If you live in the Pacific Northwest you know in the back of your mind that volcanic eruption is a small possibility. Would Gresham, OR Renters Insurance protect you from the resulting loss? At least one volcano in Oregon has erupted in recent history. Mount Hood had confirmed activity a little more than a century ago. That may sound like a long time, but it’s quite short on geologic scales.
Many people are aware of a few of the named perils that their renters insurance covers, such as fire. But there’s much more to your policy than that. You probably have a policy because your landlord requires it. They want to know you have liability coverage, of course. But have you ever wondered what the policy does for you? That’s why we’re exploring the perils covered by renters insurance in this series.
What Is The Renters Insurance Peril Of Volcanic Eruption? How Does My Policy Protect Me?
While volcanic eruption is unlikely, it’s certainly still possible. People generally think in the short term – years, decades, or a lifetime. Prediction of future geologic activity happens on a much larger scale. That decreases the long-term accuracy. It’s possible to predict that a volcano will do something based on seismic activity, but what that something is might not be clear.
Volcanoes always come with earth movement. That earth movement is often limited to the immediate area, which protects populated areas farther out. That’s fortunate, because earth movement is not covered by a renters insurance policy. The earth movement is not a primary concern here, of course. Volcanic eruption is potentially much more serious.

How Does Renters Insurance Protect Me From Volcanic Eruption? Painful Perils Explained Easily
Your renters insurance policy protects you in several ways. If an eruption results in damage to your personal property, the damage is likely to be severe. Your policy would pay the cost to replace your personal property that was lost to the volcanic eruption or lava flow. This also includes coverage for the resulting fires, as well as coverage for explosions. Renters insurance covers smoke damage as well.
In addition, you’ll find coverage for debris removal. Specifically, this applies to:
- Ash, dust, or particles from a volcanic eruption
- Which has caused a direct loss
- To covered property in a building
Volcanic eruption is a peril that really only applies to personal property. If you cause a fire your liability responds to other people who suffer a loss as a result. But no one is liable for the volcanic eruption.
Do I Have To Buy Volcanic Eruption Coverage If I Don’t Think It’s Likely To Happen?
Is volcanic eruption likely? Probably not today. Tomorrow? Perhaps. The reason that your renters policy is called a “broad form” is that it protects against a number of different types of losses. The policies are standardized to cover you from the most likely and most devastating events. Your Gresham, OR Renters Insurance comes with coverage for many perils because they’re part of the policy.
In the same way that you can’t remove loss of use coverage or medical payments coverage from your policy, the perils are what they are. You can add different types of coverage with endorsements, but the base policy is what it is. Fortunately, renters insurance is quite affordable. Policies generally cost about fifteen dollars a month, and often can cost less.
Speaking of loss of use coverage, it could be triggered in a volcanic eruption claim even if you don’t directly suffer damage. The key is that first, nearby homes or infrastructure must suffer a loss that puts your own home at risk. Second, you must be ordered by a civil authority to evacuate as a result. In that situation, you’d have coverage for your additional living expenses.
How Can I Get Proof Of Renters Insurance Today?
Effective Coverage can help you get proof of renters insurance today. One quick phone call to our insurance experts is all it takes. Just call (800)892-4308 or click to get covered - whether you need Gresham, OR renters insurance quotes online or coverage anywhere else!
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