Tom and Lynn, who have Baltimore renters insurance, write in with today’s question. They ask,
Does renters insurance liability cover me outside the apartment? If I cause damage to someone’s property or injure him while I’m off the premises, will I have coverage?
Does Renters Insurance Liability Cover Me Outside My Apartment?
Does renters insurance liability cover me outside my apartment? How far does liability coverage travel with me? What happens if I hurt someone on the street? Will my renters insurance cover me?
Tom and Lynn, those are great questions. For those of you who just want the quick answer, it’s generally yes. But let’s dig a bit deeper.
Does Renters Insurance Liability Cover Me Outside The Apartment?
Before we look at the answer, let’s look at why the answer is what it is. You probably know that contents coverage on a renters insurance policy is “named perils.” It protects your property from risks named in the policy. Liability coverage on a renters insurance policy, on the other hand, is less limited. Liability covers you if you cause bodily injury or property damage to someone else. That someone else can even be a company. As long as the loss isn’t the result of an excluded cause of loss (criminal activity, intentional acts, etc.), the loss is covered.
What that means to you is that liability coverage follows you as the named insured .It’s not tied to your apartment. So if you’re at the art museum and you bump into someone who has a cup of coffee and he burns himself, your liability coverage can respond to the person you bumped into.
Does Renters Insurance Liability Cover Me Outside The Apartment?
Does Renters Insurance Liability Cover Me Outside The Apartment If I Injure A Member Of My Family?
Let’s say you’re at a family cookout. You’re playing volleyball and you spike that ball just a little too hard. Cousin Clumsy takes a ball to the face. It’s a small medical bill, just an urgent care visit, but it’s still a medical bill. Under the “but for” doctrine, you’re liable because her injuries would not have happened “but for your negligent spike of the volleyball.” We could argue the nuances of finding liability in this situation, but it’s just for example’s sake. Your renters insurance liability is tied to you as named insured, soyour renters insurance liability would cover you outside the apartment.
For more information on if your renters insurance liability will cover you outside the apartment or for a free quote on renters insurance, call Effective Coverage at (800) 892-4308 or click above for a free, instant online renters insurance quote.