Harper, who has Denver, CO renters insurance, writes in with a question that stems from her limited knowledge of how renters insurance in Denver, CO works. She asks,
Can I get renters insurance after a fire to cover the loss? We just had a kitchen fire, which caused the house to smell like smoke, so I have to stay in a hotel for a few days. Will a renters insurance policy I buy today cover this?
Can I Get Renters Insurance After A Fire To Cover The Loss?
From time to time we get asked if it is possible to get renters insurance after a fire to cover the loss. Unfortunately for Harper, if the policy didn’t exist prior to the loss then it can’t cover an incident that happened before the inception of the policy.
I think what we have here Harper is a failure to communicate. The answer is going to be the same whether you have Denver, CO renters insurance or Fargo, ND renters insurance. As a matter of fact, what you’re asking is one of the few things that is constant no matter what state you’re in.
Can I Get Renters Insurance After A Fire To Cover The Loss?
There seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding of what Colorado renters insurance is supposed to do. If everyone waited until after a loss to buy insurance, insurance wouldn’t work. There’s just no way for the numbers to make sense in that situation. Unfortunately, under no circumstances can you get renters insurance after a fire to cover the loss.
A kitchen fire is a perfect example of why you should have Colorado renters insurance. One small kitchen fire can destroy everything you own, or at the very least make it smell like smoke. Personal property coverage protects you from these risks, as well as ensures that you’re able to replace the things that have been damaged.
Did you know that your Colorado renters insurance policy covers loss of use from a covered peril? This means that if you had a policy in force, all expenses that occurred when you were unable to use your apartment would be covered. That’s what renters insurance is for and why it’s so important to maintain the coverage.
Can I Sue My Landlord Because He Didn’t Force Me To Buy Renters Insurance?
Although it is a common requirement, your landlord is not obligated to force you to protect your own property. Therefore no, you cannot sue your landlord for not forcing you to buy renters insurance. While in theory you can sue for just about anything, it certainly wouldn’t be a good use of resources to do so. You’re better off using those resources to rebuild your life, rather than trying to sue someone who has zero responsibility for your personal property. Buying renters insurance for future risks is a smart move, but regrettably it cannot help you with losses that have already occurred.