Will Renters Insurance Cover If I Trash My Apartment?

We get this one all the time. Usually it’s phrased a little differently because people ask after they’ve already caused the damage, but the question is ultimately the same:

Will renters insurance cover me if I trash my apartment?  I’m angry with my landlord because he doesn’t like my housekeeping.  I’ll show him what bad housekeeping looks like!  After I trash the place, renters insurance will pay to clean it all up, right?

Before you make any rash decisions, let’s look at the real answer to that question.

Will Renters Insurance Cover My Trashed Apartment?

Once in a while, we get a question like this. It usually happens after an angry tenant has already trashed their apartment. So, will renters insurance cover your trashed apartment?

Will Renters Insurance Cover Me If I Trash My Apartment?

Liability coverage does not apply to property in your care, custody, or control. Fire damage would be covered regardless, but if you damage the property that’s in your control, there’s no coverage.  So if you trash the apartment, even inadvertently, that’s on you.

Will Renters Insurance Cover Me If I Intentionally Damage My Apartment To Get Back At My Landlord?

Renters insurance does not cover losses arising from intentional acts of the insured. Meaning they knew, or reasonably could or should have known the act would result in a loss. Use your words to express your displeasure, rather than maliciously causing property damage.  If you’re malicious, paying for the damage may be the least of your worries.

As a matter of general course, we don’t usually rely on Yahoo Answers as a primary source, but the below screengrab is rather relevant.