Jaclyn, who has renters insurance in Boulder, CO, writes in with a question about specific perils covered.
I’ve been living in my apartment for quite a few years and the neighborhood hasn’t exactly improved. I’m still a grad student, so moving isn’t really an option for me. Does renters insurance cover a break-in? There have been a few lately and I just want to make sure I’m protected.
Great question Jaclyn. Let’s look into it.
Will Renters Insurance Cover A Break In?
Many people are concerned about theft, and the first thing that comes to mind is a break-in. Does renters insurance cover burglary? The answer may surprise you, let’s take a look.
If you’re looking to see if renters insurance covers a break-in, you need to look at the covered perils. On the standard HO-4 Colorado renters insurance policy, theft is a covered peril named in the policy. That means that the actual theft itself creates a covered loss. It doesn’t matter much whether your purse is stolen or someone breaks into your apartment while you’re gone, theft is a covered peril.
Does Renters Insurance Cover Break-Ins?
On the other hand, you do have a duty to mitigate the risk. While we’ve addressed this in more detail elsewhere, this basically means that you have a duty to act with reasonable prudence and caution. If there have been break-ins in your neighborhood recently, don’t make it easy for them. Practice basic home safety by making sure your doors and windows are locked when you leave the house, or by putting a dowel in the track of your sliding glass door to make sure it can’t be lifted up and out, etc. As long as you’re not acting carelessly, the answer to Jaclyn’s question is yes.
Does Renters Insurance Cover A Break-In At Replacement Cost?
That depends on if you have the replacement cost endorsement on your policy, which most people generally do. Although you should read your policy for full details, replacement cost is pretty standard for most new renters insurance policies. There are a few out there without it, so make sure you look into it.
Does Renters Insurance Cover A Break-In If They’re Malicious?
If someone breaks into your apartment and steals your stereo, but then steals the copper pipe out of your walls, is the water damage covered? First of all, the pipes are 100% not your problem. They belong to the apartments, and you didn’t cause the damage. That being said, water damage from pipes generally is a covered loss. That would be specific to the phrasing of your policy though, so make sure you read it carefully!
Contact Effective Coverage at (800)892-4308 for more information on renters insurance in general, or to find out does renters insurance cover a break-in.