The Fort Worth area is growing ever larger than it already is. Infrastructure has largely kept pace, but power surges are possible here just like anywhere else. With the number of people moving to the area apartments have become more expensive. Apartment communities will expect you to have Fort Worth, TX Renters Insurance as well. The landlord wants you to be covered by liability, of course. They want to make sure you can pay for any damages you cause. But your policy also covers your personal property against named perils. One of those perils is power surges.
What happens when there’s a power surge? How does your renters insurance protect you? Let’s start with a tale of two renters.
Jessica lives at Bellagio at Beach Street apartments. She suffered a power surge that damaged her television. No one’s fault, really. The television was the only thing damaged, and barely met her deductible. Should she file a renters insurance claim?
Ashley lives at Antigua Village apartments. She also suffered a power surge, but wasn’t home and the power surge damaged her power strip, starting a small fire. Also not really anyone’s fault, but the damages are a bit more severe. Should she file a renters insurance claim?
Does Renters Insurance Cover Damage To Electronics From A Power Surge?
No. Damage to electronics from a power surge is specifically excluded from the coverage. This is because you take a calculated risk when you plug something into the power grid. If power surges are a risk in your area, there are precautions you can take in the form of surge protectors, uninterruptible power supplied, and similar devices. While UPS power was once the domain of large companies, you can now buy a power supply with battery backup and surge protection online at a very low cost.
How Does Renters Insurance Protect Me From A Power Surge? Painful Perils Explained Easily
If you’re concerned about power surges, get a surge protector. They’re very affordable, and most offer additional outlets. Since outlets are usually in short supply in apartments, that’s an added bonus. Just make sure you don’t overload the circuit and risk a fire. Damage to things that are plugged into the power from a power surge is not covered by your renters insurance.
Jessica will need to replace her TV. Fortunately, TVs are not generally expensive. A claim for one item probably isn’t worth filing even when there is coverage. Insurance is designed to cover sudden and accidental losses that you can’t afford to cover, not minor day to day situations that happen to everyone.
Does Renters Insurance Cover Damage Secondary To A Power Surge?
Yes. Ashley has coverage for the fire caused by a power surge. There are a number of ways that a power surge could cause such damage. There’s the obvious fire risk, of course. If the power surge causes damage to the breaker box and the building isn’t inhabitable while repairs are made, you may have loss of use coverage for your additional living expenses.
There’s a significant risk if you have a transformer in your building. Not the kind they make movies about, the kind that takes line voltage and turns it into usable current for your home. When transformers get hit with a major power surge, serious damage can occur. They can explode, cause fires, and even leak toxic chemicals in limited cases. Again, here’s a scenario where you might have loss of use coverage.
Are Power Surges Common?
Power surges are more common than you think, and Fort Worth, TX Renters Insurance can help to protect you. Remember that if you live in a multifamily dwelling, your life is impacted by the people around you and their actions. Their fire is your fire. Their overloaded outlet is a a potential source of your power surge. It makes sense to protect yourself because all of the people around you introduce additional risk. You might live carefully, but their lifestyle impacts you.
A power surge isn’t a common event, but it happens often enough that it’s a risk you should insure against. Your policy protects against a broad list of named perils. That’s why the HO-4 tenant policy form is called a “broad form.” To find out more about renters insurance in Texas and how you can protect your family, click or call an insurance expert today! Just call (800)892-4308 or click to get covered - whether you need Fort Worth, TX renters insurance quotes online or coverage anywhere else!
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