, etc.

take a picture of said items, for condition purposes. same goes for jewelery. if you have a piece of jewelery that is worth more than your deductible (often $500), you should consider getting it appraised. If no appraisal, then at least get a good close up pic of it.

take a picture of collections - if you have 600 CDs, and they go up in smoke, it's the best way to prove you had them. same goes for books on shelves, oodles of software, etc.

don't hide valuables in easy to find places. my grandma's pearls were in with my undies, and poof - gone.

put all this documentation *off site* - safe deposit box, mom's house - if there's a fire, then, well, your fault for leaving everything at home.

make sure you get *replacement value* coverage. you want a new TV to replace your old one, not a used $20 dealie cause you had yours for 10 years, and it was a piece of crap. costs a tiny but more, but worth it. especially if there's a fire.

Your insurance should cover all of your possession, wherever they are - in storage, at your office, etc. if it doesn't, look for another policy.

finally, check your limits - if you have something that's worth scads of money, then get a rider.

I think our annual premium is $230? something like that. and when the police showed up when we were robbed (22 and newly married, all innocent and doe eyed) they were floored that we were covered.. they said we were the 1st "kids" all year that had coverage. the only silver lining to the whole awful experience..

If that's not good advice, I don't know what is! I'll be snapping a looooott of photos when I get home tonight, never thought of that! thanks!

I have allstate's basic renter's insurance. i think it cost me about $250 a year

rbenghiat provided some damn good advice. i'll be taking snap shots of my cds tomorrow.